Johan Cruyff Institute vs University of Amsterdam - UvA vs Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam vs Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences vs Duisenberg School of Finance

Side-by-side comparison from 321 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: ONCAMPUS Global (4.80)
Johan Cruyff Institute: wins 0/7 categories
University of Amsterdam - UvA: wins 0/7 categories
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam: wins 0/7 categories
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/7 categories
Duisenberg School of Finance: wins 0/7 categories
ONCAMPUS Global: wins 4/7 categories
Ironhack: wins 3/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Sport Management
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4.10
Read more reviews
179 reviews
×
Best programme: Communication Sciences
Best programme: B.Sc. in Psychology
Best programme: Computer Science
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Not rated
Read more reviews
0 reviews
×
London, The United Kingdom
4.80
Top
Read more reviews
21 reviews
×
Best programme: Undergraduate Foundation Programme
Barcelona, Spain
3.00
Read more reviews
2 reviews
×
Best programme: UX/UI Design (User Experience / User Interface Design)
Category ratings
Facilities
4.57
4.30
4.08
4.30
Not rated
4.44
5.00
Win
Location
4.17
4.62
4.30
4.31
Not rated
4.75
5.00
Win
Professors
4.56
4.11
4.30
4.09
Not rated
4.76
Win
3.00
Internationality
4.56
4.49
4.45
3.85
Not rated
4.62
Win
3.00
Student life
4.35
4.08
4.19
4.12
Not rated
4.58
5.00
Win
Value
4.52
4.08
4.21
4.18
Not rated
4.52
Win
3.00
Accommodation
4.26
2.99
3.17
3.97
Not rated
4.35
Win
4.00
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Specialized sports management content and expert professors
  • +Valuable industry connections and networking opportunities
  • +Welcoming atmosphere and excellent staff support
  • +Approachable and supportive professors
  • +Well-designed, up-to-date curriculum and academic programs
  • +Good student support and facilities
  • +Engaging academic programs and knowledgeable, supportive faculty
  • +Diverse and international campus environment with ample extracurricular opportunities
  • +Balance of theory and practical application in studies
  • +Engaging learning with practical, real-world application
  • +Supportive, diverse, and international community
  • +Vibrant campus life and modern facilities

Nothing to show

  • +Supportive and approachable teachers
  • +Excellent student support services
  • +Convenient campus location and facilities
  • +Practical, hands-on learning with immediate application
  • +Experienced, professional instructors with industry expertise
  • +Engaging hybrid learning format
Cons
  • -Poor quality of instruction and unengaging student discussions.
  • -Ineffective project management and lack of professional experience among peers.
  • -Lack of student support and care.
  • -Poor program value and teaching effectiveness.
  • -Administrative and communication issues.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment hinder learning and comfort.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support from staff is prevalent.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause confusion and frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and insufficient resources hinder learning.
  • -Lack of clear communication and student support is a recurring problem.

Nothing to show

  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are prevalent.
  • -Inefficient administrative processes and lack of clear communication are frustrating.
  • -Limited resources and support for academic needs are a concern.
  • -Administrative and management issues.
  • -Perceived lack of value for money.
Rating summary
What students say

Across several key areas, the institution receives commendable ratings. Its strongest performances are noted in Value and Internationality, both achieving near-perfect scores. Professors also garnered exceptionally high marks. The weakest area is Location, which, while still positive, is rated lower than other aspects. Student Life, Accomodation, and Facilities all fall within a strong middle range.

A mixed performance is evident across the surveyed categories. The university excels in **Location** (4.59) and **Internationality** (4.49), with **Facilities** (4.27) also receiving high marks. **Professors** (4.11) and **Student Life** (4.07) are rated favorably, as is **Value** (4.07). However, **Accomodation** stands out as a significantly weaker area, scoring considerably lower than other aspects.

Offering a well-rounded experience, this institution excels in **Internationality**, boasting a score of 4.45, closely followed by **Professors** at 4.30 and **Location** at 4.30. **Student Life** and **Value** also received positive marks. The primary area for improvement lies in **Accomodation**, which received the lowest rating.

The university excels in its **Facilities** and **Location**, both scoring above 4.3. **Student Life** and **Value** also received positive marks, indicating a well-rounded experience. While the **Professors** and **Accomodation** are rated favorably, **Internationality** presents the weakest area, suggesting opportunities for growth in global engagement.

