Current Cranfield MBA comments...

Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted May 30, 2013 19:23

I had this note from someone I helped last year who is now studying at Cranfield. With their permission, I am sharing it here. I hope it's useful!

"I have had a very positive experience with Cranfield.

The best thing I would have to say is that it is a very experienced cohort on the full time MBA. I think the average age on the cohort is 32 and we only take 74 students so you get a very much 1-2-1 experience here. They have a lot of emphasis on Personal Development here as well - it is a module that runs throughout the MBA. The Careers team is also impressive as we have about 6 people looking after only 74 for of us so they are very approachable.

Worst thing about Cranfield - it is vey much out in the sticks so for people who enjoy a bit of variety/city life it may not be for them. I would also have like to experienced a more forward looking module as in "what are the business leaders of today saying about what the future hold for business."

A couple of modules do seem a little bit "tired" but they are having an overhaul this summer and replacing the core/optional modules that they provide.

Overall though I have been very impressed with the MBA here."

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maubia

209 418

Posted May 30, 2013 20:31

Thanks Duncan!
I think this is a great school (and at a real discounted price) .. too bad I started to think to an mba too late in my life :-)

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ralph

692 1.074

Posted May 31, 2013 13:37

Really good feedback. I agree with maubia on the quality/value of the Cranfield program.

Worst thing about Cranfield - it is vey much out in the sticks so for people who enjoy a bit of variety/city life it may not be for them. I would also have like to experienced a more forward looking module as in "what are the business leaders of today saying about what the future hold for business."

A couple of modules do seem a little bit "tired" but they are having an overhaul this summer and replacing the core/optional modules that they provide.

I find this level of feedback especially helpful. It seems that many current students at top MBA programs are very hesitant to say anything bad about their school, even if it have nothing to do with the academics.

Really good feedback. I agree with maubia on the quality/value of the Cranfield program.

<blockquote>Worst thing about Cranfield - it is vey much out in the sticks so for people who enjoy a bit of variety/city life it may not be for them. I would also have like to experienced a more forward looking module as in "what are the business leaders of today saying about what the future hold for business."

A couple of modules do seem a little bit "tired" but they are having an overhaul this summer and replacing the core/optional modules that they provide. </blockquote>
I find this level of feedback especially helpful. It seems that many current students at top MBA programs are very hesitant to say anything bad about their school, even if it have nothing to do with the academics.

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mistermark

31 62

Posted Jun 04, 2013 13:08

I recently completed an Exec MBA at Cranfield, and endorse the comments made. IMO it's a great school if you want to work with an experienced cohort and excellent faculty on a program that makes you think about business and yourself and not simply acquire a toolkit of consultant skills. Yes, it's in the middle of nowhere, but if it were based in central London it would probably cost an extra £20k a year (plus higher accommodation costs).

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maubia

209 418

Posted Jun 04, 2013 13:20

I recently completed an Exec MBA at Cranfield, and endorse the comments made. IMO it's a great school if you want to work with an experienced cohort and excellent faculty on a program that makes you think about business and yourself and not simply acquire a toolkit of consultant skills. Yes, it's in the middle of nowhere, but if it were based in central London it would probably cost an extra £20k a year (plus higher accommodation costs).

Hi,
it seems (looking at ft parameters) that the emba struggles a bit with career advancement and % salary increase. What is your view on this?

<blockquote>I recently completed an Exec MBA at Cranfield, and endorse the comments made. IMO it's a great school if you want to work with an experienced cohort and excellent faculty on a program that makes you think about business and yourself and not simply acquire a toolkit of consultant skills. Yes, it's in the middle of nowhere, but if it were based in central London it would probably cost an extra £20k a year (plus higher accommodation costs).</blockquote>

Hi,
it seems (looking at ft parameters) that the emba struggles a bit with career advancement and % salary increase. What is your view on this?

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ezra

521 711

Posted Jun 05, 2013 15:08

I'd be interested in hearing more about the experience as well. I was just talking to somebody who was trying to decide between this program and Ashridge or Imperial - and found it hard to recommend the Cranfield program based on the current ROI and rankings placement.

