Cranfield School of Management Vs. Birmingham Business School

I have offers from both Universities for Masters in Strategic Marketing.
1) I don't want to miss out on the quality of the course.
2) I care about placements and employability.
3) I want to work Part-Time while studying.
4) I want an adequate Student life and socialisation
My learned viewers please guide me.

Hi @Aditya Gargote

Congrats on getting two great offers!
I will do my best to give as much detail as possible from the perspective of a current Cranfield student, but if I miss any important factors or you have additional questions feel free to ask below or on the Cranfield TSR page!
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1398

1) Course quality is a major factor for many people. The MSc in Strategic Marketing is ranked 5th in the UK and 15th in the world by QS World University Rankings: Masters In Marketing 2022. The design of the course is informed by a panel of high-profile marketing professionals to ensure the course covers everything a new graduate will need to be a competitive force in the job market, and is prepared for the next steps in their career.
This course is also accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Market Research Society (MRS). The Strategic Marketing MSc is currently the only Master's degree in the UK that is accredited by the MRS for its Certificate in Market Research, meaning that while studying for your Master's in marketing, you also have the opportunity to work towards achieving the MRS Certificate in Market Research. You can also achieve CIM’s professional marketing qualifications and awards alongside your Cranfield degree. CIM is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing professionals.

2) You have many opportunities within the course to demonstrate that you can really apply your classroom-based knowledge and display your skills in real-world situations. This includes the marketing consultancy project provided by an external business client. Having an external client not only gives you the opportunity to work on the problems currently faced by real businesses, but also make connections before you have even finished your course!
You will also be supported by the Cranfield Employability service, who can help with every step of your journey, from improving your CV, developing interview skills, and even beyond. Check out their webpage for more info:
https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/careers-service
Graduates from this course have previously secured jobs with many companies including Vodafone, TJX, Kerry, Christian Dior, Henkel, GE, Schlumberger, Ernst & Young, Estée Lauder, Coca-Cola, Mars, Beiersdorf, KMPG Nunwood and Microsoft. Their roles have included Customer Insight Consultant, Junior Manager, Buying and Merchandising Graduate Programme trainee, Marketing Manager and Associate Consultant.

3) Many students work part time while studying at Cranfield (including me!). The jobs students get are very variable depending on how you would like to fir your schedule around work, how many hours you would work for, and your skills. Some students end up working as online tutors for school students, others work in cafes/restaurants/shops (on and off campus), others do warehouse work. Having a good plan, sticking to a good schedule, and not neglecting your self-care are really important when balancing work and study.

4) As for socialising, there again are many many different ways students choose to do this. We have many clubs and societies, for sports (e.g. basketball, handball, tennis, and fitness clubs), hobbies (e.g. the tabletop and maker societies) and cultural groups (e.g. Chinese, Christian, and Indian societies). In fact, many cultural societies also organise events through the year for festivals important their culture, including Lunar New Year, Holi, and even bake sales and food-based events to raise money for charities.

You can also have a more relaxed informal lunch or coffee with classmates or others from campus in one of the coffee shops or restaurants on the campus. It’s a great way to develop connections and recharge between lectures.
Many people also go to the CSA bar after their day of lectures is finished to grab a drink with friends and unwind. Later in the evening, the CSA hosts different events too. Sometimes there are karaoke nights, others it’s a more ‘club’ atmosphere, or a themed pub-quiz on more relaxed nights. There’s something for everyone!
The nearby towns of Milton Keynes and Bedford are also popular as they have many facilities, like escape rooms (a personal favourite), indoor skydiving and climbing walls, cinemas, bowling, and many other options. Also, the train to London is only about an hour, so if you want to go there too you have many more things to choose from!


I hope this info can help inform your decision, and best of luck finding what is best for you!


Ciara
3rd year Agrifood PhD student
Cranfield Student Ambassador

Thank you for sharing your experience and opinion. I am grateful.