Head to head
Cranfield School of Management vs Alliance Manchester Business School
The Cranfield School of Management and Alliance Manchester Business School Master in Management programs, compared side by side on the numbers that decide it — ranking, fees, salary, selectivity and class profile.
| Metric | Cranfield School of Management | Alliance Manchester Business School |
|---|---|---|
| FT ranking 2025 | #69 | — |
| QS ranking 2025 | #41 | #24 |
| Tuition | £35,950 for overseas students / £18,900 for home students (2026-27) | £33,100 for international students / £20,000 for UK students — the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026; Manchester states fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set |
| Salary (~3yr) | — | — |
| Employment rate | — | — |
| GMAT range | — | — |
| Duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Class size | — | — |
| Average age | — | — |
| International | — | — |
| Female | — | — |
| Location | Cranfield, UK | Manchester, UK |
The short version
- On tuition, Alliance Manchester Business School is the more affordable option at £33,100 for international students / £20,000 for UK students — the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026; Manchester states fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set.
Rankings and salary are only part of the decision — fit with your target career, location, language, and cost of living usually matter more. Read each program in full before deciding.
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Frequently asked
Which is more affordable, Cranfield School of Management or Alliance Manchester Business School?
- Tuition is £35,950 for overseas students / £18,900 for home students (2026-27) at Cranfield School of Management and £33,100 for international students / £20,000 for UK students — the fees for the academic year beginning September 2026; Manchester states fees for entry in 2027 have not yet been set at Alliance Manchester Business School. Compare like for like before concluding — headline tuition can mix EU/EEA and non-EU rates — and add living costs in Cranfield versus Manchester, since the lower tuition is not always the cheaper city overall.
Do you need the GMAT for Cranfield School of Management or Alliance Manchester Business School?
- Cranfield School of Management has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE; Alliance Manchester Business School has an admission route that does not require a GMAT or GRE. Test policies change each cycle, so confirm the current requirement on each school's own admissions page before assuming you can skip it.
Should I choose Cranfield School of Management or Alliance Manchester Business School?
- There is no universal winner. The right pick depends on your target career, where you want to live and work (Cranfield, UK versus Manchester, UK), the language of instruction, and your budget. Read both full profiles, weigh fit over a handful of ranking places, and if you are still torn, our admissions guide walks through building a shortlist you can defend.