IESE Business School vs Universitat de Barcelona - UB vs Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - UPC vs Universitat Oberta de Catalunya - UOC vs Harbour.Space University

Side-by-side comparison from 424 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Neuro Business School - NBS (4.80)
IESE Business School: wins 2/7 categories
Universitat de Barcelona - UB: wins 0/7 categories
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - UPC: wins 0/7 categories
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya - UOC: wins 0/7 categories
Harbour.Space University: wins 1/7 categories
Neuro Business School - NBS: wins 4/7 categories
allWomen: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Barcelona, Spain
4.70
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68 reviews
×
Best programme: MBA
Best programme: Chemistry
Best programme: Aerospace Engineering
Best programme: Advertising and Communication
Best programme: Digital Marketing
4.80
Top
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20 reviews
×
Best programme: MSc in NeuroMarketing
Barcelona, Spain
4.20
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9 reviews
×
Best programme: Data Science
Category ratings
Facilities
4.36
4.03
3.84
3.15
4.16
4.65
Win
4.25
Location
4.73
Win
4.17
3.79
3.85
4.58
4.41
4.38
Professors
4.62
4.08
4.01
3.69
4.53
4.75
Win
4.67
Internationality
4.74
3.96
3.78
3.77
5.00
Win
4.80
4.44
Student life
4.70
Win
4.14
3.88
2.70
4.53
4.65
4.22
Value
4.64
4.09
4.11
3.73
4.11
4.70
Win
4.44
Accommodation
4.09
3.89
3.81
3.22
3.50
4.41
Win
4.38
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Inspiring cultural experiences and inclusive communities
  • +Strong career advancement opportunities and alumni networks
  • +High-quality academics and excellent faculty engagement
  • +Renowned scholars and engaging, supportive professors
  • +Vibrant international environment and diverse student body
  • +Inspiring city and enriching academic programmes
  • +Supportive and professional faculty, fostering independent problem-solving.
  • +Relevant curriculum with a balance of theory and practical application.
  • +Excellent facilities, innovative focus, and positive campus environment.
  • +Flexible online model and well-structured virtual platform
  • +Autonomy and personalized learning pace
  • +Accessible and responsive faculty support
  • +Practical, project-based learning with real-world application
  • +Instruction from experienced industry professionals and global leaders
  • +Collaborative and supportive learning environment
  • +Practical, applied learning focus
  • +Engaging, creative teaching methods
  • +Supportive and inspiring instructors
  • +Engaging and supportive instructors
  • +Practical and relevant course content
  • +Strong community and peer support
Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources negatively impact the learning experience.
  • -Lack of communication and support from the institution is a recurring problem.
  • -Outdated facilities and insufficient resources for students.
  • -Ineffective and outdated teaching methods from instructors.
  • -Limited digital resources and lack of personalized support.
  • -Lack of focus on quality over difficulty
  • -Overly competitive and high failure rates in subjects
  • -- Administrative and communication issues lead to confusion and lack of support.
  • -- Unclear and inconsistent assessment criteria hinder academic progress.
  • -- Disorganized content and poor web usability create a frustrating learning experience.
  • -Lack of intellectual rigor and outdated educational approach.
  • -Disconnect between marketing and actual industry relevance.
  • -Disappointing value for money, especially for full-time programs.
  • -Inconsistent and inadequate course materials and instruction.
  • -Poor organization and communication from staff.
  • -Administrative & management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are frequently criticized.
  • -Lack of effective communication and support is a recurring problem.
Rating summary
What students say

Overall, the university garners strong student satisfaction. Its most highly rated aspects include Internationality (4.74), Location (4.73), and Student Life (4.70). Professors (4.62) and Value (4.64) also receive excellent scores. The weakest area, though still positive, is Accomodation at 4.09, while Facilities are rated at 4.36.

Generally, this university garners positive feedback from students. Location and value are particular strengths, both scoring above 4.0. Student life also receives high marks. The weakest area appears to be accommodation, with a rating of 3.89. Facilities and internationality are rated moderately well, falling just below the 4.0 threshold. Professors also received a solid rating.

This university receives high marks, particularly for its **Value (4.11)**, indicating strong student satisfaction with the overall return on investment. **Professors (4.01)** are also a significant strength. Among the lower-rated areas, **Internationality (3.78)** and **Location (3.79)** present opportunities for improvement, though still within a generally positive range. Facilities, Student Life, and Accommodation all fall comfortably in the upper 3s.

