Dude,
Cranfield are different than many other schools. They are the only one I know where it takes 9 months to do the course. This is due to the fact that lectures take place in the mornings, and the afternoon is used for your own study.
If you popped round to Cabair, they will tell you that their ATPL ground schools takes about 24 weeks. This is roughly the same as Oxford, ATA at Coventry and most other schools.
NS