Maastricht University - UM vs Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam vs NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences vs Maastricht School of Management vs UMIO Maastricht University

Side-by-side comparison from 260 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Hotel Management School Maastricht - HMSM (5.00)
Maastricht University - UM: wins 0/7 categories
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam: wins 0/7 categories
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/7 categories
Maastricht School of Management: wins 0/7 categories
UMIO Maastricht University: wins 1/7 categories
Hotel Management School Maastricht - HMSM: wins 3/7 categories
United World College Maastricht: wins 3/7 categories
Comparing
Maastricht, The Netherlands
4.00
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55 reviews
×
Best programme: International and European Law
Best programme: B.Sc. in Psychology
Best programme: Creative Business
Maastricht, The Netherlands
Not rated
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0 reviews
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Maastricht, The Netherlands
3.00
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1 reviews
×
5.00
Top
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1 reviews
×
Best programme: Hospitality Management
Maastricht, The Netherlands
4.00
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1 reviews
×
Best programme: Global Sustainable Development and Economics
Category ratings
Facilities
4.35
4.06
4.46
Not rated
4.00
4.00
5.00
Win
Location
4.11
4.29
3.96
Not rated
4.00
5.00
Win
4.00
Professors
4.09
4.31
3.81
Not rated
5.00
Win
4.00
4.00
Internationality
4.34
4.46
4.47
Not rated
4.00
4.00
5.00
Win
Student life
4.13
4.19
4.10
Not rated
3.00
5.00
Win
4.00
Value
4.26
4.21
3.98
Not rated
4.00
5.00
Win
4.00
Accommodation
3.13
3.15
3.75
Not rated
3.00
4.00
5.00
Win
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Engaging Problem-Based Learning approach
  • +Supportive and international community
  • +Approachable and experienced professors
  • +Engaging academics and strong program content
  • +Vibrant international and multicultural community
  • +Opportunities for practical application and personal growth
  • +Practical, project-based learning and real-world application
  • +Welcoming atmosphere and supportive community
  • +Opportunities for personal and professional growth

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  • +Comprehensive education and extensive extracurricular opportunities
  • +Strong industry connections and career preparation
  • +Supportive learning environment and academic rigor
  • +Engaging IB program with global cultural exposure
  • +Development of skills and adventurous character
  • +Rigorous program as a gateway to top universities
Cons
  • -Exploitative professors and lack of support for student interests.
  • -Disappointing and overly demanding problem-based learning (PBL) method.
  • -High pressure, high failing rates, and severe consequences for academic performance.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause constant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and lack of resources impede learning.
  • -Poor communication and lack of support are significant drawbacks.
  • -Lack of organization and poor management pervade all aspects of the institution.
  • -Ineffective communication and a general lack of teacher availability and feedback leave students unsupported.
  • -Unclear assignments and inconsistent assessment practices create confusion and frustration.

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  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of resources are significant problems.
  • -Communication and transparency are frequently lacking.
  • -Overpriced tuition and hidden fees are a significant concern.
  • -Poor communication and lack of support from staff and administration are frequently mentioned.
  • -Outdated facilities and insufficient resources hinder the learning experience.
Rating summary
What students say

This university garners particularly strong feedback for its **Facilities** and **Internationality**, both receiving scores above 4.3. **Value** and **Student Life** also perform well, with ratings exceeding 4.1. Conversely, **Accomodation** stands out as the weakest area, with a considerably lower score of 3.13. **Professors** and **Location** also received solid, above-average ratings.

This institution demonstrates considerable strengths in several key areas, notably Internationality, which earned a high score. Professors and Location also received very positive feedback. The university's performance in Student Life and Value is also solid. However, Accomodation stands out as a weaker area, with a significantly lower rating compared to other aspects. Facilities also received a moderate rating.

Exceptional ratings were awarded to the university's **Facilities** (4.43) and **Internationality** (4.47). **Student Life** also scored well at 4.08 and **Value** at 3.98. The area requiring the most attention appears to be **Accomodation**, which received the lowest rating at 3.65, with **Professors** also scoring moderately lower than other categories at 3.81.

