Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam vs Delft University of Technology - TU Delft vs Inholland University of Applied Sciences vs IHE Delft Institute for Water Education vs Global Humanistic University - GHU

Side-by-side comparison from 202 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: HZ University of Applied Sciences - HZ (5.00)
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam: wins 0/7 categories
Delft University of Technology - TU Delft: wins 0/7 categories
Inholland University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/7 categories
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education: wins 0/7 categories
Global Humanistic University - GHU: wins 2/7 categories
HZ University of Applied Sciences - HZ: wins 5/7 categories
Metropolitan Business School: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: B.Sc. in Psychology
Best programme: Aerospace Engineering
Best programme: Aeronautics Engineering and Operations
Best programme: Environmental Engineering
Best programme: PhD in Business Administration
Middelburg, The Netherlands
5.00
Top
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3 reviews
×
Best programme: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Not rated
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0 reviews
×
Category ratings
Facilities
3.74
4.45
4.58
4.00
2.74
4.67
Win
Not rated
Location
3.96
4.32
4.33
4.57
1.89
4.67
Win
Not rated
Professors
4.13
4.15
4.00
4.00
4.68
Win
4.67
Not rated
Internationality
4.26
4.44
3.92
4.86
4.68
5.00
Win
Not rated
Student life
3.98
3.99
3.75
4.43
2.05
4.67
Win
Not rated
Value
4.19
4.34
3.92
4.00
4.84
Win
4.67
Not rated
Accommodation
3.11
2.96
2.92
4.00
1.95
4.33
Win
Not rated
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Balanced theory/practice with real-world application
  • +Diverse and international student community and faculty
  • +High-quality, challenging education with expert guest lectures
  • +Engineering focus and advanced technical content
  • +Practical learning approach and creative expression
  • +Supportive community and inspiring peers/lecturers
  • +Passionate teachers & practical real-world experience
  • +Supportive lecturers & readily available help
  • +Project-based learning instead of traditional exams
  • +Collaborative global environment and networking opportunities
  • +Highly practical, module-based curriculum with theoretical and experimental learning
  • +Quality education and learning experiences
  • +Flexible online learning model
  • +Academic rigor and intellectual challenge
  • +Supportive faculty and administration
  • +Practical, real-world focus
  • +International and diverse community
  • +Supportive, close-knit environment

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Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a common complaint.
  • -Poor communication and lack of support negatively impact the student experience.
  • -Poor teaching quality and lack of pedagogical understanding.
  • -Unhelpful and pushy academic and administrative staff.
  • -Students feel ignored and not supported in their learning.
  • -Excessive administrative burdens and communication problems.
  • -Outdated facilities and lack of modern resources.
  • -Poorly structured curriculum and teaching quality.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause constant frustration.
  • -Education quality does not match the high tuition fees.
  • -Teaching quality is lacking despite professors' experience.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment hinder learning.
  • -Ineffective teaching and curriculum lead to poor educational outcomes.
  • -Excessive administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources hinder learning experiences.
  • -Inconsistent and poor quality instruction diminishes academic value.

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Rating summary
What students say

This institution shows a strong performance in key areas, with Internationality (4.26) and Value (4.19) receiving the highest marks. Professors (4.13) also earned a notably positive rating. Student Life (3.98) and Location (3.96) are also well-regarded. The weakest area, however, is Accomodation, which received a considerably lower score of 3.11.

This institution garners impressive scores in several key areas, with Facilities and Internationality standing out as particularly strong at over 4.4. Location and Value also receive high marks, reflecting positively on the student experience. Conversely, Accomodation presents a significant area for improvement, scoring considerably lower than other categories. Student Life, while decent, also falls slightly behind the higher-rated aspects.

With a robust score of 4.58, the university excels in its **Facilities**. **Student Life** and **Accomodation**, however, present areas for improvement, scoring 3.75 and 2.92 respectively. Ratings for Professors, Location, Internationality, and Value fall within a moderate range.

This institution exhibits a strong overall performance, with its **Internationality** being its most exceptional attribute. The **Location** also garners high marks, reflecting a desirable setting. Conversely, while still solid, **Facilities**, **Professors**, **Accomodation**, and **Value** represent areas with slightly less exceptional scores, indicating room for potential enhancement compared to its standout international appeal and prime location.

An analysis of the university's ratings reveals a stark contrast between its strengths and weaknesses. The institution excels in **Value** (4.84), **Professors** (4.68), and **Internationality** (4.68). Conversely, **Location** (1.89), **Accomodation** (1.95), and **Student Life** (2.05) received significantly lower scores, indicating areas that may require improvement. Facilities are rated moderately at 2.74.

