University of Birmingham vs Aston University vs Arden University vs Birmingham City University vs Ulster University

Side-by-side comparison from 480 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: The University of Law Business School (5.00)
University of Birmingham: wins 0/7 categories
Aston University: wins 1/7 categories
Arden University: wins 0/7 categories
Birmingham City University: wins 1/7 categories
Ulster University: wins 0/7 categories
The University of Law Business School: wins 5/7 categories
University College Birmingham - UCB: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Birmingham, The United Kingdom
4.20
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177 reviews
×
Best programme: Law
Birmingham, The United Kingdom
4.30
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95 reviews
×
Best programme: Business Management
London, The United Kingdom
4.50
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28 reviews
×
Best programme: Business
Birmingham, The United Kingdom
4.40
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121 reviews
×
Best programme: Computer Science
Belfast, The United Kingdom
4.40
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38 reviews
×
Best programme: Business Administration in Management
Birmingham, The United Kingdom
5.00
Top
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5 reviews
×
Best programme: Accounting and Business Finance
Birmingham, The United Kingdom
4.40
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16 reviews
×
Best programme: Digital Marketing
Category ratings
Facilities
4.37
4.25
2.96
4.42
4.10
5.00
Win
4.44
Location
4.44
4.45
3.21
4.26
4.12
5.00
Win
4.50
Professors
4.16
4.28
4.29
4.30
4.37
4.60
Win
4.44
Internationality
4.28
4.33
4.39
4.26
4.12
4.80
Win
4.63
Student life
4.28
4.30
Win
3.16
4.20
3.97
4.00
3.81
Value
4.03
4.24
4.14
4.12
4.26
4.80
Win
4.25
Accommodation
3.93
3.55
3.00
3.96
Win
3.66
2.50
3.94
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +High-quality, engaging teaching from passionate experts
  • +Beautiful, accessible campus with good study and social spaces
  • +Strong student support and sense of community
  • +Exceptional teaching quality & helpful tutors
  • +Strong career services & diverse business programs
  • +Well-organized and engaging course materials
  • +Flexible study options and accessible fees
  • +Supportive and knowledgeable staff
  • +High-quality, engaging course materials
  • +Practical, engaging, and interactive learning experiences
  • +Supportive, knowledgeable, and friendly staff and lecturers
  • +Strong career preparation and industry connections
  • +Convenient location and modern facilities
  • +Supportive and engaging lecturers
  • +Industry-focused and practical learning
  • +Supportive staff and wellbeing resources
  • +Smooth application process and fast feedback
  • +Career coaching and employable skills development
  • +Practical, industry-focused courses
  • +Supportive and knowledgeable staff
  • +Diverse and inclusive student community
Cons
  • -Inadequate student support services and poor management of student organizations.
  • -Overcrowded teaching spaces and insufficient seminar sessions.
  • -Unprofessional lecturing and unfair assessment practices.
  • -Negative student-faculty interactions and lack of support.
  • -Poor online course accessibility and lecture coordination.
  • -Difficulty scheduling appointments with instructors.
  • -Outdated facilities and insufficient resources are a significant problem.
  • -Poor administrative support and management lead to frequent issues.
  • -Ineffective teaching and curriculum relevance are major concerns.
  • -Poor teaching quality and unsupportive dissertation mentors.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a significant source of frustration.
  • -Lack of responsiveness and support from staff is common.
  • -Administrative and management issues caused significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance were major drawbacks.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support from faculty was a recurring problem.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance.
  • -Administrative and management issues.
  • -Lack of engaging and relevant curriculum.
Rating summary
What students say

The university garners high marks, particularly excelling in **Location** with a rating of 4.44 and **Facilities** at 4.37. **Student Life** and **Internationality** also score well, both around 4.28. Areas for potential improvement include **Accomodation**, which received the lowest rating of 3.93, and **Value**, rated at 4.03. **Professors** are rated a respectable 4.16.

This university demonstrates a well-rounded profile, excelling particularly in its **location**, which received the highest score. **Student life**, **internationality**, and **professors** also earned strong marks. However, **accommodation** stands out as the weakest area, with a significantly lower rating compared to other aspects. The university also performs well in **facilities** and **value**.

This institution receives its highest marks for Internationality, closely followed by Professors and Value. Student Life and Accomodation received solid, mid-range scores. The weakest area, with a score significantly lower than others, is Facilities.

Facilities are a standout strength, earning a score of 4.42. The university also performs well in professor quality (4.30) and location (4.26). Areas for improvement include accommodation, with a rating of 3.96, and value for money, which scored 4.12. Overall, the university demonstrates a solid reputation across most aspects of student experience.

Reviewing university metrics reveals a generally positive assessment. The institution excels in **Professor quality**, boasting a 4.37 rating, and also scores highly for **Value** at 4.26. Areas like **Student Life** (3.97) and **Accommodations** (3.66) represent the lower end of the spectrum, though still within a respectable range. Other aspects such as Facilities, Location, and Internationality all fall around the 4.1 mark.

