University College Dublin - UCD vs EM Normandie - EM Normandie vs ICD Business School Dublin vs DCU Business School vs National College of Ireland - NCI

Side-by-side comparison from 91 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: University College Dublin - UCD (4.30)
University College Dublin - UCD: wins 6/7 categories
EM Normandie - EM Normandie: wins 0/7 categories
ICD Business School Dublin: wins 0/7 categories
DCU Business School: wins 0/7 categories
National College of Ireland - NCI: wins 1/7 categories
ABC Business Academy: wins 0/7 categories
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Computer Science
Best programme: MSc International Logistics and Port Management
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Dublin, Ireland
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Best programme: Business
Toronto, Canada
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Category ratings
Facilities
4.31
Win
4.00
Not rated
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3.70
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Location
3.99
Win
3.57
Not rated
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3.50
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Professors
4.50
Win
4.00
Not rated
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3.40
Not rated
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Internationality
4.29
Win
4.14
Not rated
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3.90
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Student life
4.28
Win
3.71
Not rated
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3.40
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Value
4.22
Win
4.00
Not rated
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3.80
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Accommodation
3.63
3.50
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3.90
Win
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Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Engaging academics and expert faculty
  • +Vibrant international campus and social life
  • +Attractive environment and welcoming community
  • +Connecting theory to practice through real-world cases.
  • +Diverse international environment and global opportunities.
  • +Relevant industry-focused courses and knowledgeable faculty.

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  • +Diverse and welcoming atmosphere
  • +Practical, industry-aligned programs
  • +Excellent central Dublin location

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Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues, particularly regarding international student support.
  • -Difficulty in forming social connections due to large student numbers and established social circles.
  • -Teaching styles that are perceived as monotonous and unengaging.
  • -Perceived as a money-making scheme with mediocre teaching.

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  • -Students are frustrated with administrative and management issues.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are recurring problems.
  • -The quality of instruction and curriculum is a significant concern.

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Rating summary
What students say

Analyzing the university's performance reveals a profile with notable strengths and areas for improvement. Professors receive the highest marks, indicating a strong academic core. Facilities and student life also score well, suggesting a positive overall campus experience. Accommodation, however, stands out as the weakest area, receiving a considerably lower rating. Internationality and value are also rated positively, contributing to a generally favorable assessment.

This institution performs well across most aspects, with **Internationality** standing out as its strongest area. Facilities, Professors, and Value also receive high marks. Areas for potential improvement include **Location**, which scored the lowest, and Accomodation. Student life and the overall value proposition are rated solidly in the mid-to-high range.

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This institution receives strong marks, particularly excelling in Accomodation and Internationality, both scoring a notable 3.9. Value is also a significant positive at 3.8. The weakest areas, while still respectable, are Professors and Student Life, each receiving a 3.4 rating. Facilities and Location also fall within a moderate range at 3.7 and 3.5 respectively, indicating a well-rounded but not perfect offering.

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Reviews summary
Highlights

Around 97% of reviews are positive, highlighting engaging academics, a vibrant international community, and a great campus environment. A small percentage noted difficulties with making friends or feeling marginalized as an international student.

Most reviews (approximately 71%) highlight a positive learning atmosphere, inspiring professors, and valuable international experiences. A small amount of feedback (around 14%) suggests mediocrity and a focus on profit. The average rating is 3.86/5.

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Nine out of ten reviews are positive, highlighting a vibrant atmosphere and good academic programs. With an average rating of 4/5, student feedback is overwhelmingly favorable, with no negative reviews.

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Rating distribution
5★
39%
43%
0%
0%
10%
0%
0%
4★
54%
29%
0%
0%
80%
0%
0%
3★
4%
14%
0%
0%
10%
0%
0%
2★
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
14%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Not for me

Large student population (~30k), difficult to make friends because of irregular lecture structure (at least in humanities dept.) and most Irish students having known others for some time—not to say they aren’t friendly or open to making new friends, just a bit harder to fit in. Professors know what they are talking about and want you to learn, however the overall teaching style at UCD (and most universities)—is composed of listening to someone talk for 45 minutes, taking notes, and then writing an essay worth over half your grade—can feel like pursuing an overwhelmingly exhausting and pointless daily routine. Because of it, I was put on antidepressants. Prepare to replace your identity with an eight-digit number. Unlikely that professors will recognize you due to large lectures, so if you are like me and need to connect with your teachers in order to be a more productive learner, avoid UCD. There are mixed opinions about this, but I personally think that the campus is ugly. Not only is it littered with awful 70s architecture, but they also keep building new things so it is constantly under construction, which is not the most pleasant sight to observe every day. Although, some of the newer buildings, like the science building (which is massive), are nice. The campus is about a one-hour bus ride from the city centre, located in a middle-of-nowhere suburban area of Dublin, so it feels somewhat dull and isolated. Dorm rooms/suites are fantastic except for the fact that most do not have ovens and the showers are as narrow as you are (but perhaps that is to be expected in a dorm). Otherwise, good balance between privacy and sociability, most students have their own rooms but share a common space. Although, rent and goods are expensive and keep getting worse. Student Union fails to fulfil its promises, holds non-competitive elections and prevents foreign students from running for positions, all while the school prides itself on its global diversity. It is a very diverse school, though, that much is true. People from all over the world come here to study, so you're bound to meet someone from a different culture/background. Absolutely dead on the weekends. There is a myriad of societies to join that are fun and free to be a part of, but it can be difficult to balance schoolwork and club activities. Relatively easy to change subjects, variety of modules and subjects to choose from (Archeology was my favourite). The food market every Thursday was the best part of being here. Kind of expensive, but totally worth it. Every year in February they celebrate the Chinese New Year with a small light festival, and it is... awesome. Good food, cool lantern setup near the lake, an art show, and they host amazing dance, singing, and musical performances. UCD is #1 for graduate employability in Ireland, so if you are a career-oriented student, this might be a good place for you. Lots of career options and help from the school. Dublin is truly an amazing city and Ireland is a beautiful country. I do not regret coming here at all and seeing the island, but University College Dublin was not a good fit for me, and if you are anything like me and these issues bother you, it probably would not be a good fit for you either.

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Experience and Modules

Ireland is a great destination for higher education, and its universities offer a high standard of education with excellent facilities. The universities in Ireland are ranked among the best in the world, and they offer a wide range of courses in various fields. One of the great things about studying in Ireland is that the cost of education is quite reasonable compared to other countries such as the UK or the US. Additionally, students in Ireland are allowed to work part-time while studying, which can help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad. Moreover, Ireland is a welcoming and friendly country, and the people are warm and hospitable. Studying in Ireland offers a unique opportunity to experience Irish culture and meet people from different parts of the world.

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