The official Cranfield University Ask Us Anything

OP

I have received an offer! I'm really thrilled with it! Thank you very much for your work. I really appreciate it.

Best regards,

You are welcome @ramon9876
Hope the subsequent preparation(s) goes well.

Cheers!

Reply 141

ben60

5

Hi

What would be the typical entry requirements for Pre-master's in in Engineering?
Is work experience required?

OP

Original post by ben60

Hi

What would be the typical entry requirements for Pre-master's in in Engineering?
Is work experience required?

Hi,

Glad to see you are considering a Pre-Masters at Cranfield. I will copy and paste the requirements directly from the website.

Who is it for?

Those who wish to take their career in a new direction and advance their skills in engineering

Professionals who have been out of education for some time and wish to get back into the study routine before commencing an MSc programme

Graduates with an undergraduate degree in engineering, physics or mathematics that do not meet our standard entry requirements

Holders of a UK Ordinary/Pass degree (or equivalent for overseas students) who have industrial experience and cannot be admitted directly

Overseas students wishing to enhance their technical English language skills before entering a Cranfield MSc course.

I hope this helps?

Best Regards,
Cranfield TSR Rep

Reply 143

vikhashgs

3

Original post by Cranfield University

If there's anything you want to know about studying at the UK's only exclusively postgrad uni, then we are your people. "Where is Cranfield?" is normally the first question! "What do you do there and why can't I find you in some of the rankings?" is the next! Our official rep account and our forum threads are looked after by the comms team and our student ambassadors, so between us we should be able to answer your questions (or know somebody who can!) Feel free to ask us anything!

Hello , I am vikhash here. I just got an offer to study at Cranfield for the course msc automotive mechatronics . How are the practicals for the course and job opportunities

OP

Original post by vikhashgs

Hello , I am vikhash here. I just got an offer to study at Cranfield for the course msc automotive mechatronics . How are the practicals for the course and job opportunities

Hi vikhashgs,

Congratulations on your offer! :smile:

From what I was told by a student who applied for the same course, it appears to be a very competitive course with an opening that is competitive as well. Is it right for me to assume that you are (or would be) an international student?
I have asked a student of the course to give me an insight about the practical content in the course as it has a very strong practical side, which utilizes the labs in Cranfield and industry specialists from Ford, JLR, AVL, and of course, Cranfield amongst others. I should come with some information on this soonest.

Job opportunities -well, I was not surprised with this question! (That was one of my main drivers when I was thinking of doing a PhD, as I wanted somewhere where I could continue with/in research as soon as I was done).
What Cranfield offers you, from my experience, is/are [firstly] the tools which you need for a successful job search. So the education is probably a bit more intense and challenging and practical than what you may have experienced. And, [secondly] there are opportunities for you to apply those tools in your job search. Hence there is the careers fairs where 50+ companies come on-site for recruitment shows and, for some, on-the-spot recruitment. There is the group project, where you work with your colleagues and project staffs of a particular company delivering solutions on a real project for the company. And the careers service ensure you are up-to-date with careers fairs, applications, etc.
A good number of students (home, EU and non-EU) get offers before their thesis is handed in. You will need to (1) ensure you are excellent in your studies (2) take advantage of opportunities that come your way and (3) start application early! :smile:

I hope this helps. Feel free if you need any more information.

Best Regards,
Oke- Cranfield PhD Student & TSR Rep.

Reply 145

SilverRobin

3

Hi! I’m very interested in studying Environmental Engineering and recently came across the MSc offered by Cranfield University. I’d really love it if someone who has done the course or has knowledge of it could give me their honest opinion, and possibly answer some of my questions as I had never heard of this university before now.

1. I’m currenrly studying a BSc in Geology. What sort of subject backgrounds do people have on the course and is geology something that they accept.

2. Do most people have an A Level in Mathematics, is this something that would be helpful for me to obtain?

3. I noticed that on the accommodation, family houses are an option. Are there a greater percentage of mature students studying at the university? If so, how does this affect the social side of your experience. (I will be 21 or 22)

Thank you!
Jo

OP

Original post by SilverRobin

Hi! I’m very interested in studying Environmental Engineering and recently came across the MSc offered by Cranfield University. I’d really love it if someone who has done the course or has knowledge of it could give me their honest opinion, and possibly answer some of my questions as I had never heard of this university before now.