This institution receives outstanding marks across most aspects. Facilities, professors, location, student life, and overall value are all rated at a near-perfect 4.67. Internationality stands out as a perfect 5. Accommodations, while still strong, are the lowest rated category at 4.33, representing the sole area for potential improvement.

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Reviews summary
Highlights

~93% of 51 reviews are positive, highlighting good theory-practice balance, knowledgeable lecturers, and program flexibility. No negative feedback was recorded.

The university receives strong positive feedback, with ~90% of reviews praising learning materials, practical approaches, and supportive communities. A small minority (~3%) express concerns about specific program content and pedagogical approaches.

With an average rating of 4/5 from 13 reviews, ~85% of feedback is positive. Students highlight passionate teachers, practical/project-based learning, and valuable real-world experience. There are no negative reviews.

~86% of reviews are positive, highlighting a strong global and multicultural environment, quality education with a practical, modular approach, and collaborative learning. One ~14% negative review cited high costs and concerns about teaching quality.

Nearly all reviews are positive, with students praising academic rigor, challenging coursework, and flexible online learning. Supervisors and the platform are also frequently highlighted as supportive and effective.

All 3 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5/5. Students highlight practical, real-world project experience and an international environment. The program is seen as future-focused and impactful.

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Rating distribution
5★
39%
36%
15%
71%
84%
100%
0%
4★
49%
54%
69%
14%
11%
0%
0%
3★
12%
7%
15%
0%
5%
0%
0%
2★
0%
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
1%
0%
14%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
:)

As a computer science student at the Vrije Universitet in Amsterdam, I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of education and the level of expertise of the professors at this esteemed institution. The faculty members are passionate about their subjects and are always willing to provide guidance and support to students. The curriculum is rigorous, and the coursework is designed to challenge students and prepare them for the ever-evolving world of technology. The courses cover a broad range of topics, from programming languages and algorithms to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The faculty also encourages students to take part in research projects and internships, providing valuable opportunities to apply what we have learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. The campus facilities are excellent, with state-of-the-art labs and equipment available for students to use. The university's location in Amsterdam also offers plenty of opportunities for students to engage in cultural and recreational activities outside of their studies. One of the things that stand out to me is the diverse student body. Being exposed to different perspectives and backgrounds has enriched my learning experience and expanded my understanding of computer science as a field. Overall, I would highly recommend the Vrije Universitet to any computer science student looking for a challenging and rewarding academic experience, excellent faculty, and a diverse and inclusive community.

