École Polytechnique Paris vs Sciences Po vs Université de Poitiers vs Excelia Business School vs ESSCA School of Management

Side-by-side comparison from 194 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Forward College (4.90)
École Polytechnique Paris: wins 1/7 categories
Sciences Po: wins 0/7 categories
Université de Poitiers: wins 0/7 categories
Excelia Business School: wins 0/7 categories
ESSCA School of Management: wins 0/7 categories
Forward College: wins 6/7 categories
ISAE-ENSMA: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Mathematics and Computer Science
Paris, France
4.10
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47 reviews
×
Best programme: Political Science
Best programme: Business and Marketing
La Rochelle, France
4.10
Read more reviews
61 reviews
×
Best programme: Master of Science (MSc)
Best programme: Programme Grande Ecole (PGE)
Paris, France
4.90
Top
Read more reviews
16 reviews
×
Best programme: Politics and International Relations
Poitiers, France
4.40
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5 reviews
×
Best programme: Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace
Category ratings
Facilities
3.59
3.86
3.87
3.97
3.81
4.47
Win
4.40
Location
3.06
4.43
3.67
4.27
4.17
5.00
Win
1.80
Professors
4.24
4.28
4.00
3.93
3.94
5.00
Win
4.00
Internationality
4.29
4.69
4.07
4.30
3.88
4.75
Win
2.80
Student life
4.06
4.24
4.14
4.25
4.13
4.73
Win
4.60
Value
4.29
4.40
3.67
3.93
3.75
4.63
Win
4.00
Accommodation
4.35
Win
3.20
3.80
3.59
3.41
4.33
4.20
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Strong academic programs and international career/further study opportunities.
  • +Supportive and international student community with a family-like atmosphere.
  • +High-quality professors and engaging learning experiences despite demanding workloads.
  • +Interdisciplinary curriculum with practical applications
  • +Networking opportunities and vibrant student life
  • +Prestigious institution with accomplished faculty
  • +Approachable, invested, and knowledgeable faculty
  • +Stimulating and supportive academic environment
  • +Clean, comfortable, and well-maintained facilities
  • +Diverse, multicultural environment and global opportunities
  • +High-quality teaching and practical, well-structured curriculum
  • +Strong alumni network and enriching student experience
  • +Strong academic programs with international focus and practical experience.
  • +Approachable and supportive teachers fostering a positive learning environment.
  • +Vibrant campus life and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • +Engaging learning environment with interactive methods
  • +Diverse and international student community
  • +Unique multi-city European study experience
  • +Strong aerospace focus with practical application.
  • +Vibrant student life and numerous associations.
  • +Good balance of theory and practice.
Cons
  • -Administrative and communication issues hinder problem-solving.
  • -Lack of social integration, particularly for non-French speakers.
  • -Administrative and management issues.
  • -Outdated facilities and academic methods.
  • -Poor teaching quality and lack of preparation.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and lack of resources impede learning.
  • -Poor communication and lack of support from staff are common complaints.
  • -Superficial course content and lack of practical value were disappointing.
  • -The program's focus did not align with student expectations or career goals.
  • -High tuition costs were not justified by the perceived quality of education and career support.
  • -Ineffective and unprepared professors with poor language skills.
  • -Poor organization and irrelevant, expensive courses.
  • -Lack of student engagement and focus on partying.
  • -Administrative & management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a concern.
  • -Lack of transparency and communication is prevalent.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources hinder learning.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support is a problem.
Rating summary
What students say

A closer look at the university's performance reveals strong areas in Accommodation, Internationality, and Value, all receiving scores above 4.29. Professors also scored highly at 4.24. Conversely, Location stands out as the weakest category, with a score of 3.06. Facilities received a moderate rating of 3.59, while Student Life sits comfortably in the middle at 4.06.

Internationality and location stand out as the university's strongest attributes, receiving exceptional ratings. Conversely, accommodation presents the weakest area, scoring significantly lower than other categories. Professors, student life, and value are all rated positively, indicating a well-rounded experience, though facilities fall in the middle ground.

This institution shows a generally positive reception across its evaluated aspects. Student life stands out as a particular strength, achieving the highest rating. Conversely, location and value for money received the lowest scores among the surveyed categories. Facilities and accommodation are also well-regarded, with professors and internationality performing strongly.

Internationality, Location, and Student Life emerge as the university's strongest attributes, each scoring above 4.25. The university also received a solid rating for its facilities and professors. Conversely, accommodation presents the weakest area, with a score of 3.59. Overall, the university demonstrates a well-rounded profile with notable strengths in student experience and international appeal.

Evaluations reveal a university with particularly strong offerings in **location** and **student life**, both exceeding a 4.1 rating. Conversely, **accommodation** stands out as the weakest area, scoring significantly lower at 3.41. Other aspects like professors, facilities, internationality, and value fall within a solid mid-to-high range, generally between 3.75 and 3.94.

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.

This institution receives its highest accolades for student life and facilities, both scoring well above average. Conversely, the location emerges as a significant concern, with a considerably lower rating. Other areas like professors, accommodation, and value present a more moderate, positive picture, while internationality falls somewhere in the middle.

