CBS International Business School - CBS vs IU International University of Applied Sciences vs Georg-August-Universität Göttingen vs PFH Private University of Applied Sciences vs Forward College

Side-by-side comparison from 175 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: NIT The Business School at the Hamburg University of Technology (5.00)
CBS International Business School - CBS: wins 0/5 categories
IU International University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/5 categories
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen: wins 0/5 categories
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/5 categories
Forward College: wins 2/5 categories
HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts: wins 0/5 categories
NIT The Business School at the Hamburg University of Technology: wins 3/5 categories
Comparing
Best programme: International Business (B.Sc.)
Best programme: MBA
Best programme: Cardiovascular Science
Best programme: Business Administration
Paris, France
4.90
Read more reviews
16 reviews
×
Best programme: Politics and International Relations
Best programme: MBA In Technology Management
Category ratings
Facilities
4.58
3.69
4.60
3.00
4.47
Not rated
4.75
Win
Location
4.00
3.87
4.17
4.00
5.00
Win
Not rated
4.50
Professors
4.50
4.43
4.30
3.50
5.00
Not rated
5.00
Internationality
4.67
4.44
4.75
1.50
4.75
Not rated
4.25
Student life
4.58
3.62
4.45
1.50
4.73
Not rated
4.75
Win
Value
4.50
4.32
4.50
2.00
4.63
Win
Not rated
4.25
Accommodation
3.83
3.11
3.80
1.00
4.33
Not rated
5.00
Win
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Knowledgeable and supportive faculty with real-world experience
  • +Practical, industry-focused curriculum and learning opportunities
  • +Modern campus facilities and networking opportunities
  • +Flexible online study for work-life balance
  • +Modern, intuitive digital platform for easy access
  • +Relevant, high-quality educational content
  • +Rigorous academic curriculum and highly qualified faculty
  • +Innovative, practical, and diverse learning experiences
  • +Freedom to choose courses and specialized programs
  • +Practical focus and dual study programs
  • +Approachable instructors and small classes
  • +Strong soft skills development
  • +Engaging learning environment with interactive methods
  • +Diverse and international student community
  • +Unique multi-city European study experience

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  • +Strong technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation focus
  • +Small classes and personal lecturer/staff experience
  • +Excellent value for money and career/life start opportunities
Cons
  • -Administrative & management issues
  • -Outdated facilities
  • -Lack of engagement from instructors
  • -Slow and unresponsive administrative processes, including grade processing and student support.
  • -Poor staff attitude and lack of accountability for errors in student records and applications.
  • -Inadequate support and guidance for online students.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance.
  • -Inefficient administrative processes and lack of clear communication.
  • -Overcrowded classes and insufficient academic support.
  • -Disappointing academic quality and hidden extra costs.
  • -Administrative & management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a concern.
  • -Lack of transparency and communication is prevalent.

Nothing to show

  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are a consistent problem.
  • -Lack of clear communication and course organization leads to confusion.
Rating summary
What students say

This institution garners impressive scores across several key areas. It particularly excels in **Internationality**, receiving the highest rating. **Facilities** and **Student Life** also score exceptionally well, reflecting positive student experiences. While most aspects are strong, **Accomodation** stands out as the weakest area, with a comparatively lower rating. The overall assessment indicates a well-rounded university with some room for improvement in housing.

This institution garners notable praise in several key areas, with **Internationality** and **Professors** receiving particularly high scores. The **Value** proposition is also well-regarded. Conversely, **Accomodation** stands out as the lowest-rated aspect. Other aspects like Facilities, Location, and Student Life fall within a more moderate range of positive feedback.

This institution demonstrates notable strengths in **Internationality** and **Facilities**, with ratings of 4.75 and 4.6 respectively. **Student Life** also scores highly at 4.45. The **Accomodation** rating of 3.8 indicates this area is comparatively weaker. Overall, the university receives positive marks across most categories, including **Professors**, **Location**, and **Value**.

This institution demonstrates notable strengths in its location, which received a high rating. However, areas requiring significant improvement include accommodation and student life, both receiving the lowest scores. Other aspects like facilities, professors, internationality, and value fall within a moderate to low range.

This university garners excellent reviews, particularly excelling in its **professors and location**, both achieving perfect scores. Student life and internationality also stand out with scores above 4.7. Areas with slightly lower, though still strong, ratings include **facilities and accommodation**. Overall, the university presents a well-rounded positive student experience with high marks across most aspects.

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This institution excels in several key areas, earning perfect scores for Professors and Accomodation, and near-perfect ratings for Facilities and Student Life. Its strongest aspects clearly lie in the academic and living experiences offered. Conversely, the university's Internationality and Value for money received the lowest scores among the surveyed categories, indicating areas where there is room for improvement.

