A forward-thinking University
By choosing to study a degree with Cranfield, you will join our award-winning academics and students in addressing current and future challenges in technology and management, for the benefit of industry and society.
A forward-thinking University
By choosing to study a master’s or research degree with Cranfield, you will join our award-winning academics and students in addressing current and future challenges in technology and management, for the benefit of industry and society.
A Cranfield University team is through to the second stage of a prestigious three-year global competition to design vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) autonomous emergency response aircraft. The CraneAERO Team is one of only 11 global winners from over 200 competing teams in Stage One and the only UK team selected. Their innovative conceptual design – CRANE (Cranfield Rapid Aerial Network for Emergency) – was recognised for its strengths in safety, performance, feasibility, mission-readiness, and technical innovation.
(image courtesy of CraneAERO Team)
Our students and staff are recognised and awarded in the sectors in which we work, for the contribution they make to society. Use the arrow buttons or click and drag the cards below to scroll through some recent achievements.
Our students and staff are recognised and awarded in the sectors in which we work, for the contribution they make to society. Use the arrow buttons or swipe the cards below to scroll through some recent achievements.
Dr Theresa Mercer, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sustainability at Cranfield University, has been appointed to the Science Committee of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Researchers from Cranfield University, working with PepsiCo and Solynta, are using advanced genetic analysis to tackle the challenges of maintaining potato crop quality whilst extending storage life. The aim is to keep potatoes dormant longer, use fewer chemicals, less energy and generate less food waste.
Cranfield School of Management’s ‘Exploring Sustainable Futures Game’, a role-playing game to develop strategic decision-making skills and explore paths to a sustainable future, is one of the winners in the 2025 Financial Times Responsible Business Education Awards.
Oxford-Cambridge Innovation Champion and Science Minister, Lord Vallance visited Cranfield to meet with business leaders, university representatives and local authorities from the central area of the corridor. Lord Vallance also officially opened new space robotics facility, the ASTRA lab, which simulates orbital conditions for space robotics.
Scientists, including Cranfield’s Dr Iva Chianella have created a new low-cost, fast response sensor to detect lung cancer biomarkers, paving the way for the development of screening devices to spot the disease even before symptoms occur.
Cranfield student group, Aquila, won the seventh Cranfield-Colworth Innovation Challenge with their innovative approach to ‘Automating Repetitive Lab Practices’.
(Image courtesy of Cranfield-Colworth Innovation Challenge)
Dr Rachael Hazael, Reader in Applied Materials has been recognised as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering in the prestigious 2025 WE50 Awards.
The innovative toilet technology developed by experts at Cranfield University was featured in the Gates Foundation’s Garden of the Future at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
(Image © Gates Archive/Emma Jacobs)
Hannah Charlotte-Smith, Senior Science Technician has won a national award at the 2025 UK Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS), recognising her outstanding contributions to science and education.
(Image courtesy of Alex Wilkinson Media)
Pile Up – The World’s Biggest Crash Test is the most ambitious experiment of its kind. Produced by Blink Films for Channel 4, the programme involved experts from Cranfield University, who helped the team construct the scenario and examine what happens to cars in a real-life motorway pile up.
(Image © Peter Sandground)
The Queen's Anniversary Prize
The only national honour given to educational institutions for work carried out in the public interest. We are one of only seven institutions to have won the Queen's Anniversary Prize on six or more occasions. Our work has been recognised in:
In-flight aerospace engineering training
The University is home to the National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC), which brings together academics and technical specialists to deliver experiential learning for aerospace engineering students from over 20 UK universities and the global aviation industry.
Water and sanitation
Over a 25-year period, we have pioneered improved water services benefiting the quality of lives and livelihoods in the most impoverished parts of the world.
In-flight aerospace engineering training
The University is home to the National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC), which brings together academics and technical specialists to deliver experiential learning for aerospace engineering students from over 20 UK universities and the global aviation industry.
Water and sanitation
Over a 25-year period, we have pioneered improved water services benefiting the quality of lives and livelihoods in the most impoverished parts of the world.
Aviation and safety
Our air accident investigation training and research contributes to international aviation safety.
Humanitarian demining
We have developed and delivered bespoke education and training programmes to managers from over 60 countries including Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia and Iraq, playing a unique role in developing sustainable, national capacities in landmine clearance.
Manufacturing management
We designed a unique and innovative programme for strategic-level managers in the manufacturing industry.
