Cranfield Australian Alumni » Frequently asked questions

The Cranfield MBA dramatically increases your skills – it’s not about acquiring letters after your name, rather about how much you will learn in an intensive learning environment from world leading academic staff and your peers—students from all over the world who have real work experience and a track record of success.

Cranfield alumni have gone on to high levels of achievement, either in the corporate world or running their own businesses, e.g. John McFarlane (MBA 1975) formerly CEO ANZ Bank; Martin Dalgliesh (MBA 1997) formerly CEO – New Media, Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd, Miles Flint (MBA 1982) President, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications; Elena Ambrosiadou (1988) the second highest paid woman in the UK after J K Rowling (at GBP13 million!).

The Economist Intelligence Unit 2005 worldwide rankings places Cranfield at No. 32 overall and for “alumni effectiveness” it is ranked 13 in the world. (Monash Business School and Melbourne Business Schools are ranked 59 and 99 on the overall rankings).

Doing the Cranfield MBA will give you the chance to spend 12 months intensively developing yourself and broadening your skill base. It puts you in control of your career, rather than you being dependent on the organisation finding the next challenge for you. Attending Cranfield is about escalating your personal development and playing in a much bigger and demanding pond.

What will I learn that will be useful? I’m not really interested in theory. What I learn needs to be practical and directly relevant. The MBA seems to go over the same ground as my first degree.

The course content is demanding, intense and incredibly interesting. It is not the 101 version. The subject matter is researched and taught by the world ranking experts.

Cranfield covers foundation topics to a rigorous level and then you can specialise in particular themes e.g. innovation, organisational change.

Cranfield don’t just teach the theory, they teach how to implement the theory. It is a practical approach that is achieved through business simulations, company based projects and a crisis management exercise.

Isn’t an MBA really for the “corporate types”? I am doing well in that regard, I’m not sure that I see my career as climbing the corporate ladder in the longer term.

The breadth and intensity of learning from the Cranfield MBA dramatically increases your options – you will acquire the skills to move any where in the organisation, to follow your passion into a new career, or to run your own business and succeed.

Many graduates do change careers. Or go on to head up major organisations. Or set up their own businesses. For people who want to run their own business there is no better place than Cranfield to study – it is a worldwide leader in entrepreneurship and enterprise studies.

Isn’t an MBA the degree you do when you don’t know what you want to do or aren’t bright enough to do anything else?

People who choose to do MBA are intelligent and have decided that a Masters degree in business suits their personal needs for further learning and personal development.

Cranfield takes outstanding people from all over the world. Its current GMAT average score is 660 (the top 13% of the population).

More importantly, Cranfield requires far greater work experience than most other Post-graduate schools.

I don’t have an undergraduate degree

Cranfield also accepts applicants who may lack an undergraduate degree because it assesses on a broader range of criteria than other schools, including your work track record.

If I get a Cranfield MBA will people say “wow”?

The Cranfield Full-Time MBA has a top international reputation and is ranked by the UK’s Financial Times Executive Education Rankings of 2006 as No. 2 in UK, No. 5 in Europe and No.15 in the World. The Economist Intelligence Unit worldwide rankings has Cranfield at No. 32 in the world. (Monash and Melbourne Business Schools are ranked 59 and 99).

Top ranking international companies recruit from Cranfield including McKinsey, Citibank, American Express.

Just the experience of applying for the scholarship will be invaluable – short-listed applicants will experience the ANZ top management screening process. Finalists will get a personal feedback report from an internationally renowned executive search organisation.

I want to learn something satisfying and stimulating and experience new things.

Attending Cranfield also allows you to travel internationally and to experience life in the English countryside.
Cranfield is in the country (Bedfordshire) close enough to Milton Keynes and London to provide the bright lights of civilisation while allowing you to experience the English countryside (decent pubs and a rural lifestyle). The quietness of the countryside intensifies the very demanding environment.
Most people who attend Cranfield will talk about what they got out of it personally.

Can I work overseas?

Cranfield is one of the world’s elite business schools whose MBA graduates automatically qualify for the British government’s Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). This means that international Cranfield MBA graduates who want to work in the UK will find the process of applying for a work permit faster and simplified.”

I also want to have fun

Whilst the course is demanding, with lots of hard work it’s incredibly rewarding in terms of learning and personal development. People from all over the world become lifelong friends. You get involved in a great social community. Big assignment deadlines are often followed by some memorable parties!

How do I fund the course

The Cranfield Australian Alumni Scholarship will cover all the course fees and make a major contribution to the airfare and living expenses for one (or make a good contribution for those who wish to take partners/ families).