1. I’m currenrly studying a BSc in Geology. What sort of subject backgrounds do people have on the course and is geology something that they accept.

2. Do most people have an A Level in Mathematics, is this something that would be helpful for me to obtain?

3. I noticed that on the accommodation, family houses are an option. Are there a greater percentage of mature students studying at the university? If so, how does this affect the social side of your experience. (I will be 21 or 22)

Thank you!
Jo

Hi Jo

,
Thanks for checking up or finding Cranfield University! Yes, I understand (and I hear that often) that Cranfield University isn't very well known by students at undergrad level. This is primarily because students find or know Universities from Ranking Tables which are based on Unis with Undergrad courses. And we are postgraduate only (just MScs and PhDs) so do not appear on mainstream league rankings. However, we appear in other rankings, such as specialists, course or institutional rankings :smile:

.
The practical and research element of your potential course is key here at Cranfield so if and when you come, expect to work closely with industry at some point.

Interestingly, one of the first ways I heard about Cranfield University was from a friend of mine who studied Environmental Engineering at Cranfield. He got an offer to Arup and then Atkins and that was when I decided to do my PhD here. So yes, I am studying for a PhD at Cranfield and it has been an immense privilege and exciting (challenging too!) journey so far :smile:

1. Yes, BSc Geology is a subject accepted. Just ensure that you have a 1st or 2nd Class degree when you are done.
2. No you do not need an A-Level Mathematics. I believe you are a Home Student?
3. We are wholly postgraduate, so we tend to have students in their 20's and 30's. However, for MSc's, the mean age is in their 20's, (these are students who are just completing their BSc like you, so you should fit right in.)
Family houses are an option as we have PhD students who are married and come with their families. :colondollar:

I hope this helps! All the best as you complete your BSc studies!
Let me know if you have any more questions :smile:

.

Regards,
Cranfield TSR Rep
Oke- PhD student @Cranfield University

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 147

ben60

5

Hi

Is there a deadline on the application for pre-master's? Would it be too late to apply now?

OP

Original post by ben60

Hi

Is there a deadline on the application for pre-master's? Would it be too late to apply now?

Hi Ben,

You can certainly apply now for the pre-masters that starts in October 2018 :smile:

.
See the details in the link below.
https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/courses/taught/pre-masters-in-engineering
Any other questions, do tell me.
All the best in the application! :smile:

Oke- PhD Student @Cranfield University
Cranfield TSR Rep.

OP

Original post by vikhashgs

Hello , I am vikhash here. I just got an offer to study at Cranfield for the course msc automotive mechatronics . How are the practicals for the course and job opportunities

Hi @vikhashgs :smile:

I got a rather lengthy response from the Course Rep of the AM course here at Cranfield and I have been wondering if I should paste the whole of it... Or summarise it!

I thought I should paste the whole of it here as who knows, someone else may need it.

Here you go.. From a current student :smile:

The automotive mechatronics (AM) program is targeted the most competent and forward-thinking students, that want to work in tomorrows transport industry. It requires an extensive multifaceted overview of automotive componentry, in terms of mechanical, electrical, and software-based aspects. The 2017-18 AM group consisted of 17 students from 9 different countries, with a broad range of varied backgrounds. The first semester consists of general automotive theory and is taught with the Automotive Engineering (AE) course, the first module “Vehicle design, powertrain and performance (VDPP)” is a double module that introduces basic mechanical vehicle concepts, componentry, materials and the general mathematical ideas behind them.

It is taught in a way that allows student without an automotive background to get fully up to date on the fundamentals. Multiple weeks of 8-hour lectures might seem like a lot, but for individuals without prior knowledge a lot of hours (130+) will be spent on this module over the 2 semesters. The second module “Automotive control and simulation (ACS)” is a stark reminder that the AM and AE courses are no easy task to complete. Most students will spend 120+ hours to get merit-based marks in this module, and it cannot be expressed clearly enough how much it would be beneficial to have some prior knowledge of control theory and Matlab/Simulink. The module is taught in a way that requires an enormous effort from the students and the assignment enlightens every student of fundamental control. The module leader is highly knowledgeable on the subject and able to effectively communicate this knowledge to the students, however it requires each individual student to be engaged in the module. The third module encountered is “Vehicle electrification and hybridisation (VEH)”, the fundamental electrical propulsion theory is covered and experimental gives the students an understanding of the real-world environment. The course does not require extensive background knowledge and for most it will not require many study days (15-25 hours) outside of the module week. The module is taught in a way that highlights several basic electrical principals, creating a general understanding of the theories behind electrification.

