University of Helsinki vs Aalto University vs Tampere University of Applied Sciences - TAMK vs South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences - XAMK vs Arcada University of Applied Sciences - UAS

Side-by-side comparison from 100 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences - XAMK (4.90)
University of Helsinki: wins 2/7 categories
Aalto University: wins 0/7 categories
Tampere University of Applied Sciences - TAMK: wins 0/7 categories
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences - XAMK: wins 1/7 categories
Arcada University of Applied Sciences - UAS: wins 1/7 categories
Estonian Business School - EBS: wins 1/7 categories
Centria University of Applied Sciences: wins 2/7 categories
Comparing
Helsinki, Finland
4.30
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19 reviews
×
Best programme: Botany
Espoo, Finland
4.70
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37 reviews
×
Best programme: Computer Engineering
Best programme: Bachelor of Nursing
Best programme: BHC in Nursing
Best programme: Finance
Best programme: International Business Administration
Best programme: Business Administration in Management
Category ratings
Facilities
4.85
Win
4.41
3.50
4.79
4.67
3.98
4.00
Location
4.42
4.08
4.33
4.50
4.33
4.95
Win
4.00
Professors
4.57
4.14
4.17
4.92
5.00
Win
4.67
4.00
Internationality
4.36
4.35
4.33
4.75
Win
4.33
4.25
4.00
Student life
4.79
Win
4.32
4.17
4.54
4.33
4.17
4.00
Value
4.50
4.38
3.67
4.75
4.67
4.40
5.00
Win
Accommodation
4.43
4.26
4.00
4.42
4.00
2.42
5.00
Win
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +High-quality teaching and research
  • +Supportive academic environment and student culture
  • +Balance of independence and guidance in studies
  • +Interdisciplinary studies and cross-major flexibility
  • +Independent learning and hands-on, practical experiences
  • +Strong community support and active student life
  • +Strong sense of community and support
  • +Excellent teaching and learning atmosphere
  • +Welcoming international environment and good facilities
  • +Passionate, supportive, and communicative educators
  • +Practical, career-focused programmes and real-world connections
  • +International atmosphere and flexible learning paths
  • +Practical, relevant learning and real-world projects
  • +Supportive and knowledgeable staff
  • +Modern facilities and updated resources
  • +Practical, skill-focused academics and helpful professors
  • +Value for money and flexibility for combining study with work
  • +Internationality and diverse academic and career opportunities
  • +Supportive professors and practical learning
  • +Global opportunities and accessible location
  • +Personal development and useful knowledge acquisition
Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues are a consistent problem.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources are a significant drawback.
  • -Poor communication and lack of support are frequently mentioned.
  • -Lack of responsiveness and clarity from administration.
  • -Outdated and poorly maintained facilities.
  • -Insufficient academic support and resources.
  • -Administrative and management issues frustrate students.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are a common complaint.
  • -Lack of resources and limited course offerings disappoint students.
  • -Inefficient administrative processes cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment hinder learning.
  • -Lack of clear communication and transparency from staff creates confusion.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and insufficient resources hinder learning.
  • -Poor communication and lack of support are prevalent concerns.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a frequent source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources are consistently criticized.
  • -The curriculum is perceived as irrelevant or poorly structured by many students.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and technology hinder learning and comfort.
  • -Lack of essential resources and support negatively impacts student experience.
Rating summary
What students say

The university garners exceptional ratings in several key areas. Facilities stand out with a near-perfect score, closely followed by a robust Student Life. While professors and accommodation also score highly, Internationality represents the lowest-rated aspect, though still at a respectable level. The overall value proposition remains strong.

This institution exhibits a strong overall performance, particularly excelling in its **Facilities**, which received the highest rating. **Student Life** and **Internationality** also scored very well. The **Location** emerged as the area with the lowest rating, though it still falls within a generally positive range. The university demonstrates a commendable balance across its assessed aspects.

The university scores well across multiple aspects, with **Location** and **Internationality** standing out as particularly strong areas, both receiving a rating of 4.33. **Professors** and **Student Life** are also rated highly at 4.17. The **Facilities** represent the weakest area, with a rating of 3.5, followed by **Value** at 3.67. **Accomodation** is rated a solid 4.

This institution earns exceptionally high marks, particularly in the **professors** category with a near-perfect score. **Facilities** and **internationality** also stand out with strong ratings. Areas receiving slightly lower, though still positive, scores include **student life** and **accommodation**. Overall, the university demonstrates a well-rounded positive profile.

