École Polytechnique Paris vs Sciences Po vs Université de Reims vs Clermont School of Business vs ESSCA School of Management

Side-by-side comparison from 148 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: European Communication School - ECS (5.00)
École Polytechnique Paris: wins 1/7 categories
Sciences Po: wins 0/7 categories
Université de Reims: wins 1/7 categories
Clermont School of Business: wins 5/7 categories
ESSCA School of Management: wins 0/7 categories
European Communication School - ECS: wins 0/7 categories
CESI: 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: Advertising
Clermont-Ferrand, France
4.80
Read more reviews
57 reviews
×
Best programme: Bachelor in International Management
Best programme: Programme Grande Ecole (PGE)
Best programme: Bachelor of Communication Studies
Aix en Provence, France
Not rated
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0 reviews
×
Category ratings
Facilities
3.59
3.86
3.50
4.37
Win
3.83
Not rated
Not rated
Location
3.06
4.43
4.50
Win
4.40
4.32
3.00
Not rated
Professors
4.24
4.28
4.00
4.51
Win
3.96
4.00
Not rated
Internationality
4.29
4.69
3.50
4.79
Win
3.88
4.00
Not rated
Student life
4.06
4.24
3.50
4.44
Win
4.22
3.00
Not rated
Value
4.29
4.40
4.00
4.44
Win
3.83
4.00
Not rated
Accommodation
4.35
Win
3.20
4.00
4.18
3.46
4.00
Not rated
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
  • +Professional and up-to-date programs
  • +User-friendly communication and processes
  • +Positive hostel experience despite room size
  • +Competent, experienced professors with real-world expertise
  • +Practical, industry-focused programs preparing for global business
  • +International learning environment and diverse student community
  • +High-quality education with specialization options and practical experience
  • +Vibrant campus life and strong community with supportive peers and professors
  • +Excellent career preparation through industry connections and internships
  • +Dedicated and present teachers
  • +Personalized support
  • +Enriching experience

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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, including poor communication and disorganization, are a significant source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources detract from the learning experience.
  • -Overcrowded classrooms and a lack of individual attention hinder effective learning.
  • -Lack of relevant skill development for job readiness.
  • -Perceived poor quality of speakers and teaching staff.
  • -Unprepared and unhelpful professors with poor English communication.
  • -Poor organization and irrelevant, expensive courses.
  • -Lack of student engagement and focus on partying.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a significant source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources hinder the learning experience.
  • -Communication and support from faculty and staff are often lacking.

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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 strong profile, particularly excelling in its **location** with a rating of 4.5. **Accommodations** and **professors** also receive solid marks. Areas with the most room for improvement include **facilities**, **student life**, and **internationality**, all rated at 3.5. Overall, the university offers good value and a well-rounded experience.

With stellar marks in several key areas, this university garners impressive ratings. Internationality stands out as its strongest attribute, alongside high scores for Professors and Student Life. While the overall performance is positive, Accomodation received the lowest, though still solid, score among the reviewed categories.

Among the evaluated aspects, the university excels in its **Location**, receiving a high rating of 4.32, and **Student Life**, with a score of 4.22. **Accomodation** stands out as the weakest area, scoring 3.46. Other categories like Facilities, Professors, Internationality, and Value are all rated favorably, generally falling between 3.8 and 3.96, indicating a well-rounded experience with room for improvement in housing.

This institution excels in several key areas, boasting strong ratings for Professors, Accommodation, Internationality, and Value. Student Life and Location are also considered solid. However, the Facilities category received a significantly lower score, indicating a primary area for potential improvement.

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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 a 4.5/5 average rating, 100% of feedback is positive. Reviews praise professional and up-to-date programs, and user-friendly communication. Some mention comfortable hostels with minor issues like small rooms and average food.

Nearly all reviews praise the stimulating, international environment, competent professors, and practical, career-focused programs. A very small minority found limited skill development or speaker quality.

Most reviews (~74%) praise the quality of education, practical experience, and vibrant campus life. A small percentage (8.3%) mention unprepared professors and organizational issues.

With a perfect 5/5 average rating, the single review highlights an incredible and enriching experience. The student praised the dedicated teachers and personalized support as significant assets. No negative feedback was reported.

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Rating distribution
5★
59%
32%
50%
75%
33%
100%
0%
4★
24%
55%
50%
23%
46%
0%
0%
3★
12%
11%
0%
4%
13%
0%
0%
2★
6%
2%
0%
2%
4%
0%
0%
1★
0%
2%
0%
0%
4%
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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Student Consultant

I had an amazing experience at ESC Clermont Business School. As a school founded in 1919, it has more than 100 years of history and a strong reputation for academic excellence. It perfectly combines tradition with modern teaching methods and innovative business education. The professors are knowledgeable, approachable, and always willing to support students both academically and professionally. The courses are practical, industry-focused, and designed to prepare students for today's global business environment, making the school competitive with many of the top business schools in France. One of the things I appreciated most was the location. Clermont-Ferrand is a beautiful, safe, and welcoming city that offers a great quality of life for students. The school truly values its international community, creating an inclusive environment where students from different cultures feel comfortable and supported from day one. What makes the experience even more special is the local community. The people in Clermont are friendly and welcoming, making it easy for international students to integrate, build friendships, and experience French culture beyond the classroom. I highly recommend ESC Clermont Business School to anyone looking for a high-quality business education, excellent faculty, a diverse international environment, and a supportive community. It is a place where you can grow academically, professionally, and personally.

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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