The next module is “Vehicle dynamics and ride handling (VDH)”, the first module that has an exam, and for students with a mechanical engineering background it requires a moderate number of hours (40-50) outside of the module week. However, for students without a mechanical engineering background the it will again require an extensive review (100+ hours). Typically, this is the module that most students fail. The module covers the fundamental equation behind motion and is taught with virtual demonstrations of the theory. The final module of the semester is “Engine, fuels and lubrication”, which is also a module that has an exam. For students that have a keen interest in cars and prior knowledge of the propulsion systems this module will require little (10-20 hours) additional work outside of the module week, however for student without a fundamental understanding of engines and materials, a higher workload should be expected about 50+ hours. The subject covers diesel and petrol engines and the componentry that such propulsion systems incorporate. Additionally, basic principles of fuel and material chemistry are covered. The subjects are covered in an engaging way by multiple lecturers and outside guests. During the 1st and 2nd semester a group project will be allocated which will constantly force students to be engaged in study, if they are not reading up on modules. Depending on the group project it might/should take up as much as (300+) hours and is a great way to get practical experience. Small modules as “Computer-aided design” and “Intellectual property law” are also mixed in with the “normal” modules. The group project forces a lot of real world issues to be faced by the students, examples include public speaking, idea discussions, financing, internal disagreements, planning, presentation skills. All necessary components of real world work, thus it is a fantastic opportunity for students to grow as people. After the winter break, where most student have been engaged in the group project and revision, the exams are held. Little revision time is available, and students are expected to be able to manage their own time wisely. The second semester starts a week after exams and is purely taught to the AM group. The first module is “Mechatronics Modelling for Automotive Systems (MMAS)” and consists of fundamental modelling theory in mechatronics. Several software packages are used to provide an overview of the implementation of the theories. Most student will use 70+ hours on this course as it contains several different disciplines and is a module with an exam. The second module of the semester is “Advanced control and optimisation (ACO)”, which is an advanced extension of ACS, the structure is similar, and every student should expect to use a heavy amount of time (70+) on this module, however after ACS the students have gotten into the mindset of control theory and thus student will find it less frightening. “Embedded Automotive Control Systems” is the third taught module and is a final step of control theory. It basically reveals how the theories are implemented into everyday objects, students should expect to use 40+ hours outside of the module week if they have not worked with control before. The module is taught with expertise and requires hands on work from the students, thus individual participation is required. The final module “Automated driving applications (ADA)” brings the fundamental theories behind autonomous driving to the students, the topic is covered in a broad sense and requires no prior knowledge. Students should expect moderate workload for this module (35-45 hours) as this is a module with an exam.

The module is taught by a multitude of professors and guest speakers resulting in engaging conversations. During the second semester students will also present their group projects and individual reports, which will take up much of their spare time. After the group project the final exams are close, and the final reports and hand-ins are submitted right before the revision weeks begin. In total there are 3 summer exams (VDPP, MMAS, & ADA). At this point most students will also be studying for their individual thesis work, which is a highly personal project. Some students spend only the necessary time on it and others spend enormous amounts of time on it. It depends on personality, and subject. A rule of thumb, nearly all students spend more than 600 hours on it to pass and the expected workload is 800 hours, for merit-based scores most will spend 1000+ hours (60+ hour weeks). During the semesters student will be pushed, pressured and stressed as the continued workload is much more than what is expected of a normal work day. It is undoubtably a tough course and most students will not be able to produce outstanding work in all modules. Therefore, it is important to continue working even when the work does not “pay off”. The graduates are of this program are some of the brightest in their respective fields and will certainly contribute to advancements in the automotive industry. Generally, most of the work will be self-study and group work in the library. Though aspects of the group project require physical testing which will be done in mechatronics lab. All lectures are held in lecture rooms. The most used software is Matlab/Simulink, but other tools such as AVL, Maplesim, Catia, Python programming and others might be used. Alumni have varied careers, but all are very successful engineers in some part of the automotive world. Examples include, start-up companies that deliver sensor equipment, simulation engineers, battery technicians, research and development engineers in electrification, modelling engineers, application designers, Formula E race engineers, generally there is a high demand for anybody with an AM engineering degree from Cranfield.