People who apply for the scholarship and don’t win may be eligible for reduced a Fee Share scholarship which reduces the fees payable. This can bring the total amount required for fees and living expense to less than the cost of the full time MBA at AGSM or Melbourne Business school currently $50,000 AUD. Cranfield is ranked above both of these internationally.

ANZ also offers a loan scheme at a very competitive interest rates (read more)

Will I earn more?

Over 90% of Cranfield MBAs have a job within 90 days of completing the course. Most 2005 graduates doubled their salary after leaving Cranfield. Cranfield graduates command some of the highest salaries in Europe for new graduates.

I’m not sure that I can afford to take a year out. It’s a huge investment in time

Cranfield crams the equivalent academic workload load of the two year MBA courses into 12 months. It is a pressure cooker environment which dramatically increases the intensity and quality of the learning.

Will I get left behind by taking time out? Others could overtake me or I could do the course and then just end up in the same place.

What you learn at Cranfield will give you a shot at the jobs which you would never consider and never be considered for at the moment.

The one year compressed course that Cranfield offers is a very time-effective investment. Less time away. Less time without an income. Less time for others to leapfrog you. A one year investment for a 20 year career is good sense.

What about my partner/family?

Accommodation for students with partners and families is obtainable. The social environment at Cranfield is very partner friendly.

How will this make me stand out from the rest?

Cranfield has an international reputation. There are very few Australians who have an MBA from an internationally recognised school. Many outstanding business leaders have attended Cranfield.

The scholarship award event is a high profile business event which will attract major publicity.

Applicants for the scholarship will benefit from the opportunity to network with senior business leaders and top ranking search organisations. The Cranfield Alumni in Australia have unique and personal journeys that typify the benefits of the Cranfield learning experience.

Applicants for the Scholarship will build their profile even if they don’t win.

What if I cannot attend the ‘Meet the Alumni’ session? Will it affect my application?

The ‘Meet the Alumni’ sessions are a wonderful opportunity to meet alumni members and hear about their experience at Cranfield and how their Cranfield MBA has contributed to their careers. It is not compulsory to attend, however, you will benefit personally from the experience.

What is I am over 34yrs of age?

There is no upper age limit to be eligible for the scholarship. The lower age limit is stated as 28 because you do need to have at least 4 years work experience before applying.

I have a young family. Will this weigh against me when applying for the scholarship?

Many students studying at Cranfield have young families. Because of the age group this scholarship is geared for, it would not be a surprise that the recipient has a young family.

Is it possible to attend the “Meet the Alumni’ session if I do not think I am quite ready to apply for the scholarship?

You would be welcome at the ‘Meet the Alumni’ sessions if you think you may like to apply in future years. It will be an opportunity for you to find out what you need to do in the next couple of years before applying.

What should I do if I meet all the criteria but have not had enough work experience?

You need to wait and apply once you do have more than 4 years work experience as this is a major eligibility requirement, however, you are most welcome to attend the ‘Meet the Alumni’ sessions for you to find out what you need to do in the next couple of years before applying.

Am I still eligible if I am an Australian national or Permanent Resident but have been using an overseas base for the past few years?

You need to be a resident in Australia at the time of applying to be eligible for the scholarship.

Can I still apply for the scholarship if I have completed an MBA previously?

The Cranfield MBA is quite a different experience from many other MBA’s . The student population is older with more experience and the course is intensive as it is completed within 1 year rather than the normal 2 years. For this reason, it does not matter if you have previously completed an MBA. You will still gain a lot of new knowledge.

What is the GMAT and how is the score calculated?

Go to GMAT for more information

Does it matter which if I work in a not-for-profit/cultural sector?

The scholarship is designed for future business leaders. It does not matter which sector the business is in. You would be eligible what ever business sector you currently work in.

Can you apply for the scholarship if your undergraduate degree is from a university overseas?

It does not matter where your undergraduate degree is from (in fact, you do not need to have completed an undergraduate degree). What matters is that you are an Australian citizen and reside in Australia when you apply, and you qualify under the other eligibility criteria.

What is the average age and profile of an Cranfield MBA candidate?

The average age is 31 and all students are required to have a significant working history. In other words, they are not recent undergraduates. This means you learn as much from the other students in your year who are from all over the world, as you do from Cranfield staff, who are at the top of their field.
This web page gives additional information so have a browse.

http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/mba/mbaprogramme/studentprofiles.asp

How long is the GMAT results valid for?

It is valid for 5 years.

Can I resit the exam?

Yes. A maximum of five time per calendar year and you must leave 31 days
between resits.

Despite my plans I can’t now fit the Scholarship in. When will it be run again?

Each year, and the closing date for applications is the first Friday in March. Check the website for details and exact dates.

Would I need to apply separately for a Fee-share scholarship or am I ‘automatically entered’ with my scholarship application?

You automatically get considered for the Fee Share as part of your application.