This institution shines in several key areas, boasting perfect scores for its facilities and location, alongside excellent marks for internationality and value. Student life receives a solid rating. However, accommodation stands out as a weaker point, scoring significantly lower than other aspects. Professors are also highly regarded.

Considerable strengths are evident in the university's **Internationality**, scoring a high 4.625, closely followed by its **Location** at 4.5. Ratings for **Facilities** and **Professors** are also robust, both at 4.4375. Conversely, **Student Life** emerges as the area with the lowest score, registering at 3.8125, with **Accomodation** also receiving a comparatively lower rating of 3.9375. **Value** sits comfortably in the mid-range at 4.25.

Reviews summary
Highlights

With a 4.15 average rating, ~80% of 177 reviews are highly positive, praising quality teaching, engaging courses, and a beautiful, accessible campus. A small ~1.7% of feedback mentioned issues with specific departments or support services.

Over 74% of reviews are positive, praising strong teaching, well-organized programs, and supportive staff. A small percentage, ~2%, express concerns about staff empathy and appointment availability.

Approximately 96% of reviews are positive, highlighting excellent academic foundations, supportive staff, and flexible learning options. No negative feedback was recorded among the 28 reviews.

With an average rating of 4.41/5 from 123 reviews, ~91.9% of feedback is positive. Students highlight practical, engaging courses, supportive staff, and excellent campus facilities, preparing them for careers. A single negative review mentioned poor teaching quality and unsupportive mentors.

~97% of reviews are positive, praising the great location, supportive lecturers, and industry-focused courses. Only ~3% of feedback mentioned issues with campus management.

All five reviews are positive, with students praising supportive staff and departments, smooth application processes, and helpful career coaching. Resources like a large library and advance module content are also highlighted.

Nearly all (approx. 100%) reviews are highly positive, with students praising practical courses, supportive lecturers, and a diverse, inclusive environment. No negative feedback was recorded.

Rating distribution
5★
37%
38%
57%
52%
55%
100%
63%
4★
43%
53%
39%
40%
32%
0%
31%
3★
18%
7%
4%
8%
11%
0%
13%
2★
1%
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
1%
0%
0%
1%
3%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked

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Arden lets you study at your comfort !

Title: Arden University Review: Excellence in BA Hons Criminology & Psychology Arden University has truly established itself as a trailblazer in the realm of distance learning, especially when it comes to their BA Hons Criminology & Psychology program. As a current student, I am delighted to share my positive experience and shed light on the reasons why Arden stands out as the best choice for pursuing this specialized degree. 1. Unmatched Flexibility and Convenience: Arden University's distance learning approach is a game-changer for those who seek a balanced lifestyle while pursuing higher education. With the option to study from anywhere and at any time, the university caters to the needs of working professionals, parents, and students with other commitments. This flexibility empowers us to structure our study schedule around our existing responsibilities, promoting a stress-free learning environment. 2. Comprehensive and Relevant Curriculum: The BA Hons Criminology & Psychology program offered by Arden University is designed meticulously to equip students with a deep understanding of the interdisciplinary fields of criminology and psychology. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect the latest industry trends and research, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to address real-world challenges in their respective fields. 3. Expert Faculty and Support: Arden takes pride in its highly qualified and experienced faculty members. The professors not only possess academic brilliance but also bring extensive industry knowledge to the virtual classroom. Their dedication to helping students succeed is evident through interactive online sessions, personalized feedback, and timely assistance with academic queries. 4. Accessible Virtual Learning Environment: Arden's user-friendly online platform fosters a seamless learning experience. Navigating through course materials, submitting assignments, and participating in discussions becomes effortless, even for those new to distance learning. The platform's intuitive interface ensures that technology does not become a barrier to education. 5. Vibrant Student Community: Despite studying from various locations, Arden University has cultivated a vibrant online student community. Collaborative group projects, engaging discussion forums, and virtual events create an enriching social environment, allowing students to build connections and network within their chosen fields. 6. Industry Placement Opportunities: Arden University actively supports students in gaining practical experience through industry placements and internships. These opportunities are invaluable in bridging the gap between theory and practice, empowering graduates to enter the job market with confidence. 7. Excellent Student Support Services: The university's commitment to student success is evident in its comprehensive support services. From academic advisors to career guidance, Arden provides continuous support throughout our educational journey. This level of care ensures that we are equipped to overcome challenges and reach our full potential. In conclusion, Arden University's BA Hons Criminology & Psychology program stands tall as a testament to the excellence of distance learning. The institution's commitment to delivering a well-rounded and industry-relevant education, coupled with its unwavering support for its students, sets it apart as the best choice for aspiring criminologists and psychologists. With Arden, you can take charge of your education without sacrificing your other commitments, making it a truly empowering and fulfilling educational experience.

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Amazing teaching

It’s a good place to study with lots of activities to do do and with a lot of useful resources as they have a 4 floor library which is great to find studies or even a quite place to study. The modules are set out perfectly with all the content already put up in advance for the students to have a look at so that they can study in advance and have a look through before lessons.

New university

I am an international student who came from nepal to get education here. I have met new people and new friends. The teachers have been very helpful and are always teaching me new stuff. The university here i very nice and there is always new stuff to learn

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