I hope this helps :smile:

. Cheers!

Cranfield TSR Rep.

Reply 150

selfaddicted

4

Hiya,
Just a querie about transport. I believe I seen somewhere say that it is possible to get a stagecoach bus pass for free from Cranfield uni. Is that true?

OP

Original post by selfaddicted

Hiya,
Just a querie about transport. I believe I seen somewhere say that it is possible to get a stagecoach bus pass for free from Cranfield uni. Is that true?

Hi @selfaddicted :smile:

I'm not exactly sure that it is true- been at Cranfield for nearly three years now, living outside the campus, and I have not seen where that arrangement exists!
I'll make some inquires for you, though. The Cranfield UNO Bus is what most students use.

Best Regards,
Cranfield TSR Rep :smile:

Reply 152

selfaddicted

4

Original post by Cranfield University

Hi @selfaddicted :smile:

I'm not exactly sure that it is true- been at Cranfield for nearly three years now, living outside the campus, and I have not seen where that arrangement exists!
I'll make some inquires for you, though. The Cranfield UNO Bus is what most students use.

Best Regards,
Cranfield TSR Rep :smile:

I was more referring to the Shrivenham campus, I think they do that...?..

OP

Original post by selfaddicted

I was more referring to the Shrivenham campus, I think they do that...?..

Oh, I see! I would check with the admissions team at Shrivenham for you then.

Thank you.

Regards,
Cranfield Uni TSR Rep.

OP

Original post by selfaddicted

I was more referring to the Shrivenham campus, I think they do that...?..

Hi,

Just checked with the team at Shrivenham.

Here's this:

https://mycsa.org.uk/support/transport-shrivenham/

Bus Service

The Stagecoach bus route 66 travels between Swindon to Oxford and stops at both gates to the Defence Academy. Check out the stagecoach website http://www.stagecoachbus.com/. To get a discount on the bus fare, bring a passport sized photo to the CSA and your CSA Team will make you a Stagecoach bus pass at no cost.

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards
Cranfield TSR Rep.

Reply 155

chaula

1

could i know when exactly you open application for admission into Masters degree?

OP

Original post by chaula

could i know when exactly you open application for admission into Masters degree?

Dear Chaula,

Check back in November. What course do you intend to apply for?

Best Wishes,
Cranfield TSR Rep.

Reply 157

kaumichan

1

Hello, I’m an international student interested in the forensics investigation and forensics anthropology programme provided at Cranfield. Just wanted to ask, is it possible to apply to both as I’ve not made up my mind 100%? Considering the facilities and connections the forensics institute has, would you happen to know the acceptance rate or how competitive these courses would be? Many thanks!

OP

Original post by kaumichan

Hello, I’m an international student interested in the forensics investigation and forensics anthropology programme provided at Cranfield. Just wanted to ask, is it possible to apply to both as I’ve not made up my mind 100%? Considering the facilities and connections the forensics institute has, would you happen to know the acceptance rate or how competitive these courses would be? Many thanks!

Hi @kaumichan,

I hope you are well. Thanks for the question here :smile:

Yes, you can apply for both of them. You will probably be called on the phone by an academic assistant in charge of that program where you can have discussions and hopefully make up your mind on which is more ideal.
Both courses are very competitive as students include individuals like yourself and students sponsored by security-inclined agencies and firms. Early application is always encouraged :smile:

Any questions, feel free to ask! Thank you and hopefully, see you soon at Cranfield!

-Cranfield TSR Rep :colonhash:

Reply 159

Undergrim_12

3

Hey there,

I've just received an offer to study at Cranfield for an MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
I am a U.S. citizen and I was wondering if it was possible for me to apply to any scholarships? I already stated on the admissions process I'd self-fund however upon reflection I thought I'd try to aim for a partial scholarship of some sorts? If there are any?

I got the impression there were only scholarships for EU+UK citizens only.

Thanks!

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