United International Business Schools - UIBS vs Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - ETH Zurich vs University of Zurich - UZH vs SMC Business School vs Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland - HTMi

Side-by-side comparison from 101 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern (4.80)
United International Business Schools - UIBS: wins 0/7 categories
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - ETH Zurich: wins 0/7 categories
University of Zurich - UZH: wins 0/7 categories
SMC Business School: wins 0/7 categories
Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland - HTMi: wins 2/7 categories
International Academy of Sport Management and Technology - AISTS: wins 2/7 categories
SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern: wins 3/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Accounting and Management Information Systems
Best programme: Computer and Information Science
Zürich, Switzerland
4.10
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34 reviews
×
Best programme: Accounting
Zürich, Switzerland
Not rated
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0 reviews
×
Best programme: Bachelor of Tourism Management
Best programme: Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management and Technology
Best programme: Hospitality Management
Category ratings
Facilities
4.00
4.28
4.27
Not rated
4.00
4.58
Win
4.25
Location
4.75
4.25
4.29
Not rated
4.50
4.92
5.00
Win
Professors
4.75
3.76
4.18
Not rated
5.00
Win
4.58
4.60
Internationality
4.50
4.26
4.21
Not rated
4.67
4.83
Win
3.80
Student life
4.25
4.20
3.91
Not rated
4.00
4.17
5.00
Win
Value
4.50
4.54
4.24
Not rated
3.67
4.50
5.00
Win
Accommodation
4.00
3.05
4.12
Not rated
4.33
Win
3.44
4.20
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Supportive and helpful faculty
  • +Positive and enriching learning experience
  • +Safe and well-equipped campus
  • +High-quality education and demanding curriculum
  • +Excellent digitalization and accessible learning platforms
  • +Vibrant campus life and strong student support systems
  • +Welcoming and inclusive environment for all students
  • +Supportive and dedicated professors
  • +Effective and enjoyable learning facilities and resources

Nothing to show

  • +Dual degrees and career foundation
  • +Reputable programs with practical experience
  • +Internship opportunities and networking
  • +Comprehensive sports industry immersion
  • +Networking and real-world connections
  • +Diverse and international cohort
  • +Practical, hands-on learning and real-world application
  • +Strong networking opportunities and an international community
  • +Supportive, open, and social school environment
Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues cause frequent problems.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment hinder learning.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support frustrates students.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources are a common complaint.
  • -A perceived lack of student support and engagement is a recurring negative.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance are major concerns.
  • -Lack of administrative support and unclear communication cause frustration.
  • -Course content is often irrelevant or not up-to-date with industry standards.

Nothing to show

  • -Chaotic and inconsistent schedules disrupt learning.
  • -Outdated and poorly maintained facilities are a recurring problem.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources are a recurring problem.
  • -Lack of support and engagement from staff is disappointing.
  • -Overcrowded classes and lack of personalized attention from instructors.
  • -Inefficient and unresponsive administrative support and management.
  • -Outdated facilities and insufficient access to necessary resources.
Rating summary
What students say

Academic and environmental aspects of the university are highly regarded, with professors and location both receiving a near-perfect score of 4.75. Student life is also a positive, scoring 4.25, and internationality and value are strong at 4.5. Facilities and accommodation present the weakest areas, both rated at 4.

Assessing this university reveals a generally positive student experience. Value for money is outstanding, scoring highest, closely followed by internationality and facilities. Student life and location also receive strong endorsements. However, accommodation presents the weakest area, with a notably lower rating. Professors' ratings are respectable but fall below the other strong categories.

This institution receives strong marks across most surveyed areas. Location and Facilities stand out with the highest ratings, indicating these are particular strengths. Student Life is the lowest-rated aspect, suggesting room for improvement in this domain. Other key areas like Professors, Accomodation, Internationality, and Value are all rated positively, reflecting a generally well-regarded university experience.

Nothing to show

This institution demonstrates notable strengths in its academic offerings and global reach. Professors received a perfect score of 5, and its internationality is highly rated at 4.67. The university also scores well in location (4.5) and accommodation (4.33). Facilities and student life both earned a solid 4. Conversely, the value proposition is the weakest area, with a rating of 3.67.

This university demonstrates exceptional strengths in its location and internationality, receiving the highest marks in these areas. Facilities and professors also scored very well, indicating a high standard of academic and physical resources. Student life is rated positively, though not as high as the top-performing categories. The weakest area appears to be accommodation, which received the lowest score, suggesting room for improvement in student housing offerings. Overall value is rated favorably.

Exceptional marks were awarded in several key areas, with Location, Student Life, and Value all receiving perfect scores. Professors also earned a very high rating. The university's weakest area, however, is Internationality, which received a considerably lower score than other aspects. Facilities and Accomodation are rated well, indicating a generally positive student experience.

Reviews summary
Highlights

With an average rating of 4.5/5, ~75% of reviews are positive, highlighting a supportive learning environment and helpful, passionate faculty. One review mentioned slow administrative services.

With an average rating of 4.3/5 from 43 reviews, nearly all ~93% are positive. Students highlight an impressive academic environment, high teaching quality, and good digitalization. Some mention demanding workloads and variable organization.

All 34 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.09/5. Students highlight welcoming environments, enjoyable student life, and effective facilities. Professors are often described as helpful and committed.

Nothing to show

University reviews are mixed, with ~67% positive and ~33% negative. Positive feedback highlights career foundation, dual degrees, and practical experience. Some negative comments mention scheduling issues.