This institution demonstrates outstanding strengths in its **Professors**, achieving a perfect score. Facilities and Value also receive exceptionally high marks. Conversely, Accomodation is the lowest-rated category. Other aspects like Location, Student Life, and Internationality are well-regarded, indicating a generally positive student experience.

This institution receives particularly high marks for its Location, scoring an impressive 4.95, and Professors, rated at 4.67. Students also appreciate the Internationality and Value, with scores of 4.25 and 4.4 respectively. The weakest area identified is Accomodation, with a rating of 2.42, suggesting room for improvement in this aspect. Facilities and Student Life also received solid, though not exceptional, scores.

Overall, this institution garners strong marks, with accommodation and value standing out as exceptional strengths, both receiving perfect scores. Facilities, professors, location, student life, and internationality are all rated highly, demonstrating a consistently positive experience across these key aspects.

Reviews summary
Highlights

With 17 out of 19 reviews being positive (~89%) and an average rating of 4.32, students praise the high-quality research and teaching, supportive environment, and city life. No negative feedback was provided.

The university receives overwhelmingly positive feedback (~100% of reviews) with an average rating of 4.44/5. Recurring themes highlight the value of interdisciplinary studies, independent learning, and strong community support.

Reviews indicate a strong sense of community and helpful staff, with ~74% of feedback being positive. Some suggestions for improvement include better funding for facilities and further development of international programs.

All 26 reviews are positive, averaging 4.88/5. Students praise practical, student-centered education, supportive teachers, and innovation. A minor concern was difficulty securing clinical practice due to language skills.

All 100% of reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.25/5. Students highlight a sense of belonging, welcoming staff, practical learning, and modern facilities. Some mention concern about course scheduling.

All 6 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.67/5. Students praise the excellent academics and helpful professors, noting practical learning and international focus.

With a 4/5 average rating and no negative feedback (~0%), students praise freedom to develop, practical learning, and supportive professors. The university's global network and accessible location with affordable accommodation are also highlighted.

Rating distribution
5★
42%
57%
29%
88%
25%
67%
0%
4★
47%
38%
14%
12%
75%
33%
100%
3★
11%
11%
57%
0%
0%
0%
0%
2★
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
High quality teaching and research

Helsinki University is a diverse and cozy university with high quality teaching and research. The teachers are intelligent and kind and easy to talk to. The programs and subjects are well planned out and the work load for courses are usually decent, not too much or too little. I also loved the student culture and clubs on the campus. Also. If you ever need help with your studies you can always get help and guidance to plan your studies or solve problems.

Great combinations of business and tech

I graduated from Aalto University's School of Business, majoring in Marketing, and I'd genuinely recommend it. What made the biggest difference for me, though, was the freedom to take courses outside my own major. I ended up mixing in some technology and design courses with my marketing courses, and that has turned out to be one of the most useful parts of my degree.

Nothing to show

My experience studying nursing at Xamk.

Studying nursing at Xamk has been a practical and rewarding experience to me regardless of my previous background in-terms of profession. The programme strongly focuses on hands-on skills, simulation training, and clinical placements, which has helped me connect theory directly to real nursing practice. The teachers are supportive and approachable, and the learning environment encourages growth both professionally and personally, being able to also learn a new language (Finnish) within a short period of time with the help of Xamk has been a great milestone to me. Overall, Xamk has prepared me well for working life in healthcare.

ARCADA experience - Mechanical Engineering

In all honesty, my university offers a fantastic level of education, dedicated and extensively knowledgeable lecturers, as well as a spacious, clean, modern campus. These items make it a great place to study. However, one specific trait that bothers me personally is that some of the more important courses are limited to a single period (half a semester), to make space for other courses that I deem unnecessary or that could be optional instead of mandatory. Overall, my experience at Arcada has been outstanding.

Nothing to show

Innovative, caring and multicultural environment

Centria UAS is a good university where students feel free to develop themselves and learn useful knowledge. The school has a broad Erasmus network and other partners around the world. Professors at Centria are qualified and enthusiastic in their lectures. They are always willing to help and encourage students in any problems. The theory is practically applied in every lesson via teamwork, presentations, and assignments. Cheap accommodation and easy to access to the school due to a good location. Staff are very friendly, helpful and polite. I have enjoyed a great time at Centria and went on a Double degree exchange program in France which would be obviously a great opportunity for my career prospects. About Kokkola, it is a small town with all warmhearted and helpful people. I always feel safe when staying here. This place is like my second home.

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