Central European University - CEU vs Corvinus University of Budapest - BCE vs University of Debrecen vs ESSCA School of Management vs Budapest Metropolitan University

Side-by-side comparison from 156 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Tie
Central European University - CEU: wins 0/7 categories
Corvinus University of Budapest - BCE: wins 2/7 categories
University of Debrecen: wins 4/7 categories
ESSCA School of Management: wins 0/7 categories
Budapest Metropolitan University: wins 0/7 categories
University of Pécs Faculty of Business and Economics: wins 1/7 categories
University of Nyíregyháza: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Philosophy
Best programme: Communication Studies
Debrecen, Hungary
4.50
Read more reviews
85 reviews
×
Best programme: Chemistry
Best programme: Programme Grande Ecole (PGE)
Best programme: Animation
Best programme: MSc Management & Leadership
Category ratings
Facilities
3.56
4.50
4.68
Win
3.80
3.33
4.36
1.00
Location
3.44
4.67
Win
4.33
4.26
3.33
4.57
1.00
Professors
4.22
4.25
4.46
Win
3.92
3.67
4.36
2.00
Internationality
4.78
4.56
4.83
Win
3.92
4.00
4.64
2.00
Student life
4.00
4.50
Win
4.49
4.17
3.00
3.80
2.00
Value
3.78
4.38
4.43
3.76
3.33
4.50
Win
1.00
Accommodation
3.75
4.06
4.24
Win
3.44
3.00
4.21
4.00
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Diverse student body and international perspective
  • +High academic rigor and intellectual stimulation
  • +Expert faculty and dedicated mentorship
  • +Strong economics and business programs
  • +Supportive and expert faculty and staff
  • +International atmosphere and location
  • +Approachable and invested lecturers
  • +Well-structured, engaging programmes with practical application
  • +International environment and community building
  • +High-quality, practical education with specialized pathways.
  • +Supportive, close-knit learning environment and friendly atmosphere.
  • +Vibrant campus life with numerous enriching activities and social connections.
  • +Unique, broad, and exploratory learning approach
  • +Modern, open-minded environment
  • +Practical, up-to-date curriculum with real-world focus
  • +Affordable, international study environment
  • +Welcoming city with good social opportunities
  • +Engaging instructors and inspiring teaching
  • +Relevant and practical curriculum
  • +Excellent career support and opportunities
Cons
  • -Rigid academic structure and lack of intellectual engagement.
  • -Insufficient financial aid and rising tuition fees.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a recurring problem.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of resources are frequently cited.
  • -There is a general dissatisfaction with the curriculum and teaching quality.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant stress.
  • -Lack of teacher support and career counseling hinders student progress.
  • -Study quality is often poor, especially in non-medical fields.
  • -Poor quality and preparedness of professors
  • -Lack of relevance in courses and teaching
  • -Ineffective organization and management
  • -Lack of practical skills and real-world application in the curriculum.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of resources hinder learning.
  • -The curriculum is often perceived as irrelevant and poorly delivered.
  • -Administrative and management issues are prevalent.
  • -Poor English proficiency of some professors hinders learning.
  • -Lack of student support and care is a significant concern.
Rating summary
What students say

Internationality stands out as the strongest area, achieving an impressive rating. Conversely, facilities present the weakest aspect, with a score of 3.56. Other areas like professors and student life received strong marks, while location, accommodation, and value also scored positively, indicating a generally well-regarded institution with distinct strengths and some room for improvement in its physical infrastructure.

The university demonstrates excellent performance in several key areas, with location receiving the highest marks. Facilities and student life are also rated highly. While accommodations are generally positive, they represent the lowest-rated aspect of the university experience. Overall, the institution presents a strong offering with particularly notable strengths in its physical environment and student engagement.

Overall, this university garners strong ratings across most aspects. Internationality stands out as a particularly high-scoring area, reflecting a well-developed global presence. Conversely, accommodation received the lowest rating among the surveyed categories. Other areas like facilities, student life, and professors also received favorable scores, indicating a generally positive university experience.

This institution excels in its **location**, receiving the highest rating. Student life and internationality are also well-regarded. However, **accommodation** presents the weakest area, with a lower score compared to other aspects. The university demonstrates a solid standing in facilities and professors, with value also scoring respectably.

This university presents a generally positive but mixed picture. Its strongest areas include Internationality, scoring a solid 4. Professors also received a commendable rating of 3.67. Conversely, Student Life and Accommodation are its weakest points, both averaging a 3. Facilities, Location, and Value are all rated moderately at 3.33.

This university garners high marks in several key areas, with Internationality and Location being particularly strong at 4.64 and 4.57 respectively. Facilities, Professors, and Value also receive excellent scores, all above 4.35. Accommodations are rated well at 4.21. Student Life, however, is the weakest area with a rating of 3.8.