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maubia

209 418

Posted Jun 05, 2013 15:27

I'd be interested in hearing more about the experience as well. I was just talking to somebody who was trying to decide between this program and Ashridge or Imperial - and found it hard to recommend the Cranfield program based on the current ROI and rankings placement.

Hi Ezra,
just to ask.. why isn't he considering Warwick? Looking at figures/stats it's an impressive course (even if the program looks quite accademic... it seems to lack the project/group work's approach of many others emba)

<blockquote>I'd be interested in hearing more about the experience as well. I was just talking to somebody who was trying to decide between this program and Ashridge or Imperial - and found it hard to recommend the Cranfield program based on the current ROI and rankings placement. </blockquote>

Hi Ezra,
just to ask.. why isn't he considering Warwick? Looking at figures/stats it's an impressive course (even if the program looks quite accademic... it seems to lack the project/group work's approach of many others emba)

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 05, 2013 15:55

The Warwick EMBA looks terrible: all those block weeks are very employer-friendly but can you imagine doing all your finance in one block, and then never coming back to it? Warwick's EMBA is very light on the core.

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maubia

209 418

Posted Jun 05, 2013 16:11

The Warwick EMBA looks terrible: all those block weeks are very employer-friendly but can you imagine doing all your finance in one block, and then never coming back to it? Warwick's EMBA is very light on the core.

Agree.. the only appealing elements are costs and career figures

<blockquote>The Warwick EMBA looks terrible: all those block weeks are very employer-friendly but can you imagine doing all your finance in one block, and then never coming back to it? Warwick's EMBA is very light on the core.</blockquote>

Agree.. the only appealing elements are costs and career figures

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mistermark

31 62

Posted Jun 05, 2013 22:24

I recently completed an Exec MBA at Cranfield, and endorse the comments made. IMO it's a great school if you want to work with an experienced cohort and excellent faculty on a program that makes you think about business and yourself and not simply acquire a toolkit of consultant skills. Yes, it's in the middle of nowhere, but if it were based in central London it would probably cost an extra £20k a year (plus higher accommodation costs).

Hi,
it seems (looking at ft parameters) that the emba struggles a bit with career advancement and % salary increase. What is your view on this?

I think it was Winston Churchill who once said 'There are lies, damned lies, and statistics', meaning that stats can often be misleading, or can be misused.

In this instance, Cranfield's strength - I estimated the average age of my cohort on joining to be 36.5 years, echoing the comments about a more mature and experienced intake for the full-time course - penalises the school on the two measures you've selected. A slightly older intake makes for a great learning experience - you'll be studying with people who've worked in more industries, and at a higher level - but they start the course earning more and at a more senior level, which makes it harder for the School to demonstrate the same career uplifts as an establishment that admits people in their mid/late 20s.

<blockquote><blockquote>I recently completed an Exec MBA at Cranfield, and endorse the comments made. IMO it's a great school if you want to work with an experienced cohort and excellent faculty on a program that makes you think about business and yourself and not simply acquire a toolkit of consultant skills. Yes, it's in the middle of nowhere, but if it were based in central London it would probably cost an extra £20k a year (plus higher accommodation costs).</blockquote>

Hi,
it seems (looking at ft parameters) that the emba struggles a bit with career advancement and % salary increase. What is your view on this?</blockquote>

I think it was Winston Churchill who once said 'There are lies, damned lies, and statistics', meaning that stats can often be misleading, or can be misused.

In this instance, Cranfield's strength - I estimated the average age of my cohort on joining to be 36.5 years, echoing the comments about a more mature and experienced intake for the full-time course - penalises the school on the two measures you've selected. A slightly older intake makes for a great learning experience - you'll be studying with people who've worked in more industries, and at a higher level - but they start the course earning more and at a more senior level, which makes it harder for the School to demonstrate the same career uplifts as an establishment that admits people in their mid/late 20s.

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