This institution received its highest marks for location, with a score of 3.85. Internationality and value were also strong points, both scoring above 3.7. Conversely, student life presented the weakest area, registering a 2.7. Facilities and accommodation also received mid-range scores. Professors were rated favorably, indicating a generally positive, albeit uneven, university experience.

This institution excels in several key areas, with **Internationality** receiving a perfect score. **Location** and **Student Life** are also highly rated, closely followed by **Professors**. **Facilities** and **Value** are strong, while **Accomodation** stands out as the lowest-scoring aspect.

This institution garners impressive ratings across multiple facets, notably excelling in **Internationality (4.8)** and **Professors (4.75)**. Facilities and Student Life also score highly at 4.65. Areas scoring lower, though still strong, include Location and Accommodation, both at 4.41. The university demonstrates a well-rounded offering with outstanding marks in its global reach and academic staff.

With high marks across the board, this university excels in faculty expertise, earning a near-perfect 4.67. Its location and accommodation are also well-regarded at 4.38. Student life, though strong at 4.22, represents the lowest-rated category in this assessment. Internationality and value for money are notably strong, both receiving 4.44.

Reviews summary
Highlights

With a ~100% positive rating, reviews highlight exceptional experiences, transformative professional growth, and excellent faculty. Students praise the welcoming culture, global diversity, and strong career connections. No negative feedback was recorded.

Approximately 74% of reviews are positive, praising academics, international environment, and supportive professors. A small percentage (around 3.9%) mentions administrative process speed and outdated facilities.

Overwhelmingly positive feedback (99%) highlights professional and supportive teachers, effective learning of problem-solving skills, and new, clean campus facilities. Minimal negative feedback exists.

Approximately 74% of reviews are positive, highlighting flexibility and a well-structured online platform. A small portion of feedback (~12%) is negative, mentioning issues with instruction clarity, administrative errors, and customer service.

Most (~95%) reviews are positive, highlighting practical, project-based learning from industry professionals and a collaborative atmosphere. One review found the program too easy.

With an average rating of 4.8/5 based on 20 reviews, ~95% of students are highly satisfied. Positive feedback highlights practical application, creative thinking, and inspiring teachers. A single negative review (5%) found the full-time program costly for limited class hours.

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with ~100% of feedback recommending the program. Students highlight great teachers, practical course content, and a supportive, diverse community as key strengths. There are no negative reviews.

Rating distribution
5★
69%
24%
19%
39%
47%
95%
56%
4★
28%
54%
69%
36%
42%
0%
11%
3★
3%
18%
11%
12%
5%
0%
33%
2★
0%
4%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
0%
0%
12%
5%
5%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Best MBA to do a triple career change

Being at IESE was one of the best experiences of my life: 1- Professionally: this MBA is one of the best connected schools with top consultancy and banking sectors. for example, the 3 MBBs come to the school to train and interview candidates, ensuring a higher successful rate. It allowed me to jump from a civil engineering position to work for McKinsey. 2- Personal and cultural : amazing transformative 2 years, with people from all over the world (73 nationalities in my class) with great values. Totally worthy it.

Navigating University While Not Always in Class

Honestly, I didn't attend class that often, so my connection to the university was more practical than emotional. I appreciated the resources, but I felt disconnected from campus culture. In hindsight, I'd have engaged more, but I also believe that university should facilitate more digital resources and support for those who, for whatever reason, can't always attend in person.

Opinion UPC (FNB)

As a student of the UPC, it must be said that at the level of studies and teaching staff, both the one I have had as well as friends and acquaintances, is excellent. However, as far as facilities are concerned, it leaves much to be desired, and given the university's debt, small (and historical) faculties, such as the nautical one, are negatively affected by each management.

Good online option

I started the UOC because I was very interested in Law, however I was already doing a career in a university in person. This undoubtedly, and after two years in it, it is no longer a problem. The UOC gives you the possibility to manage your time to your liking, the material is good (although it could be better and keep updating), and the jobs do not require a giant effort (it depends a lot on the subject). I definitely recommend it if you want to learn at your own pace.

Valuable Experience with Room for Improvement

Harbour Space was an overall enriching and positive experience. The majority of the instructors were exceptional, providing invaluable knowledge and insights that significantly enhanced my learning journey. While the program delivered on many fronts, there were some areas where it fell short. Specifically, the promise of investors backing our ideas was not fully realized, and the networking events, although present, lacked the depth and engagement needed to forge meaningful connections. Despite these shortcomings, the education and experience gained were highly valuable.

The attitude and the atmosphere

The classes are so intresting I love how they they teach you about psychology and business strategy, I really like how the teachers are real professionals in terms of marketing , buisness... overall I really enjoy it.

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