University College Dublin - UCD vs University of Limerick - UL vs Waterford Institute of Technology - WIT vs EM Normandie - EM Normandie vs Dublin Business School - DBS

Side-by-side comparison from 180 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Dublin Business School - DBS (4.40)
University College Dublin - UCD: wins 3/7 categories
University of Limerick - UL: wins 2/7 categories
Waterford Institute of Technology - WIT: wins 0/7 categories
EM Normandie - EM Normandie: wins 0/7 categories
Dublin Business School - DBS: wins 2/7 categories
ICD Business School Dublin: wins 0/7 categories
Cork University Business School - CUBS: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Computer Science
Best programme: Accounting
Best programme: BA (Hons) Fashion Design
Best programme: MSc International Logistics and Port Management
Best programme: Business Management and Marketing
Not rated
Read more reviews
0 reviews
×
Category ratings
Facilities
4.31
Win
4.21
3.13
4.00
4.15
Not rated
Not rated
Location
3.99
4.01
3.53
3.57
4.51
Win
Not rated
Not rated
Professors
4.50
Win
4.28
3.78
4.00
4.43
Not rated
Not rated
Internationality
4.29
4.21
3.03
4.14
4.51
Win
Not rated
Not rated
Student life
4.28
Win
4.23
3.75
3.71
4.15
Not rated
Not rated
Value
4.22
4.32
Win
3.38
4.00
4.15
Not rated
Not rated
Accommodation
3.63
3.94
Win
3.38
3.50
3.74
Not rated
Not rated
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Engaging academics and expert faculty
  • +Vibrant international campus and social life
  • +Attractive environment and welcoming community
  • +Practical skills and career preparation
  • +Supportive and friendly academic staff and community
  • +Excellent facilities and resources
  • +Supportive and helpful tutors
  • +Valuable educational and practical knowledge
  • +Positive peer recommendations
  • +Connecting theory to practice through real-world cases.
  • +Diverse international environment and global opportunities.
  • +Relevant industry-focused courses and knowledgeable faculty.
  • +Central location and accessible campuses
  • +Supportive faculty and engaging learning environment
  • +Diverse student community and industry-relevant curriculum

Nothing to show

Nothing to show

Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues, particularly regarding international student support.
  • -Difficulty in forming social connections due to large student numbers and established social circles.
  • -Teaching styles that are perceived as monotonous and unengaging.
  • -Lack of career guidance and irrelevant research suggestions from faculty.
  • -Poor quality of education and facilities not worth the cost.
  • -Administrative and management issues, including timetable changes and unorganized lecturers.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor infrastructure like unreliable WiFi and non-functional printers.
  • -Lack of engagement with students not on the main campus and shifting academic requirements.
  • -Perceived as a money-making scheme with mediocre teaching.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a significant source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of resources negatively impact the learning experience.
  • -Ineffective teaching and a disconnect with instructors are recurring complaints.

Nothing to show

Nothing to show

Rating summary
What students say

Analyzing the university's performance reveals a profile with notable strengths and areas for improvement. Professors receive the highest marks, indicating a strong academic core. Facilities and student life also score well, suggesting a positive overall campus experience. Accommodation, however, stands out as the weakest area, receiving a considerably lower rating. Internationality and value are also rated positively, contributing to a generally favorable assessment.

Analysis of university ratings reveals a generally positive reception. The strongest area is **Value** (4.32), closely followed by **Professors** (4.28) and **Student Life** (4.23). **Accommodations** stand out as the weakest point, receiving the lowest rating at 3.94. Other categories like Facilities and Internationality also scored well above average.

This institution demonstrates a solid overall performance, with notable strengths in **Student Life** (3.75) and **Professors** (3.75). **Location** also receives a positive score (3.525). Conversely, areas requiring attention include **Internationality** (3.025) and **Facilities** (3.125), which received the lowest ratings among the surveyed categories. Accommodations and value are rated moderately.

This institution performs well across most aspects, with **Internationality** standing out as its strongest area. Facilities, Professors, and Value also receive high marks. Areas for potential improvement include **Location**, which scored the lowest, and Accomodation. Student life and the overall value proposition are rated solidly in the mid-to-high range.

This institution garners excellent scores in several key areas. Location and Internationality are particularly strong, both receiving a high rating of 4.51. Professors are also highly regarded, with a score of 4.43. Facilities, Student Life, and Value are all rated comparably at 4.15. The weakest area identified is Accomodation, which received the lowest score of 3.74.

Nothing to show

Nothing to show

Reviews summary
Highlights

Around 97% of reviews are positive, highlighting engaging academics, a vibrant international community, and a great campus environment. A small percentage noted difficulties with making friends or feeling marginalized as an international student.

With an average rating of 4.24/5, approximately 99% of reviews are positive, highlighting excellent facilities, practical skills, and a vibrant learning atmosphere. A single negative review mentioned concerns about career prospects and faculty motivation.

