MBA at Cranfield School of Management vs Alliance Manchester Business School

MBA at Cranfield School of Management vs Alliance Manchester Business School

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Choosing between an MBA at Cranfield School of Management and Alliance Manchester Business School involves important factors. Cranfield offers a strong program with strengths in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, emphasizing practical application. Alliance Manchester Business School provides a diverse program with a global perspective, particularly renowned for its business analytics and consultancy focus. Your decision should align with your career goals, preferred campus atmosphere, and learning style. Cranfield excels in technology and practical learning, while Alliance Manchester offers a strong network and industry connections. Assess these factors to select the program that best suits your professional aspirations and desired MBA experience.

Overview Comparison
Cranfield School of ManagementAlliance Manchester Business School
ranking (overall)# 82 Financial Times 2025
# 76 Financial Times 2019
# 61 Financial Times 2018
# 46 Financial Times 2025
# 30 Financial Times 2021
# 45 Financial Times 2020
ProgramsPG Programs -7
UG Programs -7
PG Programs -14
Doctorate Programs -2
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees  29900
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 12187 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   31680
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  54652
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 8927 Per Year
CollegeDunia Reviews7.2/10 Read 1 reviews7.0/10 Read 1 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

application# 43 Admissions
# 113 Admissions
exam scoresGMAT - 680/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 100/120IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 90/120
Admission Criteria/Better to Have

GPA of 3.1 to 3.8 average and preferably 680 GMAT Score. Average Work Experience required around 4 to 5 years.



cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -61687Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -66852
Return on Investment/Average Package#Average Salary123000#Average Salary
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application dates-Nov 16, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jan 4, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Feb 15, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Mar 29, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
May 3, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Sep 28, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Comparison Notes

Here is what to look for when choosing between the two business schools in UK:

  • Alliance has a bigger class size of 113 compared to Cranfield's 43.
  • Only 18 nationalities are represented at Cranfield while 30 are present at Alliance. 
  • 42% of Cranfield students are female while this number is 39% for Alliance. 
  • The course duration at Cranfield is 13 months but that at Alliance can go from 12 up to 18 months, so you may prefer a shorter duration if you want to earn the degree title quickly, or a longer duration if you want to get more practice time while you look for a job.
  • 50% of the Alliance class changed countries after graduation while 63% of the Cranfield class did so.
  • The percentage of students who changed industries after graduation is almost the same in the case of both the schools, with Cranfield having 58% and Alliance having 57%.
  • Only 44% of the last graduating batch at Alliance got employed in the UK, while 74% of those at Cranfield did so.

Both schools are quite similar in terms of quality, but Alliance may be preferred because three projects/internships, instead of just one, will add to your experiential learning and open up more opportunities for placements. Moreover, Alliance Manchester has better brand value outside the UK, while Cranfield is not as well-known.