Reviews summary
Highlights

Most reviews are highly positive (~82%), praising strong academic programs, international opportunities, and a supportive student body. A small portion of feedback (~6%) notes issues with university organization, administration, and social life, particularly for non-French speakers.

Around 96% of reviews are positive, highlighting interdisciplinary education, strong academics, and vibrant student life. A small percentage (~4%) express concerns about teaching methods and academic staff preparation.

With an average rating of 4.13/5 from 16 reviews, approximately 100% of feedback is positive. Students frequently praise approachable and invested teachers, quality lessons, and a clean, comfortable study environment.

~95% of reviews are positive, highlighting multicultural environments, enriching experiences, and good quality teaching. A small portion of feedback (~5%) expresses disappointment with academic depth and practical value.

Approximately 74% of reviews are positive, highlighting enriching experiences, approachable teachers, and good knowledge transfer. A small percentage of negative feedback mentions unprepared professors and irrelevant courses.

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

Students praise extensive practical aerospace training and vibrant student life with numerous associations. The university's isolated location is a recurring concern, though positive feedback suggests it doesn't overshadow the strong sense of community.

Rating distribution
5★
59%
32%
19%
33%
34%
94%
40%
4★
24%
55%
75%
52%
41%
6%
60%
3★
12%
11%
6%
11%
19%
0%
0%
2★
6%
2%
0%
3%
3%
0%
0%
1★
0%
2%
0%
2%
3%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Academic, Professional, and Creative Growth

Academic Opportunities: Building Connections and Research Experience Studying both my Bachelor's and Master's at École Polytechnique has been an incredibly enriching experience, particularly in terms of academic development and networking. The school provides exceptional opportunities to connect with academic officers who offer valuable guidance on CV-building and career pathways. Additionally, the support from the economics department and faculty members has been instrumental in shaping my career aspirations. Currently, I am working as a research assistant, and I am about to embark on my fifth research experience. My journey so far has included both voluntary and contractual positions under the guidance of two professors. These experiences have spanned multiple disciplines, including economics, statistics, mathematics, and coding. The interdisciplinary nature of these projects has allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set and a deep appreciation for research. With aspirations to pursue a PhD, I find the academic environment at École Polytechnique highly supportive. The connections I have built with faculty members and researchers have been invaluable in shaping my future career path. The guidance and mentorship provided by the faculty have significantly contributed to my academic and professional growth. During my Bachelor's, tutoring sessions taught by engineering students were incredibly helpful in improving my understanding of difficult mathematics concepts. These sessions have often been a lifesaver, helping me grasp complex topics and ultimately succeed in exams. Communication Challenges and Professional Development I participate in English programs, but some projects in collaboration with the city of Paris involve French professionals and authorities. As a non-native French speaker with Chinese as my mother tongue, communication with professionals at École Polytechnique has sometimes been challenging, especially when some professors or professionals are more comfortable speaking French rather than English. However, through group projects, navigating complex team dynamics, and facing tough situations with professionals, I have developed essential communication skills. These experiences have allowed me to gradually build my professional toolbox, equipping me with the necessary skills to adapt and thrive in an international academic and professional environment. Extracurricular Engagement: Fostering Creativity and Community Beyond academics, École Polytechnique has been a vibrant space for my passion for the arts. The school's strong support for extracurricular activities has allowed me to work alongside like-minded, art-loving peers and receive guidance from faculty members who facilitate event organization and club development. During my Bachelor's, I established the Art Committee, and in my Master's, I co-founded MX-ARTS, an art and performing arts club. Through these initiatives, we organized showcases, art exhibitions, and talent shows, gradually expanding our network to collaborate with 12 different clubs across Bachelor's, Master's, and Engineering programs. Career Support: Training and Professional Opportunities École Polytechnique provides comprehensive career training and consulting services to prepare students for professional success. The school's company forums and networking events serve as excellent platforms for students to connect with industry professionals and secure internships. Many of my classmates have successfully leveraged these resources to find rewarding internship opportunities in top firms and research institutions. Conclusion: A Transformative Experience Overall, my time at École Polytechnique has been transformative, offering a perfect balance between academic rigor, research exposure, creative expression, and career development. The institution's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, mentorship, and extracurricular engagement has played a pivotal role in shaping my personal and professional journey. As I continue toward a PhD, I am grateful for the incredible support system and the opportunities that this institution has provided.

Exchange experience

I'm an exchange student in the Reims campus in the academic year of 2023-2024. I think this campus is good for an exchange experience because there are a lot of exchange students and even the french people who come to the grad school don't live in Reims, so basically everyone on the campus is new to the city and wants to form a bond. In terms of academic experience, I think Sciences Po system is really controlling. Their attendance policy is really strict and all the classes have an assignment for the week, either a presentation or an evaluation, which makes the semester exhausting since the beginning. Also, I didn't like the fact that in some classes there are only presentations made by students and no later explanation by the professor. I don't like this method because I think the students only focus on preparing their presentation and we don't really pay attention to the presentation of the other classmates as much as we would pay as if the professor was presenting. To summarize, I still love some of my classes, but I had higher expectations about Sciences Po's method, since it's the best political sciences university in Europe, which made me a little disappointed.

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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.

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.

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