University of Applied Sciences - HTW Berlin vs European School of Management and Technology - ESMT Berlin vs Ilmenau University of Technology vs IU International University of Applied Sciences vs Schiller International University

Side-by-side comparison from 221 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Forward College (4.90)
University of Applied Sciences - HTW Berlin: wins 0/6 categories
European School of Management and Technology - ESMT Berlin: wins 0/6 categories
Ilmenau University of Technology: wins 1/6 categories
IU International University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/6 categories
Schiller International University: wins 1/6 categories
University of Applied Management Studies - HdWM: wins 0/6 categories
Forward College: wins 4/6 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Applied Computer Science
Best programme: Business Administration in Management
Best programme: Media and Communications Science
Best programme: MBA
Tampa, Florida, United States
4.60
Read more reviews
14 reviews
×
Best programme: BA International Relations and Diplomacy
Paris, France
4.90
Top
Read more reviews
16 reviews
×
Best programme: Politics and International Relations
Category ratings
Facilities
3.91
4.33
4.00
3.69
3.92
Not rated
4.47
Win
Location
4.00
5.00
3.30
3.87
4.93
Not rated
5.00
Professors
4.00
4.33
4.18
4.43
4.64
Not rated
5.00
Win
Internationality
4.19
4.50
3.91
4.44
4.93
Win
Not rated
4.75
Student life
4.04
4.33
3.50
3.62
4.15
Not rated
4.73
Win
Value
3.98
4.50
3.91
4.32
4.29
Not rated
4.63
Win
Accommodation
3.88
4.33
4.60
Win
3.11
3.62
Not rated
4.33
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Supportive environment and academic resources
  • +Vibrant campus life and social engagement
  • +Opportunities for personal growth and development
  • +Passionate, knowledgeable professors and engaging teaching
  • +Practical, real-world-focused curriculum
  • +Dynamic community and vibrant atmosphere
  • +Highly qualified and supportive professors and strong research opportunities.
  • +Affordable living costs and low tuition fees.
  • +Well-structured programs with modern facilities and industry connections.
  • +Flexible online study for work-life balance
  • +Modern, intuitive digital platform for easy access
  • +Relevant, high-quality educational content
  • +Diverse student and educator backgrounds
  • +Opportunities for personal and career growth
  • +Supportive and organized academic environment

Nothing to show

  • +Engaging learning environment with interactive methods
  • +Diverse and international student community
  • +Unique multi-city European study experience
Cons
  • -Poor quality instruction and unhelpful teachers
  • -Lack of administrative and management support
  • -Outdated facilities and resources
  • -Administrative and management issues are a frequent source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources are a common complaint.
  • -The curriculum is often perceived as irrelevant or poorly delivered.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant delays.
  • -Poor professor availability and slow responses hinder progress.
  • -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.
  • -Limited extracurriculars and career opportunities.
  • -Poor quality of facilities and overall environment.
  • -Lack of academic rigor and student engagement.

Nothing to show

  • -Administrative & management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a concern.
  • -Lack of transparency and communication is prevalent.
Rating summary
What students say

Overall, the university garners positive feedback with its strongest area being **Internationality**, scoring 4.19. Student life also performs well at 4.04. Areas with slightly lower, though still respectable, ratings include **Facilities** at 3.91 and **Accomodation** at 3.88. Professors, location, and value all received a solid 4 or close to it, indicating a well-rounded student experience.

Remarkably high scores characterize this university's performance. Its location stands out with a perfect 5.0 rating, marking it as its strongest area. Areas such as facilities, professors, student life, and accommodation all received excellent scores of 4.33. Internationality and value were also strong, both earning 4.5. No significant weaknesses were identified, with all categories receiving positive feedback.

With a strong showing in several key areas, this institution excels in **Accommodation**, receiving a near-perfect score of 4.6. Professors and Facilities also garnered positive marks, both at 4.0 and above. Conversely, **Location** emerged as the lowest-rated aspect at 3.3. Internationality and Value are rated similarly, indicating a solid overall offering with a notable strength in on-campus living.

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.

The university exhibits exceptional strengths in its location and internationality, both scoring a near-perfect 4.93. Professors also receive high marks at 4.64, complemented by strong student life (4.15) and value (4.29). The weakest areas are facilities, rated at 3.92, and accommodation, which received a 3.62.

Nothing to show

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.

Reviews summary
Highlights

Approximately 98% of reviews are positive, highlighting enjoyable campus life, supportive environments, modern facilities, and ample opportunities for social engagement and personal development. A small amount of negative feedback points to inconsistent teaching quality and interpersonal issues.

All six reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.33/5. Students highlight passionate professors, engaging classes, and exceptional education quality. There is no negative feedback.

With ~82% positive reviews and an average rating of 4/5, students praise strong research, innovative professors, and affordability. A small portion (~9%) of feedback mentions coordination issues and difficulties in securing master's thesis topics.

~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.

University reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with 13 out of 14 (93%) giving high ratings. Students praise the diverse educators and peer networks, cultural exposure, and opportunities for personal and academic growth. A small percentage of feedback (around 7%) mentions a lack of extracurricular activities and internship availability for earlier years.

Nothing to show

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

Rating distribution
5★
4%
33%
36%
63%
71%
0%
94%
4★
85%
67%
45%
27%
21%
0%
6%
3★
9%
0%
9%
6%
0%
0%
0%
2★
0%
0%
0%
2%
7%
0%
0%
1★
2%
0%
9%
3%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
A university that takes away its student's spirit

Project management teacher fails people and tells them straight into their face it’s because she doesn’t like them. The Law teacher had us do presentations and didn’t even do one single class in a year. Ethics teacher claims that women deserve to get sexually assaulted if their dress is an inch too short. The Economics teacher does not speak English even though the major is taught in it. Half the students are internationals without German coming to Berlin to study, yet most “International” subjects are talking only about Germany and giving presentations in German. There is nothing applied about this university, it is all old theory. Marketing classes did not even include advertising, social media, digital media or anything more relevant in the past decade. Same for other subjects. The administration is disorganised. The international student office is always on holidays and never replies. The administration does not answer at all until you send your e-mails to their bosses. Due to the error OF THE ADMINISTRATION, they did not want to count my two semesters abroad until I fought them for seven months and emailed everyone at school when suddenly it was a matter of one document. One thesis supervisor steals his students' work for his own publications and has plenty of lawsuits. The other master’s supervisor did not answer any of the e-mails during the writing, except for one which said ‘I don’t know, google it”. There is so much more I could say. This school is a disaster and if you are reading this review DO NOT GO HERE, they really don’t care about their students. Neither does the school administration, nor the teachers. If at least one person decides not to go there due to this review I already did a good deed. Try HWR, Free University, Humboldt, or anything else. It was a horrible experience that made me not want to continue educating myself for at least a few years until I can forget all those horrible moments and people (except some single people and students)

Well qualified professors and great connectons with the industry

Well structured programs, great facilities and very good career development team. The alumni relations with the school are great and well maintained and fostered. Overall a great school right in the middle of Berlin.

Nothing to show

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.

The cultural mix and the great atmosphere.

I loved being at Schiller in Heidelberg. The setting and the city were very serene and the exposure to all those students and teachers from such different and diverse backgrounds was a great learning experience. Additionally, the ease of accessing the Schiller campuses in the other countries was a great additional bonus to studying at Schiller. I would most definitely recommend Schiller to other students who are looking for a very culturally fulfilling experience.

Nothing to show

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.

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