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This university garners an excellent overall rating, with particular strengths in its **Location** and **Student Life**, both receiving a perfect score of 5. **Value for money** also stands out at a 5. Areas receiving a solid score of 4 include **Facilities**, **Professors**, **Accommodation**, and **Internationality**. No categories fell below a 4, indicating a consistently strong offering.

This institution demonstrates exceptional strength in several key areas, boasting perfect scores for Facilities and Accomodation, alongside a flawless rating for Internationality. Student Life, Professors, and Location are all highly regarded with scores of 4. The sole area receiving a slightly lower, though still positive, rating is Value at 4, indicating a strong overall offering.

Reviews summary
Highlights

Nearly 91% of reviews are positive, highlighting a strong international focus and Problem-Based Learning. Around 9% of feedback is negative, noting issues with organization and professor conduct.

With a ~100% positive sentiment and an average rating of 4.3/5, students praise the multicultural environment, strong academic programs with practical applications, and supportive faculty. They also highlight engaging extracurriculars and a positive campus experience.

Approximately 94% of reviews are positive, highlighting practical learning, ample opportunities, and a welcoming atmosphere. A small percentage of negative feedback cites disorganization and communication issues.

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With one review and an average rating of 5/5, this university receives overwhelmingly positive feedback. Students highlight amazing education and ample support, including prestigious extra-curricular masterclass programs.

This university receives a high average rating of 4/5. The single review highlights enjoyment of the IB program, international connections, skill development, and preparation for top universities. There is no negative feedback.

Rating distribution
5★
31%
41%
23%
0%
0%
100%
0%
4★
49%
48%
64%
0%
0%
0%
100%
3★
11%
11%
7%
0%
100%
0%
0%
2★
5%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
4%
0%
5%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Problem-Based Learning

One of the most advertised features of the university, it is very pressuring and does not deliver the promised results - everything still has to be learned in the same manner as everywhere else - but here no tutorials are to be missed and PBL is supposed to be a key to successful graduation. Doing twice the work, therefore dividing the attention and time resources, without other options for students struggling with this method - then you are on your own.

:)

As a computer science student at the Vrije Universitet in Amsterdam, I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of education and the level of expertise of the professors at this esteemed institution. The faculty members are passionate about their subjects and are always willing to provide guidance and support to students. The curriculum is rigorous, and the coursework is designed to challenge students and prepare them for the ever-evolving world of technology. The courses cover a broad range of topics, from programming languages and algorithms to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The faculty also encourages students to take part in research projects and internships, providing valuable opportunities to apply what we have learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. The campus facilities are excellent, with state-of-the-art labs and equipment available for students to use. The university's location in Amsterdam also offers plenty of opportunities for students to engage in cultural and recreational activities outside of their studies. One of the things that stand out to me is the diverse student body. Being exposed to different perspectives and backgrounds has enriched my learning experience and expanded my understanding of computer science as a field. Overall, I would highly recommend the Vrije Universitet to any computer science student looking for a challenging and rewarding academic experience, excellent faculty, and a diverse and inclusive community.

Creative Business

Studying Creative Business at NHL Stenden has been a great experience with a few bumps down the road. Generally speaking, I'm very glad about my choice to study here - as an international student I am surrounded by other internationals which makes me feel more welcome and comfortable; this university has provided me with numerous extracurricular opportunities, which were not only great for networking and finding like-minded connections, but also getting extremely nice and useful experience, whether it's working on a real set with professional production equipment or creating content and representing my course on social media! When it comes to the study itself, it usually is pretty confusing, as students are usually just thrown into practical projects without initial preparation and sometimes not enough guidance. However, once you get used to design-based education, you realize how exciting the assignments actually are - working with real clients, producing your own ideas and seeing them come to life, and just "creativity, creativity, creativity" everywhere. I recommend this university for those who are not afraid of teamwork, thinking outside of the box, and being independent.

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