IU International University of Applied Sciences vs Steinbeis University - Schools of Next Practices vs Touro University Berlin vs Ironhack vs Forward College

Side-by-side comparison from 154 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Forward College (4.90)
IU International University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/6 categories
Steinbeis University - Schools of Next Practices: wins 0/6 categories
Touro University Berlin: wins 1/6 categories
Ironhack: wins 2/6 categories
Forward College: wins 3/6 categories
University of Europe for Applied Sciences: wins 0/6 categories
Berlin International College: wins 0/6 categories
Comparing
Best programme: MBA
Best programme: Business
Best programme: Business Administration
Barcelona, Spain
3.00
Read more reviews
2 reviews
×
Best programme: UX/UI Design (User Experience / User Interface Design)
Paris, France
4.90
Top
Read more reviews
16 reviews
×
Best programme: Politics and International Relations
Best programme: Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Arts
Category ratings
Facilities
3.69
4.25
4.67
5.00
Win
4.47
3.00
Not rated
Location
3.87
3.75
4.86
5.00
5.00
3.60
Not rated
Professors
4.43
4.25
4.57
3.00
5.00
Win
3.20
Not rated
Internationality
4.44
4.50
4.86
Win
3.00
4.75
4.00
Not rated
Student life
3.62
3.75
4.57
5.00
Win
4.73
3.00
Not rated
Value
4.32
3.75
4.57
3.00
4.63
Win
2.80
Not rated
Accommodation
3.11
2.75
3.83
4.00
4.33
Win
1.40
Not rated
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Flexible online study for work-life balance
  • +Modern, intuitive digital platform for easy access
  • +Relevant, high-quality educational content
  • +Excellent program structure and well-prepared faculty
  • +Practical, industry-focused learning with interactive opportunities
  • +Flexible study options and a supportive, inclusive environment
  • +Small class sizes and accessible professors
  • +International environment and diverse student body
  • +Value and career-focused programs
  • +Practical, hands-on learning with immediate application
  • +Experienced, professional instructors with industry expertise
  • +Engaging hybrid learning format
  • +Engaging learning environment with interactive methods
  • +Diverse and international student community
  • +Unique multi-city European study experience
  • +Hands-on learning and practical application focus
  • +International and multicultural environment
  • +Personalized attention and smaller class sizes

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Cons
  • -Slow and unresponsive administrative processes, including grade processing and student support.
  • -Poor staff attitude and lack of accountability for errors in student records and applications.
  • -Inadequate support and guidance for online students.
  • -Administrative and management issues, including poor communication and lack of support.
  • -Limited professional development opportunities and weak industry connections.
  • -Perceived low quality of the learning experience relative to cost.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a frequent source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are significant drawbacks.
  • -Lack of resources and support negatively impacts the learning experience.
  • -Administrative and management issues.
  • -Perceived lack of value for money.
  • -Administrative & management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a concern.
  • -Lack of transparency and communication is prevalent.
  • -Administrative and management issues, including poor organization and miscommunication.
  • -Outdated teaching methods and inadequate facilities.
  • -Lack of academic integrity and student support.

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Rating summary
What students say

This institution garners notable praise in several key areas, with **Internationality** and **Professors** receiving particularly high scores. The **Value** proposition is also well-regarded. Conversely, **Accomodation** stands out as the lowest-rated aspect. Other aspects like Facilities, Location, and Student Life fall within a more moderate range of positive feedback.

This university receives its highest marks in Internationality, scoring a strong 4.5. Facilities and Professors are also highly rated at 4.25. Location and Student Life are solid performers, both receiving 3.75. However, Accomodation stands out as a weaker area with a score of 2.75. Overall, the university presents a mixed but generally positive picture, with particular strengths in its global reach and academic resources.

This institution garners strong approval, particularly in its Location and Internationality, both scoring an impressive 4.86. Professors and Student Life also receive high marks, averaging 4.57. While Facilities are well-regarded at 4.67 and Value is a solid 4.57, Accomodation stands out as the weakest area with a rating of 3.83.

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.

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 demonstrates notable strengths in **internationality**, receiving a high rating of 4. Conversely, **accommodation** stands out as a significant area for improvement, with the lowest score of 1.4. Other aspects like location and professors show moderate performance.

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Reviews summary
Highlights

~95% of reviews are positive, praising flexibility, modern platforms, and accessible materials. A small percentage (~5%) mention issues with grading delays and slow administrative support.

Around 75% of reviews are positive, praising structured modules, quality teaching, and a good learning environment. The remaining 25% express concerns about cost, instructor quality, and limited professional opportunities.

All 7 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.57/5. Students highlight a strong international environment, small class sizes, and supportive faculty, contributing to a positive academic and cultural experience.

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.

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

Reviews indicate a 3/5 average rating, with ~60% positive feedback highlighting practical, hands-on learning and a multicultural environment. Negative feedback, ~40%, points to poor organization, miscommunication, and outdated teaching methods.

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Rating distribution
5★
63%
25%
57%
50%
94%
0%
0%
4★
27%
50%
43%
0%
6%
60%
0%
3★
6%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
2★
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
20%
0%
1★
3%
25%
0%
50%
0%
20%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
The best university in the world

My experience with IU is very wonderful and exceptional. The learning process is smooth and easy especially for online students and the exams are well tailored to test your knowledge on what you have been learning. It is quite great indeed.

Not worth the educational investment

As a professional learner and international student, I find it expensive with low quality of overall learning journey. The courses / subjects offer good insights but not all instructors / lecturers meet students learning needs. As compared to other universities, they don’t have alumni network, company partnerships or purposive professional activities for their students. It’s also difficult to navigate their study program because nobody responds timely (or worst you’ll be completely disregarded unless it’s about invoice or tuition payments) to inquiries or concerns in emails and all contact numbers in the emails are unreachable. It’s also common that wrong class schedules or no class schedules are communicated - making you miss classes unintentionally. With all the issues and concerns I’ve had from my admission to my thesis, I need to keep on chasing someone to be answered vaguely or be passed on somebody else. They have a systematic issue in managing student affairs and communications.

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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.

Disaster Programme

Throughout my Studies, in the Communication Design Course at this university located in Berlin, I have experienced a lot of problems. The university is very poorly organized, there is constant miscommunication between staff and students. It is very hard to come in contact with the university over email or phone, and most of the time your issue is never resolved. An excuse they often times use, is that they are understaffed, or it’s the students' fault. I think the campus in Berlin is kind of scam, because when applying or looking up this University the only photos you can see are from their facility located in Hamburg. Which is a much nicer facility than the one in Berlin. Definitely visit before signing any contracts. When I joined the university I expected at least one course to provide the necessary skills and information for this course. There was no introductory class for how to use Adobe software, no tutorial classes on any of the skills we needed during our studies. This is very much a do it yourself at home Programme. It is very hard to get help from the staff as they are often very misleading as no information is communicated to them. I have graduated 2 months ago and I still have no received a diploma.

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