Cranfield University

Institution Info

Positioned between traditional universities and business and industry, we combine the academic rigour and long-term perspective of a university with the commercial and business focus of industry. Cranfield operates in a global context. Our competitive advantage is based, primarily, upon three characteristics:

* our focus upon sectors, private, public and charitable, rather than traditional academic disciplines: hence all Schools embrace staff from a wide range of academic disciplines
* our concern for and delight in the practical outcome of our work
* our willingness to address defence.

We educate students at postgraduate level on both professional development and degree-awarding courses; they come either to enhance an already chosen career, or to move to a new one.

We bring a range of multidisciplinary skills to bear in addressing a number of fields including:

* Aerospace
* Automotive
* Energy
* Environment
* Healthcare
* Manufacturing
* Security and defence

We undertake a full spectrum of research from basic through to application in order to serve society and inform our teaching.

Cranfield’s aim is to transform all its knowledge to practical application. This is mainly achieved through the work of its students and through its work for sponsoring clients.

In order to achieve its aim and deliver its mission, the University has a number of wholly-owned subsidiary companies that provide flexibility and return on investment to the University.

Cranfield has two basic criteria for performance which are interdependent – academic excellence and financial viability. Financial health is essential to support the academic work of the University.

The prime financial objective is the generation of cash sufficient to sustain present operations and provide ongoing investment for the future.

Cranfield’s organisational style is one of devolution and empowerment, within an overall collective vision and strategic direction. Devolution of decision-making is to a level at which decisions can most appropriately be made by those who fully understand their consequences, recognising that such empowerment will on occasions lead to mistakes which are inevitable in a learning process.