Reviews summary
Highlights

With ~92% positive sentiment, reviews highlight knowledgeable, supportive professors and an engaging, practical curriculum. Students appreciate the modern campus and networking opportunities, though some desire more career-focused events.

~95% of reviews are positive, praising flexibility, modern platforms, and accessible materials. A small percentage (~5%) mention issues with grading delays and slow administrative support.

With 18 of 20 reviews being positive (4-5 stars), students praise rigorous academics, qualified professors, and innovative, practical learning experiences. The university offers diverse course options and excellent research facilities. No negative feedback was recorded.

With an average rating of 3/5, student feedback is split, with roughly 50% positive and 50% negative. Positive comments highlight practical programs and accessible instructors, while negative reviews criticize a perceived lack of substance behind marketing efforts and unexpected costs.

Students highly praise the interactive learning, international community, and opportunities for academic and personal growth. There are no negative reviews.

Nothing to show

All five reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5/5. Students highlight a strong focus on technology and entrepreneurship, small class sizes, and a positive learning experience. No negative feedback was provided.

Rating distribution
5★
58%
63%
45%
0%
94%
0%
100%
4★
33%
27%
45%
50%
6%
0%
0%
3★
8%
6%
10%
0%
0%
0%
0%
2★
0%
2%
0%
50%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
My little experience in CBS business school

I've had a good experience so far while I've been studying at CBS. However, the majority of students are of German nationality, while there are also students from other nations. If you're feeling under the weather or don't feel like going to school, they provide a blended learning option that allows you to stay at home and participate in the class simultaneously online. The campus in Cologne is not particularly cutting-edge, but I've heard that the campus in Mainz is more or less cutting-edge and attractive. The instructors and departmental officials are all cordial. The School encourages pupils to participate in a variety of sports because it values a healthy balance between work and recreation. As a result of CBS's partnerships with various significant businesses, the School is able to maintain its curricula current with the needs of the modern business world. Additionally, partnerships allow CBS to give its students greater options for internships and professional experience. By participating in business projects in collaboration with well-known companies, students can also gain important information and skills.

The best university in the world

My experience with IU is very wonderful and exceptional. The learning process is smooth and easy especially for online students and the exams are well tailored to test your knowledge on what you have been learning. It is quite great indeed.

Nice choice for studying

Very famous university in Germany with strengths in both humanities and natural sciences. One can feel a very harmonious academic atmosphere here. Very systematically structured subject modules are offered, and practice and theories are linked and well balanced. However, in some courses, you have to study very hard because they are very demanding. Unfortunately, if you want to complete a master's degree within 4 semesters, you don't have much time for your private life. However, you have a lot of freedom, you can decide when and what you want to study, and many options are open and flexible. The lecturers and professors are always very helpful, you can always turn to the carefree, both about the study, as well as about student life. A bright library is available where you can find everything you need. The internationality and interculturality are, in my opinion, the highlight of this university: students and teachers come from all over the world and speak different languages, and everyone is welcome. The campus is not very modern and big, but the equipment in the lecture hall can usually support the learning process well. You can study here smoothly quietly, but not much else - since the city of Göttingen is quite small and boring. With the semester ticket at a high price, you can still unfortunately not reach many interesting cities. The food in the refectories is also only to cope with hunger. The apartment search is a very big question, but that is not only something specific in Göttingen. Many student jobs and internships are offered at the university, but you can also easily find opportunities on the job market. I can't comment much on careers at the moment because I haven't graduated yet. On the whole, I would recommend uni göttingen to others, because I like life very much - it is also fun when you can find the solution to overcome various difficulties yourself. Don't worry about the boredom, it's a student city, after all, and you'll definitely get your friend zone;)

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Great modern university approach

I am currently a 3rd year student at Forward College and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to other students. The interactive approach of Forward where questions, debate, and discussion were encouraged enhanced my learning so much and I feel like I genuinely enjoyed every class. Having the experience of living in 3 different cultures, surrounded by people from all over the world made this experience even more special and helped me develop and grow in so many ways. Another aspect I have loved are the professors. Speaking with friends at other university I am so grateful to have teachers that actually know us, are excited to teach and interact with us, and will always take the time to help you.

Nothing to show

Fascinating experience

Excellent small school with a strong focus on technology and entrepreneurship; small classes; personal experience with lecturers and staff; well-designed curriculum; good lectures and interesting guest lecturers; a lot of traveling if you don't live in Hamburg's south, but manageable for three semesters; excellent value for money compared to UK/US schools, even without receiving one of the many scholarships; financial breakeven in less than two years; well-known in northern Germany, but now more so in central Europe; each class has one or two larger successful startups, with founders frequently giving lectures on campus; the alumni network feels more like a family than a pure "business network"; the new CEO is driving growth; and there are plenty of opportunities and support provided for extracurricular activities, initiatives, etc.

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