This institution excels in its accommodation facilities, receiving a high rating of 4. Conversely, areas requiring significant improvement include facilities, location, and value for money, all scoring a low 1. Professors, student life, and internationality received moderate ratings of 2, indicating these aspects are neither a strong suit nor a major weakness.

Reviews summary
Highlights

~70% of reviews are positive, highlighting diversity, teaching methods, and faculty expertise. ~20% of feedback is negative, citing rigid academic structure and a lack of critical engagement.

With an average rating of 4.28/5 from 18 reviews, approximately 100% of feedback is positive. Students highlight strong Economics and Business programs, international atmosphere, and a strategic campus location. No negative reviews were recorded.

~74% of reviews are positive, highlighting beautiful buildings, friendly lecturers, and a diverse international community. A small percentage (~4%) express concerns about academic support and specific program quality.

Approximately 74% of reviews are positive, highlighting good knowledge transfer, practical experience, and vibrant campus life. A small portion (~8%) of negative feedback mentions unprepared professors and irrelevant courses.

With an average rating of 3/5, student feedback is mixed. Approximately 33% of reviews are negative, citing a lack of technical skills and real-world experience. Positive comments highlight the university's unique, modern, and open-minded approach.

~93% of reviews are positive, highlighting practical, up-to-date curricula and hands-on learning. Negative feedback, representing ~0%, was not provided.

This university has received one review, which is negative. The student rated it 1 out of 5 stars, citing unprofessionalism, poor program management, and English language difficulties among some professors.

Rating distribution
5★
30%
39%
38%
32%
0%
57%
0%
4★
40%
50%
49%
44%
33%
36%
0%
3★
10%
11%
20%
16%
33%
7%
0%
2★
10%
0%
1%
4%
33%
0%
0%
1★
10%
0%
4%
4%
0%
0%
100%
Most useful review
Most liked

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Excellent International Opportunity

Previously studying in the USA, moving to Budapest was a complete culture shock. However, this university offers a vigorous program with ample opportunities for students who want a career in diplomacy and foreign affairs. I feel constantly challenged and surrounded by bright-minded thinkers. Throwing myself into a new country, new culture, and new language has allowed me to truly be immersed in this field of study. While the program is in English, there are ample opportunities for additional foreign language classes. The fact that this university offers scholarships and the base price of tuition is already so low, is an added bonus.

A well-rounded programme

The university offers a strong academic foundation with well-structured courses and a wide range of modules to choose from. I appreciated the flexibility of the programme, which allowed me to explore my interests while still gaining core knowledge in my field. Lecturers were approachable and genuinely invested in students’ growth, and the academic support available was excellent. However, I found that some courses were a bit too theoretical and would have benefited from more hands-on or industry-relevant components. Despite that, the overall environment encouraged self-discipline, curiosity, and collaboration. I would recommend this university to students who are self-motivated and eager to take ownership of their learning journey.

Well-rounded programme

Overall, I had a positive experience at ESSCA. The programme is well organized and provides a solid foundation in business and management. The courses were generally of good quality and covered a broad range of topics, helping students develop both academic knowledge and practical skills. One of the aspects I appreciated most was the international exchange during the third year. ESSCA has a good network of partner universities, and the opportunity to study abroad was a valuable part of the programme. Student life is also a real strength of the school. The associative environment is active and offers many opportunities to get involved outside the classroom, meet new people, and gain additional experience. Like any programme, some courses were more engaging than others, but overall I found the experience enriching and would recommend it to students looking for a business school with a strong international dimension and a good balance between academics and extracurricular activities.

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Modern, practical and worth It

My experience with the Business Development Master’s program has been really great overall. It offers high-quality education with practical knowledge. The courses are well-structured. The program has been renewed and designed to match current business trends, not just old-school textbook knowledge. We worked on a bunch of case studies, group projects, and presentations. We also experienced real business scenarios in every semester from subjects like Project Management, Tutorial: Startup Lab, Marketing Analysis and Planning, ESG, etc. Another important factor is affordability. Compared to many other master’s programs in Europe, this one gives really good value for money. You’re getting a strong education, experienced lecturers, and a modern curriculum, without the crazy tuition fees you’d expect elsewhere. The programme also feels fresh and up-to-date. Topics like innovation, strategy, and business development are approached in a way that reflects what’s actually happening in the business world today. The atmosphere is great. The community is diverse, and working with people from different backgrounds adds a lot to the experience. Plus you can meet different cultures and get new friends from all around the World. Also the study department is a huge help for every student. I used to be a Student Representative and working with the staff was easy, because they supported and informed us constantly. Overall, I’d say the Business Development Master’s at PTE KTK is a great choice if you’re looking for something modern, practical, and affordable, without sacrificing quality.

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