Nothing to show

This institution garners strong approval across multiple aspects, with particularly high marks for its **Professors (4.76)** and **Location (4.75)**. Student life and internationality also score well, above 4.5. **Accommodations (4.35)** received the lowest rating, though still generally positive, while facilities and value demonstrate solid, above-average performance.

With exceptional marks in Facilities and Location, this institution clearly excels in its physical environment and accessibility. Student Life also receives top scores, suggesting a vibrant campus experience. Conversely, the university's weakest areas lie in its Professors and Internationality, both rated a moderate three. Value also sits at this mid-tier rating, indicating areas for potential improvement.

Reviews summary
Highlights

University students largely praise the insightful sports management content, quality professors, and valuable networking opportunities, with a ~96% positive sentiment. A small fraction of feedback (~4%) mentions issues with academic support variability or program depth.

~96% of 179 reviews are positive, highlighting good quality education, approachable professors, and improving courses. A small fraction of feedback mentions issues with program value and student support.

With a 4.3/5 average rating from 57 reviews, ~91% of feedback is positive. Students highlight the multicultural environment, engaging academic programs, and valuable campus resources like the library and modern facilities. No negative reviews were provided.

University reviews highlight positive learning experiences and a supportive community, with ~100% of feedback being positive. Students appreciated the modern, hands-on approach, real-world connections, and diverse, interesting peers.

Nothing to show

All 21 reviews are positive, averaging 4.76/5 stars. Students frequently praised helpful teachers, strong academic support, and good facilities. Some also highlighted a positive transition experience and newfound confidence.

With an average rating of 3/5, feedback is evenly split, with ~50% positive and ~50% negative. Positive comments highlight practical, hands-on learning and professional instructors. Negative reviews express dissatisfaction with program value and staff.

Rating distribution
5★
79%
30%
40%
12%
0%
76%
50%
4★
14%
56%
49%
76%
0%
24%
0%
3★
4%
10%
11%
12%
0%
0%
0%
2★
0%
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
4%
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
50%
Most useful review
Most liked
A life-changing experience in Sports Industry

A perfect synergy between theoretical knowledge, practical application, and high-quality networking. After completing the Master in Sport Management at Johan Cruyff Institute, I took a major step forward in my career in the sports industry. What truly sets this institution apart is the closeness and support of the professors and staff, as well as the enriching experiences shared with fellow students. Without a doubt, it has been one of the most transformative decisions of my life.

Pretty good but competitive

The costs for EU students are ok. Housing is still crazy and you are lucky if you get assistance with that, but when you do, it's very good for the money. The classes are a bit big but we manage. I feel the curriculum is complete and up to date and theres nothing missing from my education

:)

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.

Amsterdam Fashion Institute - for dedicated students only

I attended the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, which is a part of the University of Applied Sciences. I was following the Fashion Design programme, which is the hardest programme of the institute. It took me some time to get used to the heavy workload and the particularly high expectations of the teachers in terms of innovation and the quality of the delivered asignments. The teachers are dedicated to help the students do the best work they can, but only if they see that the students have the same dedication. In terms of facilities, the university is quite well equipped. There is a printing lab, a knitting room and a sewing room. In one of the other buildings of the university there is a lab with laser cutturs and 3D printers which is free to use for the students of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute. Overall, I would recomment the course to my friends, but I would prepare them for the fact that it is not going to be an easy journey, and that most probably they are not going to have time to have a part-time job next to their studies.

Nothing to show

Nothing to show

Government-Funded "School" - You pay you regret

Here's the corrected version: I graduated from the remote full-stack web development bootcamp in April 2025, and I feel very stupid because I paid these people while others studied for free. On top of that (or probably for that reason), Ironhack staff is arrogant and inexperienced. Take a look at the images I uploaded on Google for IronHack Madrid. The first is of the Program Manager (some sort of head of the online courses), and the second image shows a "teacher" assistant mocking me by telling me to use my fingers to type. What you should also know is that almost nobody pays for their courses directly—instead, the governments of Germany, France, Netherlands, etc. pay for people who are unemployed, along with other forms of financing. For that reason, the quality is very low because students behave as if they have received a gift or favor (so they leave good reviews), and the "school" acts accordingly. For example, the materials are completely outdated, and they don't want to help students—they tell students to ask questions through an app called Slack. While students are struggling to understand and have to write their questions, teachers and management are having "meetings" or maybe playing video games ... feeding their cats ... who knows? What I know is that they don't like to help.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our Privacy Policy for more details.
Close