My Experience: IDE Bachelor at TU Delft

Hello, [Skip to "Conclusion" for a brief summary] In this post, I’ll share my experience with the TU Delft Industrial Design Engineering bachelor's program as a graduate, so that future students can make a more informed decision. I chose this bachelor’s program because I expected it to involve a lot of engineering and technical content, which would help me understand how most products are made, think production techniques, appropriate material use, product manufacturing, and the integration of technology and mathematics that’s common in modern products. However, I ended up learning very little about these topics during my time in the program. The study mainly consisted of filling out Miro (an online platform) templates, coming up with systems, and focusing on sustainability (which, to be fair, isn't necessarily a bad thing). But I never felt like I was learning anything new; I was just repeatedly filling in the same kinds of templates for the DP/PO (Design Project/Project Organisatie) courses throughout the full three years. Each year, you follow two DP/PO courses. The only courses I personally found useful in terms of learning product design were the drawing classes and a first-year SolidWorks course (3D modeling). Normally, I find math courses boring and difficult, but thanks to this bachelor’s, I actually really enjoyed the two math/physics courses (Product Dynamics and Product Statics). For the first time in a while, I felt like I was doing something meaningful, had to put in effort, and was actually learning something new. Another thing I really disliked about this program is how “school-like” it’s structured. You're required to be on campus every day from 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM, working in a so-called “studio” (classroom) with your fellow students, supposedly to learn from each other. This might work for some people, but for me (and I think for others too), it didn’t. I can’t focus well in noisy, crowded spaces, and I rarely connected with my fellow students. The social atmosphere was always centered around the typical student lifestyle (like student associations), and I wasn’t involved in that kind of life at all. The strict scheduling was probably the worst part. It made me feel like I was still in high school, instead of being a responsible adult who should be allowed to structure their own time. In many courses, you’re also penalized if you’re absent or not actively participating in class. Your final grade often drops as a result, especially since there’s always a rubric item about “communication and presence” of the student. Now on to a very different, but important point I want to share. I’m a guy with a Turkish background/ethnicity. This has, in my experience, had a significant impact on how I was treated and assessed during my studies. Because of my appearance, I stood out a lot in this predominantly Dutch/white bachelor’s program. I was one of the very few students with a migration background (I could count them on one hand, out of 300+ students in my year). In group projects and reports, I often felt like I wasn’t taken seriously by the lecturers. I never really felt welcome at the faculty or in the studios, I often felt like an outsider. The assessments for reports/projects were always subjective. Yes, there’s a so-called “rubric,” but it’s completely vague and can be interpreted in many ways, so you never know whether you’ve actually met the expectations. In my opinion, grading was purely based on the teacher’s personal opinion, and this was even confirmed by one of the teachers, who admitted the rubrics were “kind of nonsense” and that they just decide the grade based on how they feel about you and your work. As a result, I rarely received high marks for assignments, even though I consistently scored 8s on exams, which are graded objectively. I even went to the study advisor once because I had been unfairly graded. But even the study advisor couldn’t care less. He flat-out said “NO” to my face when I expressed my concerns emotionally. I didn’t even get a fake “that’s unfortunate” or a polite smile. That showed me that basic empathy is not standard for everyone. In my view, these are the bare minimum responses you’d expect when a student is struggling. That’s why I want to clearly state in this post that, in my experience, there’s a significant amount of racism within the IDE bachelor’s program at TU Delft. You might be wondering, after reading all this, “Why didn’t you just quit the program?” I started this program during the COVID outbreak, which meant my entire first year was online (with mandatory Zoom attendance from 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM). So at first, I thought my negative experience was due to the pandemic. When I finally got to campus in my second year, I realized too late that this program just wasn’t the right fit for me. But I’m someone who always sees things through and doesn’t quit halfway. Since I had already completed more than a year, I was determined to finish. Conclusion All in all, I strongly advise against choosing this bachelor’s program if your goal is to pursue a real engineering-focused, challenging, and educational degree, because IDE at TU Delft is certainly not that. To future students with a migrant background: only consider this program if you’re planning to do it with a friend. You’re unlikely to make many friends here, and you’ll probably end up feeling lonely and like an outsider, especially if your values or cultural background differ from the average “IDE” student. I’m now studying something else at a different university, and I’m much happier. I’m achieving great results and feel appreciated. Just to be clear: my review is not about TU Delft as a whole, it is specifically about the Industrial Design Engineering bachelor’s program. If you have any questions after reading my “mini-book,” feel free to send me a private message on Reddit or leave a comment under this post. I’m happy to help you make a better-informed study decision, something I, unfortunately, didn’t have.

Inholland International Creative Business

I started my journey with Inholland international creative business in September 2022. What sets this program apart from traditional university business majors is that we don't have exams. Instead we have projects that need to be completed, each semester we get different assignments based on the module of study, some of them are individual and some are in groups. The project-based approach to learning can be a refreshing change from traditional exams, especially for people that never liked exams. Located in close proximity to the city center and train station, the uni is easily accessible. The building itself is relatively new but not really big. The course material is engaging and not overly challenging, especially for those interested in the creative industry. The studies give you some free time to explore other interests or for a part-time job. Teachers are nice and helpful, you can always ask them any questions. I recommend asking a lot, it always helps! For first-year students, the university offers accommodation support, since it's not easy to find one especially in the netherlands. The university organizes some additional events or activities that everybody can take part in. Some of the ones I remember are: theater classes, classouting, painting cups, making tie-dye tote bags and Christmasmarket. Also for first years at the beginning of the uni year we have an intro week to meet people from your year and get to know them in a chill atmosphere (beach day/ boat trip). The only flaw so far is a slight inaccuracy in the program. Due to changes in the curriculum, some teachers' answers may differ in terms of assignments. However, a good solution for this is to direct questions related to assignments to the teacher who is grading them. Overall my experience so far is pretty good and I can recommend it to anyone interested in the same major.

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Work-Life and Education Balance

I am a PhD student at Global Humanistic University. I chose GHU because of its flexible and balanced learning model of online education. With the busy schedules of my entrepreneurial journey, GHU has offered me an effective education model which aligns with my aspiration of right balance between professional work, education, and family. My supervisor and the administration team are effective in their communication which makes learning and coordination hustle free. I recommend GHU for professionals who desire to enhance their education.

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