What documents should be sent to the MBA Admissions Office at Cranfield School of Management?

All applicants should send the following documents to the MBA Admissions Office at Cranfield School of Management:
2 copies of the application forms
2 sealed envelopes containing your references Personal record form
2 copies of your degree and/or professional certificates GMAT and IELTS or TOEFL scores, where appropriate.

The address at the top of the application form is:
MBA Admissions Cranfield School of Management Cranfield,
Bedford, England, MK43 0AL

Is it possible to work part time while studying?

Working whilst studying is simply NOT possible. The lecture contact hours are about 22 per week ( 3 for each of seven subjects in term one). But the total study hours required for reading, learning team work and homework on top of the conatc hours is about 50! The students are flat out just dealing with the workload let alone having time to work

If funding is an issue, ANZ offer a loan scheme to allow people to borrow $50,000 with no repayments for three years at 10% interest which is a great deal. Once in the UK , Cranfield graduates get fast track visa approval to work.

Many students who take out loans to fund their MBA, make arrangement with their first employers post Cranfield to either pay of their loan in part or full.

Can I provide business references with my application? Will that have a negative impact?

We will accept two business references and this will not have a negative impact on your application. A number of candidates have problems obtaining an academic reference due to the time lapsed since they were at University.

What is the composition of the groups that make up the assignment, i.e., professions, ethnicity e.t.c.

Composition of the groups that make up the assignment: during a students time at Cranfield they will be a member of several learning teams. When students arrive they are placed in a learning team for Term 1 the composition of which is determined to achieve maximum diversity that is students are not only drawn from different nationalities and cultures but al industries, qualifications, experiences and values.

In term 2 students change teams but after the observations and feedback on their team performances in Term 1 we can also include factors such as personality type in determining team members.

In Terms 3 and 4 – where students take back control of their learning by choosing from a range of thematic electives – students choose the teams they will join according to the electives chosen and the particular projects they are interested in. In terms 3 and 4 students could be in seven or eight teams.

Opportunity to undertake a language study as a joint degree with the Cranfield MBA (within Cranfield’s University) with a focus also on say International Relations or East Asian Studies: Cranfield is a business school not a language school.

Cranfield expects students to focus on business subjects. That said students must have a working knowledge of a second language in order to graduate and provides – free of charge – tutoring in second languages for those students who do not have a knowledge of a second language.

Generally students in this position take Spanish or French. In addition Cranfield will facilitate ex curricula – for a charge – lessons in a range of languages for students who already speak more than one language but want to learn more. Costs vary but students can within in reason choose what to study if they are prepared to pay.

Can I do practical work in an area of interest, e.g. IT entrepreneur in India or a non-profit organisation performing reconstruction work in Africa

Practical work in an area of interest, e.g. IT entrepreneur in India or a non-profit organisation performing reconstruction work in Africa.

In Part II of the Programme ie, terms 3 and 4 students can choose to undertake one or occasionally two ‘independent projects’. These are generally undertaken for an external organisation eg, a commercial firm, a charity and can involve overseas travel but in all cases the projects have to be accommodated whilst also studying thematic electives.

In addition all students undertake the International Business Experience. For most students this involves an organised trip to a country – China, India, Japan etc to visit companies but students are offered – and a small number take up – the alternative opportunity to work on a specific project in a developing country eg setting up a small business in Ghana

What types of clubs/societies are available at Cranfield?

Types of clubs/societies available at Cranfield: there are a wide range of clubs/societies ranging from sports to jobs.

Some clubs go on year after year eg, rugby, football, sailing. Others depend on student interest and include a drama club and every year the students form a band. As regards their studies there is an entrepreneurial society, a corporate responsibility society and a range of clubs dealing with industrial sectors eg, finance.

These industrial clubs are driven by the students and will vary from year to year.

We understand entirely that getting things lined up to go overseas for a year to study is major logistical issue. People have financial commitments, spouses, often young children, work projects etc which are all part of their lives and it takes time to make all the necessary arrangements. That’s why we keep track of where people are and what year they think they may apply. If you need to change it, just email us and we will move you to a later year.

In terms in likelihood of winning the scholarship, possibly it may be the case that as the number of applicants grow in future years, then you will be competing to win the scholarship amongst a larger pool.

But as we are only in the early years of offering the scholarship, it is difficult to say for certain that this will be the case. However, it is the desire of the alumni to fund more than one scholarship in the future years. So there may be more scholarship places on offer.

As one of the 2007 finalist had his 40th birthday at Cranfield, neither is age a disadvantaging factor.

So our advice is, take the time you need to get your life organised, so that you (and family) can go, ready to throw yourself into the experience and get the maximum out of it. If this means you delay your application one or more times - then that’s fine.

Frequently asked questions

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