For ambitious Indian students with a keen eye on a specialized, industry-focused postgraduate education, Cranfield University represents a pinnacle of academic and research excellence. As a completely postgraduate institution, Cranfield offers a mature and focused learning environment, making it a top choice, especially for its world-renowned programs in aerospace, manufacturing, logistics, and management. Its strong industry links translate into an exceptional graduate employability rate (96%), offering a significant return on investment that is a key decision factor for Indian families.
This guide provides a comprehensive and verified breakdown of Cranfield University's courses and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year, tailored specifically for Indian students. We will delve into the exact tuition fees for popular programs, explain additional costs, detail scholarship opportunities for Indians, and clarify the university's crucial deposit refund policy. All fee data is sourced from Cranfield's official 2025-2026 fee schedule to ensure maximum accuracy.
Programs Offered at Cranfield University
Cranfield's academic structure is unique. It does not offer undergraduate programs. Instead, it focuses exclusively on advanced degrees that are highly respected by employers globally. For Indian students, the main program types are:
- Taught Master's Degrees (MSc, MA, MBA): These are intensive, typically one-year courses designed to build deep specialist knowledge.
- Research Degrees (PhD, EngD, MPhil): Programs focused on original research, contributing new insights to a specific field.
- Postgraduate Diplomas (PgDip) & Certificates (PgCert): Shorter programs for professional development or as a pathway to a full Master's degree.
Cranfield University Tuition Fees for Indian Students (2025-2026)
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition fees for international students at Cranfield University vary significantly based on the program's technical nature and department. As a guideline, Indian students can expect the following annual tuition fee ranges:
- Taught Master's (MSc/MA): £24,720 to £38,340
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): £47,335
- Research Degrees (PhD): £22,620 (non-technical) to £27,720 (technical)
In Indian Rupees, this translates to an approximate annual range of:
- Taught Master's (MSc/MA): ₹25.8 Lakhs to ₹40 Lakhs
- Master of Business Administration (MBA): ₹49.5 Lakhs
- Research Degrees (PhD): ₹23.6 Lakhs to ₹29 Lakhs
Note: INR values are calculated at an exchange rate of 1 GBP = ₹104.5. This is for indicative purposes only. Please check the current exchange rate before making any financial commitments.
Popular Courses & Fees at Cranfield University for Indian Students
Cranfield's reputation is built on its world-leading specialist courses. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most popular programs for Indian students, with verified fees for the 2025-2026 intake.
Popular Taught Master's (MSc) Courses: Engineering & Technology
This is Cranfield's flagship area, attracting a large number of Indian students to its state-of-the-art facilities.
Program Name |
School |
Duration |
Annual Tuition Fee (GBP) |
Annual Tuition Fee (Approx. INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design |
Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing |
1 Year |
£29,670 |
₹31,00,515 |
MSc in Automotive Mechatronics |
Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing |
1 Year |
£26,580 |
₹27,77,610 |
MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering |
Water, Energy and Environment |
1 Year |
£26,580 |
₹27,77,610 |
MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence |
Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing |
1 Year |
£26,580 |
₹27,77,610 |
MSc in Robotics |
Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing |
1 Year |
£26,580 |
₹27,77,610 |
MSc in Renewable Energy |
Water, Energy and Environment |
1 Year |
£26,580 |
₹27,77,610 |
MSc in Digital Forensics |
Cranfield Defence and Security |
1 Year |
£32,160 |
₹33,60,720 |
The fee structure here clearly reflects the specialist nature of Cranfield's offerings. You'll notice that flagship courses like Aerospace Vehicle Design carry a premium, which is justified by the unique facilities and industry connections provided. Interestingly, several high-demand tech courses like AI, Robotics, and Mechanical Engineering are priced identically, allowing students to choose based on interest rather than cost. The higher fee for Digital Forensics points to the highly specialized labs and software required for the curriculum.
Popular Taught Master's (MSc/MBA) Courses: Management
The Cranfield School of Management is triple-accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) and ranks among the best in the world. Its Logistics and Supply Chain Management program is consistently ranked #1 in the UK.
