Cranfield University

A university where you get to build an aircraft? . 'Flight Club', led by Professor Guy Gratton will see staff and students come together to build and fly a Flylight Skyranger Nynja 912ULS, as part of the British Microlight Aircraft Association's (BMAA) New Horizons initiative.

Over an exciting 18-month journey the team will build a 600kg aircraft. Students will get hands-on engineering experience that supports their research, as well as flight opportunities. This is not a model aircraft - it's being built to fly!

The first inspection is complete. There are five more pending. Guy, an external BMAA Inspector and members of the club committee are working hard to get the project underway.

The unboxing is done and now, the next chapter begins. We can't wait to see this aircraft take shape!

Read more: https://bit.ly/4xmZAYd

What does studying aerospace at an industry-connected university look like?

For Ying Tian, Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc has meant developing specialist knowledge while working on challenges connected to the future of flight.

“The opportunity to work on industry-supported projects has also been amazing. For example, the project we are working on is supported by Airbus, one of the biggest names in aerospace.”

By learning from experts, engaging with industry-led challenges and applying advanced engineering concepts to real problems, Cranfield helps students build the specialist expertise and practical experience to contribute from day one. Employers benefit from graduates who understand the realities of industry and are ready to apply their knowledge and practical skills to complex challenges.

Read more via the link in our bio.

Join Cranfield's highly rated Introduction to Earth Observation Data Science short course and gain the practical skills to extract, manipulate, analyse, and visualise EO data with confidence.

🌍 Hands-on learning
📊 Industry-relevant skills
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Whether you're new to EO data science or looking to build on your existing knowledge, this course will help you take the next step.

🎓 Secure your place today! https://bit.ly/3RHxBTa

Another month has flown by, and July has certainly kept us busy! Here’s a look back at what we’ve been up to

🎓 Our graduation 2026 season came to a close with the last ceremony celebrating our Defence and Security graduates at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

🏁 Our automotive team, including Prof James Brighton, Mike Bayes, Kim Blackburn, and Helen Dalling from Careers highlighted our expertise at .

🌱 At the RHS Sandringham Flower Show, Dr Dan Evans had the honour of discussing the importance of soil for horticulture with His Majesty The King. He also showcased his ‘Talking Benches’, giving visitors the opportunity to sit, listen and learn more about the organisms and processes found beneath the soil’s surface.

✈️ We enjoyed a fantastic week at , sharing our research, meeting partners and making new connections.

🛬 Students also attended Farnborough Pioneers of Tomorrow, connecting with industry and exploring future career opportunities.

🌟 It was a pleasure to welcome future STEM innovators with a behind-the-scenes tour of our facilities including our Boeing 737, Magan Centre of Applied Mycology (MCAM) and our Welding and Additive Manufacturing Centre.

✨ Cranfield alumni reconnected in a visit to Bristol and toured Aerospace Bristol. Emeritus Professor Sir Iain Gray caught up with them to hear more about their career journeys since graduating.

🌞 July continued to bring the sunshine! 🥵 With many MSc students now in the thesis stage, water student Fayyaz reminded us all to take a break and enjoy the beautiful green spaces across campus.



🙌 We welcomed a delegation from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to strengthen international collaboration.

👏 We’re proud to have been chosen as a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance (DUA), a collaborative network of 35 world-class universities chosen to partner with the Ministry of Defence, the UK Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor and the wider defence sector.

"Before you begin searching for accommodation, think about your budget, the kind of lifestyle you want, and what matters most to you, whether that is proximity to campus, privacy, shared living, or overall quality of accommodation."

Finding the right place to live is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as you begin your student journey. Whether you’re looking for the convenience and community of living on-campus or the independence and flexibility of settling in nearby towns and villages, we offer a range of accommodation options to suit every lifestyle.

To help you make that decision, two of our students share their experiences, Sanya, living on-campus, and Sreshtha living off-campus in this latest blog:
https://bit.ly/4fuNB32

Lifelong access to career resources, networking opportunities and dedicated support at every stage of your professional journey. That is what your connection with Cranfield gives you as part of our global alumni community.

As the graduation celebrations come to a close and you prepare for your next chapter, whether that is starting a new role or returning to your career, your relationship with Cranfield continues.

To find out more about how we can support you, get in touch with our Alumni team at [email protected]. We're here to help you make the most of what's next 🙌

"It would always be Cranfield."

"What I found really genuinely interesting about the course is that it ended each module with an industry connection. This really stood out to me. It wasn't just another theoretical course. I thought Cranfield would be the perfect choice for me to gain that industry exposure, and I'm extremely proud and happy that I chose it."

Throughout her MSc, Marketing alumna Shraddha gained hands-on experience through a three-month internship, visited leading organisations, and learned alongside a diverse cohort that broadened her perspective.

Not long after completing her studies, she secured a role as a Buyer Account Manager at London-based food and drink distributor CN Foods, building on the practical experience and industry connections she developed during her time studying with us.

Read Shraddha's blog to discover how her master's prepared her for a career in marketing, along with the advice she'd give to anyone considering postgraduate study: https://bit.ly/4oi96YH