University reviews are generally positive (~75%), with students appreciating helpful tutors and relevant course content. A small portion (~25%) of feedback notes issues with timetable changes, disorganization, and poor facilities.

Most reviews (approximately 71%) highlight a positive learning atmosphere, inspiring professors, and valuable international experiences. A small amount of feedback (around 14%) suggests mediocrity and a focus on profit. The average rating is 3.86/5.

University reviews are overwhelmingly positive (~85%), with students praising the central location, engaging faculty, and practical, industry-relevant curriculum. A small amount of feedback (~0%) mentions limited outdoor space.

Nothing to show

Nothing to show

Rating distribution
5★
39%
28%
50%
43%
54%
0%
0%
4★
54%
71%
0%
29%
31%
0%
0%
3★
4%
0%
25%
14%
15%
0%
0%
2★
3%
0%
25%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
1%
0%
14%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Not for me

Large student population (~30k), difficult to make friends because of irregular lecture structure (at least in humanities dept.) and most Irish students having known others for some time—not to say they aren’t friendly or open to making new friends, just a bit harder to fit in. Professors know what they are talking about and want you to learn, however the overall teaching style at UCD (and most universities)—is composed of listening to someone talk for 45 minutes, taking notes, and then writing an essay worth over half your grade—can feel like pursuing an overwhelmingly exhausting and pointless daily routine. Because of it, I was put on antidepressants. Prepare to replace your identity with an eight-digit number. Unlikely that professors will recognize you due to large lectures, so if you are like me and need to connect with your teachers in order to be a more productive learner, avoid UCD. There are mixed opinions about this, but I personally think that the campus is ugly. Not only is it littered with awful 70s architecture, but they also keep building new things so it is constantly under construction, which is not the most pleasant sight to observe every day. Although, some of the newer buildings, like the science building (which is massive), are nice. The campus is about a one-hour bus ride from the city centre, located in a middle-of-nowhere suburban area of Dublin, so it feels somewhat dull and isolated. Dorm rooms/suites are fantastic except for the fact that most do not have ovens and the showers are as narrow as you are (but perhaps that is to be expected in a dorm). Otherwise, good balance between privacy and sociability, most students have their own rooms but share a common space. Although, rent and goods are expensive and keep getting worse. Student Union fails to fulfil its promises, holds non-competitive elections and prevents foreign students from running for positions, all while the school prides itself on its global diversity. It is a very diverse school, though, that much is true. People from all over the world come here to study, so you're bound to meet someone from a different culture/background. Absolutely dead on the weekends. There is a myriad of societies to join that are fun and free to be a part of, but it can be difficult to balance schoolwork and club activities. Relatively easy to change subjects, variety of modules and subjects to choose from (Archeology was my favourite). The food market every Thursday was the best part of being here. Kind of expensive, but totally worth it. Every year in February they celebrate the Chinese New Year with a small light festival, and it is... awesome. Good food, cool lantern setup near the lake, an art show, and they host amazing dance, singing, and musical performances. UCD is #1 for graduate employability in Ireland, so if you are a career-oriented student, this might be a good place for you. Lots of career options and help from the school. Dublin is truly an amazing city and Ireland is a beautiful country. I do not regret coming here at all and seeing the island, but University College Dublin was not a good fit for me, and if you are anything like me and these issues bother you, it probably would not be a good fit for you either.

University Life in Limerick

I am currently studying a Masters in International Entrepreneurship Management this programme develops entrepreneurial creativity, awareness and specialist knowledge to help establish, manage and grow innovative new ventures across a variety of industry settings, incorporating a range of in-company projects to give ‘real world’ experience. Participants explore their own entrepreneurial potential and prepare an investor-ready business plan. I have always wanted to start my own business and this programme equipped me with the tools and skills to do this. Throughout the programme, we were able to work with real-life businesses and consult for them on a regular basis. For example in a module called international business consulting we worked for one of the biggest PPE distributors in the EU. We developed a market entry strategy for the company Irema and outlined how they could advance into the US market. Furthermore, for the final year project, we had to work with a small enterprise and establish a two-year commercialisation plan for them. This was really great fun and gave a practical experience that you wouldn’t be able to get in any other programme.

Nothing to show

Nothing to show

DBS: An Environment For Success

Dublin Business School (DBS) is more than just a place of learning; it's a place where academic excellence meets comfort and global connections. Let me tell you, my time at DBS was a whirlwind of challenges and growth, and I loved every minute of it. The coursework was demanding, no doubt about it, but it was in those moments of pushing my limits that I found my true potential. What really blew me away was how DBS takes care of its students. They understand that finding a cozy place to stay is crucial for focusing on your studies. That's why they offer a range of accommodation options that cater to different preferences and needs. I didn't have to worry about the hassle of finding a place to live – DBS had me covered, and that made settling into student life a breeze. So, if you're looking for a place where hard work meets cozy living and where you can connect with folks from all walks of life, DBS is the way to go.

Nothing to show

Nothing to show

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