Overwhelmingly positive feedback (average 4.67/5) highlights program organization, networking opportunities, and comprehensive coverage of the sports industry. Some mention high living costs in Lausanne.

With an average rating of 4.8/5 from 5 reviews, students praise the practical, hands-on learning and dynamic environment. Positive themes include skill development for future careers and life, and a welcoming, international community. No negative feedback was recorded.

Rating distribution
5★
75%
40%
9%
0%
33%
75%
80%
4★
0%
51%
91%
0%
33%
17%
20%
3★
25%
9%
0%
0%
0%
8%
0%
2★
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
0%
0%
0%
33%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked

Nothing to show

Geting a very deep understanding of the material.

Pro: Very good education. Con: Very high workload. We get tought more details and theory behind the concepts we learn than at other universities. However, this also shows in a higher workload. Nevertheless, it is very interesting. For student life, there are lots of great student associations, there is really something for everyone and plenty of events to attend or associations to join.

Known for outstanding education

Known for outstanding education, the university offers rigorous academic programs and innovative teaching methods. The campus features modern architecture and a vibrant community atmosphere that stimulates intellectual curiosity. Professors are committed to student success and provide mentorship, while state-of-the-art amenities support academic research and collaboration. Comfortable on-campus accommodation enhances the student experience.

Nothing to show

Unfortunately I was scammed…

Usually I trust reviews and they have never let me down, until 2023, when I chose to continue the bsc culinary course at this place. I wish someone told me this before my “study” there. First, I couldn’t get my proper classes schedule for 3 weeks. When the schedule finally came, it was chaotic, with daily kitchen duties overlapping with theoretical classes (By the way, I have No complaints about most of the theoretical classes, they were rare for culinary students but to the point and interesting - the only one plus). The kitchen duties were overwhelming, covering 24 days a month, and I almost never had the chance to attend a practical cooking class or even write down a single recipe, as all practical part was under MIT - people who working for HTMI as volunteers to get 1 year Swiss visa. These MIT used to talk with me very badly and always gave the task to clean or bring/peal for them vegetables, they directly told us that culinary students here to work, not enjoy their study. There was no culinary instructor for my course. And almost every event on Friday for students I had to be all day in the kitchen to cook for HTMI and after clean kitchen. I felt like I was working as a servant at the school, preparing meals and performing tasks for the kitchen MIT. The quality of the food was poor, sometimes even totally vegetarian days, and everything was prepared by the students, with the exception of desserts. Desserts were prepared with pastry students, but even pastry chef visits to the main kitchen were rare, and his desserts plating was outdated (like previous century, no one plate this way now in fine dining restaurants. Anyway, at least one teacher whom I sometimes even had to beg to attend his classes instead of “learning” how to clean kitchen and steam rice from MIT) They even taught us to plate dishes in a clock style 🤣) In the event planning class, we were expected to find our sponsors to organize an event as a part of the study, which forced us to seek support from local hotels and supermarkets, couldn’t really do it… They also forgot to give me my iPad in the beginning, when I asked, they say I’m trying to cheat them. I also had to pay my insurance twice. I was hoping on internship, but even that was below then Macdonalds level, i had to prepare sandwiches and salads for hotel staff, HTMI career center that time stoped replying my emails.. The experience was so depressing that I had to take antidepressants to cope with the stress. I strongly recommend that parents of prospective students look elsewhere in Switzerland and avoid these scams. I’m also attaching pictures from our “culinary classes” with MIT and accordingly the same food that was given to the students for 3500 franks per 12 weeks. Thank you for the attention 🙏🏼

Support and Growth

The 15 months at AISTS were truly enlightening. What sets this program apart is its exceptional support system, offering unparalleled professional guidance and prioritizing mental health and wellness.

SHL - where Learning and Life comes together

I really value SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern for its dynamic learning environment, where you truly learn by doing. The programme is built around hands-on experience, allowing you to grow through practice rather than just theory. The teachers are incredibly diverse - with strong and different but complementing personalities - which I find inspiring, and the same goes for the students — my (BSc) class includes people from all over the world, from Mexico to the Cayman Islands to South Africa. Both faculty and students are remarkably hospitable, inclusive, and genuinely welcoming, creating a strong sense of community. SHL also stands out for being innovative and constantly improving its programme to stay relevant and up to date. The school’s location and views are stunning, and the cuisine is exceptional — with a different concept each day, ranging from Scandinavian hygge to soul food to Abudala potatoes. There are always events happening, which makes campus life active and engaging. Since I am not originally from Switzerland and don’t even speak German, I really value how SHL and its network have been supportive in helping me integrate here. From guidance on internships to daily life advice, the community helps me feel at home. Because I’m not entirely sure what I want to do in the future, I especially appreciate that SHL opens many doors after my studies — whether in HR, culinary arts, restaurant management, accounting, or finance. The programme prepares you broadly and gives you the flexibility to explore different directions within the hospitality industry and beyond. Another thing I deeply appreciate is the internship system. The contracts provided by SHL give students a sense of security and ensure fair standards, making me feel supported and protected. At SHL, you learn everything — from cooking, cleaning, and serving to leadership, accounting, and beyond. This holistic education prepares you not only for a successful career in hospitality but also for life itself. Of course, the programme is challenging, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. It builds resilience, confidence, and real-world skills. The teachers are also empathetic and truly listen, offering guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Overall, SHL gives you the knowledge, experience, and mindset to enter the hospitality world fully prepared — and it does so in a warm, multicultural, and motivating environment.

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