Aalto University vs South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences - XAMK vs Arcada University of Applied Sciences - UAS vs Centria University of Applied Sciences vs Häme University of Applied Sciences - HAMK

Side-by-side comparison from 86 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)
Aalto University: wins 1/7 categories
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences - XAMK: wins 2/7 categories
Arcada University of Applied Sciences - UAS: wins 1/7 categories
Centria University of Applied Sciences: wins 2/7 categories
Häme University of Applied Sciences - HAMK: wins 0/7 categories
Metropolia Business School: wins 0/7 categories
VAMK University of Applied Sciences: wins 1/7 categories
Comparing
Espoo, Finland
4.50
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44 reviews
×
Best programme: Computer Engineering
Best programme: BHC in Nursing
Best programme: Finance
Best programme: BA Business and Marketing
Best programme: Mechanical Engineering
Arabia, Karamalmi, Myllypuro, and Myyrmäki, Finland
Not rated
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0 reviews
×
Best programme: Energy Engineering
Category ratings
Facilities
4.54
4.81
Win
4.67
4.50
4.14
Not rated
4.00
Location
4.33
4.56
Win
4.33
4.50
3.71
Not rated
2.00
Professors
4.21
4.93
5.00
Win
4.00
4.38
Not rated
4.00
Internationality
4.43
4.74
4.33
4.00
4.13
Not rated
5.00
Win
Student life
4.55
Win
4.50
4.33
4.50
3.86
Not rated
3.00
Value
4.40
4.78
4.67
5.00
Win
4.50
Not rated
4.00
Accommodation
4.40
4.46
4.00
5.00
Win
4.43
Not rated
4.00
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +High academic quality and supportive professors.
  • +Academic freedom and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
  • +Diverse and international community.
  • +Dedicated, supportive, and passionate faculty
  • +Well-organized, modern campus and facilities
  • +Strong industry connections and practical, future-focused education
  • +Practical, relevant learning and real-world projects
  • +Supportive and knowledgeable staff
  • +Modern facilities and updated resources
  • +Approachable and experienced faculty
  • +Practical and flexible learning opportunities
  • +Supportive environment with good facilities
  • +Practical, real-world learning and hands-on experience.
  • +Supportive and knowledgeable faculty and staff.
  • +Engaging campus life and strong community.

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  • +Industry connection and practical experience
  • +Relevant, real-world focused curriculum
Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues are a significant source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of necessary resources are frequently mentioned.
  • -The curriculum and teaching methods are often perceived as ineffective or irrelevant.
  • -Excessive administrative burdens and disorganized management plague student experiences.
  • -Outdated and poorly maintained facilities create a frustrating learning environment.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support from staff leads to student dissatisfaction.
  • -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 cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources hinder learning.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support is common.
  • -Administrative and management issues create significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are prevalent.
  • -Lack of essential resources and support hinders learning.

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  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources are a persistent problem.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support is a recurring complaint.
Rating summary
What students say

With a well-rounded set of scores, this institution particularly excels in Student Life and Facilities, both receiving ratings above 4.5. Location and Internationality also show considerable strengths, scoring over 4.3. The academic aspect, represented by Professors, is the lowest rated category, though still a solid 4.21. Accomodation and Value are rated identically, indicating a consistent experience in these areas.

This institution garners exceptional scores, with Professors receiving the highest marks at 4.92 and Facilities a very close second at 4.8. Student Life and Location also scored highly, both above 4.5. The weakest area, though still strong, is Accomodation with a rating of 4.44. Internationality and Value are tied for the second-highest scores.

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.

With outstanding marks in Accommodation and Value, this institution clearly excels in those key areas. Facilities, Location, and Student Life also received excellent scores, indicating a well-rounded positive experience. Professors and Internationality earned solid, though slightly lower, ratings, suggesting room for minor improvement in these specific aspects. Overall, the feedback points to a highly desirable university.

Across various aspects of the university experience, the institution receives a generally positive reception. Accommodation stands out as a particularly strong area, achieving the highest rating. Conversely, location received the lowest score among the surveyed categories. Other aspects like professors and value also garnered high marks, while facilities, student life, and internationality show solid but not top-tier performance.

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This institution demonstrates notable strengths in its **internationality**, achieving a perfect score, and its **facilities**, **professors**, and **accommodation**, all receiving high marks. Conversely, the **location** stands out as its weakest area, indicated by a lower rating. Student life and overall value are rated respectably in the middle tier.

Reviews summary
Highlights

University reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with ~91% rating it highly. Students praise its excellent teaching, diverse community, and academic freedom to explore various subjects. No negative feedback was recorded.

With a 4.89/5 average rating from 27 reviews, ~100% of feedback is positive. Students highlight great professors, international focus, and excellent organization. Positive themes include modern facilities and strong industry connections.

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.

With a 4.5/5 average rating from two reviews, feedback is overwhelmingly positive (~100%). Students highlight a cozy, small campus with approachable, practically experienced teachers and modular study options. The university offers a broad international network and practical learning through teamwork.

Nearly all students (~88%) praise HAMK University's dynamic, supportive learning environment with emphasis on real-world application and hands-on guidance. Faculty are noted as approachable and invested in student success.

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This single review offers a positive perspective, highlighting strong industry connections and relevant, real-world focused coursework. The average rating is 4/5, with 100% of feedback being positive.

Rating distribution
5★
57%
89%
25%
50%
38%
0%
0%
4★
34%
11%
75%
50%
50%
0%
100%
3★
9%
0%
0%
0%
13%
0%
0%
2★
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
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.

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.

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.

Practical university to learn how to cope with real world's demands

The study modules are categorized sensibly and connected with each other. The lecturers speak english well, eager to explain to students what they know after many years of working on the field. The campus in Riihimäki is small but has enough equipment for studying and doing thesis work (as I am doing now).

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