Johan Cruyff Institute vs Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam vs HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht vs Duisenberg School of Finance vs Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences

Side-by-side comparison from 272 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Global Humanistic University - GHU (4.80)
Johan Cruyff Institute: wins 3/7 categories
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam: wins 0/7 categories
HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht: wins 2/7 categories
Duisenberg School of Finance: wins 0/7 categories
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences: wins 1/7 categories
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/7 categories
Global Humanistic University - GHU: wins 1/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Sport Management
Best programme: B.Sc. in Psychology
Best programme: Creative Business
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Not rated
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Best programme: BBA (EBA) specialisation Entrepreneurship & Digital Marketing
Best programme: Creative Business
Best programme: PhD in Business Administration
Category ratings
Facilities
4.43
Win
3.74
4.40
Not rated
3.25
4.41
2.74
Location
4.00
3.96
4.11
Win
Not rated
3.71
3.91
1.89
Professors
4.71
Win
4.13
4.70
Not rated
3.38
3.81
4.68
Internationality
4.71
4.26
4.20
Not rated
4.88
Win
4.46
4.68
Student life
4.29
3.98
4.50
Win
Not rated
2.63
4.07
2.05
Value
4.79
4.19
4.30
Not rated
3.38
3.96
4.84
Win
Accommodation
4.21
Win
3.11
3.50
Not rated
3.50
3.62
1.95
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Specialized sports management content and expert professors
  • +Valuable industry connections and networking opportunities
  • +Welcoming atmosphere and excellent staff support
  • +Balanced theory/practice with real-world application
  • +Diverse and international student community and faculty
  • +High-quality, challenging education with expert guest lectures
  • +Practical focus and real-world application
  • +Experienced lecturers and international outlook
  • +Opportunities for internships abroad

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  • +Practical, industry-focused curriculum with entrepreneurship and FinTech emphasis
  • +Supportive, international, and diverse academic environment
  • +Engaging and approachable professors and mentors
  • +Welcoming atmosphere and helpful staff
  • +Practical, project-based learning (DBE)
  • +Opportunities for real-world experience and international exposure
  • +Flexible online learning model
  • +Academic rigor and intellectual challenge
  • +Supportive faculty and administration
Cons
  • -Poor quality of instruction and unengaging student discussions.
  • -Ineffective project management and lack of professional experience among peers.
  • -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.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of resources are a frequent complaint.
  • -Inconsistent teaching quality and unhelpful instructors are a major concern.
  • -Administrative and communication problems create significant frustration for students.

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  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources are a significant drawback.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support is a recurring problem.
  • -Poor communication and lack of teacher support are major issues.
  • -Disorganization and unclear assessments lead to student confusion.
  • -Inconsistent feedback and arbitrary grading practices are frustrating.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment hinder learning.
  • -Ineffective teaching and curriculum lead to poor educational outcomes.
Rating summary
What students say

Across several key areas, the institution receives commendable ratings. Its strongest performances are noted in Value and Internationality, both achieving near-perfect scores. Professors also garnered exceptionally high marks. The weakest area is Location, which, while still positive, is rated lower than other aspects. Student Life, Accomodation, and Facilities all fall within a strong middle range.

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 university scores exceptionally well in academic-related areas, with Professors and Facilities receiving the highest marks at 4.67 and 4.56 respectively. Student Life and Internationality are also strong. The weakest area identified is Accomodation, which received a rating of 3.56. Overall, the university demonstrates a solid reputation across most aspects.

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A notable strength lies in the university's **Internationality**, achieving a high rating of 4.875. Conversely, **Student Life** received the lowest score at 2.625, suggesting an area for potential improvement. Other areas, including Accommodation, Location, Value, and Professors, fall within a moderate to good range, indicating a generally well-rounded offering with specific areas of excellence and those needing development.

This institution garners exceptional ratings in **Facilities** (4.41) and **Internationality** (4.46), indicating a robust and globally connected campus environment. Student life also scores well at 4.07. Conversely, **Accomodation** (3.62) and **Professors** (3.81) are the areas with the lowest reported satisfaction, suggesting room for improvement in these aspects.

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.

Reviews summary
Highlights

University students largely praise the insightful sports management content, quality professors, and valuable networking opportunities, with a ~96% positive sentiment. A small fraction of feedback (~4%) mentions issues with academic support variability or program depth.

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

Around ~63% of 27 reviews highlight positive experiences, praising practical learning and experienced lecturers. No negative reviews were recorded.

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Most feedback is positive (~74%), highlighting practical learning, entrepreneurship focus, and internationalism. There are no negative reviews in the provided data.

Around ~86% of reviews are positive, highlighting a welcoming atmosphere and practical, project-based learning. A smaller portion (~6.4%) of feedback criticizes poor organization, unclear assignments, and a lack of teacher availability or feedback.

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.

Rating distribution
5★
85%
39%
21%
0%
25%
22%
84%
4★
15%
49%
43%
0%
38%
65%
11%
3★
4%
12%
36%
0%
38%
7%
5%
2★
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
1★
4%
0%
0%
0%
0%
5%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
A life-changing experience in Sports Industry

A perfect synergy between theoretical knowledge, practical application, and high-quality networking. After completing the Master in Sport Management at Johan Cruyff Institute, I took a major step forward in my career in the sports industry. What truly sets this institution apart is the closeness and support of the professors and staff, as well as the enriching experiences shared with fellow students. Without a doubt, it has been one of the most transformative decisions of my life.

:)

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.

HU, the trade-offs school.

As the title suggests, in my experience as a third-year business student, that is the best short description that can be given to HU. It definitely is not the best school and there are flaws, very annoying and disappointing at times, which take time to be solved. Most of these flaws are related to communication issues. In contrast, it has some advantages too. I had the opportunity to meet and be taught by experienced professionals who helped me develop my skills and enhance my knowledge and abilities as a young business student and professional. Another very good advantage is that at HU you get to do 2 internships and one study abroad, trio that other universities do not offer. Also, with the new program, there is so much flexibility to shape your own path but also the opportunity to study more languages which constitute a great asset for one's future career. The city represents a good pawn as well since it is very central, modern and student friendly. Also, for someone who wants to travel every now and then, it is a perfect location. What I can recommend you, the one who reads this review, the undecided student, is that you should consider these things when you decide which school you want to go to, try to have your own trade-off between what is important to you and how the institution is ranking in different aspects. HU is, in the end, a good school and the issues that are going on are not major and are fixable so do not worry too much about that. I just wanted to be realistic while writing this review because this is what I would have liked to read when I was in your place. Good luck!

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Creative Business

Studying Creative Business at NHL Stenden has been a great experience with a few bumps down the road. Generally speaking, I'm very glad about my choice to study here - as an international student I am surrounded by other internationals which makes me feel more welcome and comfortable; this university has provided me with numerous extracurricular opportunities, which were not only great for networking and finding like-minded connections, but also getting extremely nice and useful experience, whether it's working on a real set with professional production equipment or creating content and representing my course on social media! When it comes to the study itself, it usually is pretty confusing, as students are usually just thrown into practical projects without initial preparation and sometimes not enough guidance. However, once you get used to design-based education, you realize how exciting the assignments actually are - working with real clients, producing your own ideas and seeing them come to life, and just "creativity, creativity, creativity" everywhere. I recommend this university for those who are not afraid of teamwork, thinking outside of the box, and being independent.

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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