Program Name |
School |
Duration |
Annual Tuition Fee (GBP) |
Annual Tuition Fee (Approx. INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management |
School of Management |
1 Year |
£31,775 |
₹33,20,487 |
MSc in Management |
School of Management |
13 Months |
£33,770 |
₹35,28,965 |
MSc in Finance and Management |
School of Management |
1 Year |
£28,470 |
₹29,75,115 |
MSc in Strategic Marketing |
School of Management |
1 Year |
£28,470 |
₹29,75,115 |
The Cranfield MBA (Full-time) |
School of Management |
1 Year |
£47,335 |
₹49,46,507 |
The data for the School of Management reveals a clear pricing strategy. The world-renowned MSc in Logistics and the slightly longer MSc in Management sit at the top of the Master's fee scale, reflecting their premier status and high ROI. The full-time MBA is the university's most expensive program, positioned as a transformative career investment for experienced professionals. It's important for Indian applicants to note that the fees for the Finance and Marketing MSc programs are more accessible, offering a strong entry point into a globally recognized business school.
Research Degrees (PhD/EngD) Fees
For students pursuing a career in academia or industrial R&D, Cranfield's research programs offer deep specialization. Fees are categorized by the technical nature of the research.
Program Name |
Project Type |
Duration |
Annual Tuition Fee (GBP) |
Annual Tuition Fee (Approx. INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
Technical |
3 Years |
£27,720 |
₹28,96,740 |
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
Non-Technical |
3 Years |
£22,620 |
₹23,63,790 |
Doctor of Engineering (EngD) |
Technical |
4 Years |
£27,720 |
₹28,96,740 |
As shown in the table, the primary cost differentiator for a PhD is the lab and resource usage. 'Technical' PhDs in areas like aerospace or manufacturing command a higher fee than 'Non-Technical' research in fields like management or policy. This is a crucial detail for prospective Indian research scholars when planning their funding strategy. The EngD, with its strong industrial collaboration focus, is priced in line with a technical PhD.
Ancillary and Other Fees
It is critical for Indian students to budget for costs beyond tuition. Cranfield is transparent about these additional fees.
- Tuition Fee Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of £500 is typically required to secure your place after receiving an offer. This is part of your total tuition fee.
- Additional Fee Element (AFE): For some research degrees (PhD/EngD), an AFE or "bench fee" is charged to cover the costs of specialist lab equipment, consumables, and technical support. This can range from £2,500 (non-technical) to £7,500 (technical) per year and is a significant additional cost to factor in.
- Application Fee: Cranfield University does not charge an application fee for its postgraduate programs, which is a welcome benefit for applicants.
- Health Insurance: The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is accessible to students on a Student Visa. The cost is covered by the mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is paid as part of the visa application and is approximately £776 per year.
Payment Schedule, Refund Policy & Scholarships
Financial planning is paramount. Here’s what you need to know about payments, refunds, and financial aid.
Payment Schedule
After paying the initial deposit, students can typically pay their tuition fees in installments. The common schedule for self-funded students is two installments: 50% during registration in October and the remaining 50% in the following January.
Visa Refusal Refund Policy
This is a major point of concern for Indian students. Cranfield's policy is clear and fair. While the £500 deposit is generally non-refundable, the university will consider a refund in specific exceptional circumstances, most notably:
- Visa Refusal: If your UK Student Visa is refused, you can apply for a deposit refund. However, this is conditional. The refund is unlikely if the refusal was due to fraudulent information or if you did not follow visa guidance. A £180 administration charge is typically retained from any refunded deposit.
- Failure to Meet Conditions: If you fail to meet the academic or English language conditions of your offer after paying the deposit.
You must apply for a refund with documentary evidence (like the official visa refusal letter) within one month of your course start date.
Scholarships for Indian Students
Cranfield offers numerous scholarships, including several specifically for Indian nationals. It is highly recommended to apply for these to reduce the financial burden.
- Cranfield School of Management India Scholarship: A dedicated scholarship for Indian nationals applying to a full-time MSc at the School of Management. This offers a substantial £10,000 award towards tuition fees.
- GREAT Scholarship for India: A partnership with the British Council, offering £10,000 to an Indian student applying for select postgraduate Master's degrees in science, technology, and engineering.
- Cranfield Merit Scholarships: Automatically considered for most international applicants based on academic merit. These scholarships can cover up to 15% of the tuition fee.
- JN Tata Endowment & Other External Loans: Cranfield is a recognized institution for educational loans from Indian trusts like the JN Tata Endowment and financial institutions like Prodigy Finance and Lendwise.