École Polytechnique Paris vs Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - UPVD vs emlyon business school vs EDHEC Business School vs Clermont School of Business

Side-by-side comparison from 225 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Forward College (4.90)
École Polytechnique Paris: wins 1/7 categories
Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - UPVD: wins 0/7 categories
emlyon business school: wins 0/7 categories
EDHEC Business School: wins 0/7 categories
Clermont School of Business: wins 1/7 categories
ESSCA School of Management: wins 0/7 categories
Forward College: wins 5/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Mathematics and Computer Science
Best programme: Art and Design
Best programme: Programme Grande Ecole (PGE)
Best programme: Business Administration in Management
Clermont-Ferrand, France
4.70
Read more reviews
63 reviews
×
Best programme: Bachelor in International Management
Best programme: Programme Grande Ecole (PGE)
Paris, France
4.90
Top
Read more reviews
16 reviews
×
Best programme: Politics and International Relations
Category ratings
Facilities
3.59
4.00
4.15
4.23
4.29
3.74
4.47
Win
Location
3.06
4.50
4.60
3.77
4.32
4.16
5.00
Win
Professors
4.24
4.50
4.06
4.32
4.41
3.85
5.00
Win
Internationality
4.29
4.00
4.60
4.45
4.76
Win
3.89
4.75
Student life
4.06
4.50
4.25
4.13
4.35
4.12
4.73
Win
Value
4.29
4.00
4.43
4.06
4.37
3.70
4.63
Win
Accommodation
4.35
Win
4.00
3.94
3.21
4.10
3.37
4.33
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Strong academic programs and international career/further study opportunities.
  • +Supportive and international student community with a family-like atmosphere.
  • +High-quality professors and engaging learning experiences despite demanding workloads.
  • +Inspiring environment and inspiring professors
  • +Supportive student resources
  • +Diverse and globally-oriented programs
  • +Practical and international programs with diverse students
  • +Valuable professional experience through internships and work-study
  • +Supportive environment for personal and professional development
  • +Outstanding teaching quality and practical, employer-aligned courses
  • +Strong corporate network and valuable career services
  • +Rigorous academics with practical industry insights
  • +Industry-experienced professors and practical, career-focused programs.
  • +Extensive international opportunities and a diverse learning environment.
  • +Strong combination of academic rigor and real-world application.
  • +High-quality education with specialized pathways and practical application
  • +Supportive community and vibrant campus life with numerous activities
  • +Strong industry connections and opportunities for real-world experience
  • +Engaging learning environment with interactive methods
  • +Diverse and international student community
  • +Unique multi-city European study experience
Cons
  • -Administrative and communication issues hinder problem-solving.
  • -Lack of social integration, particularly for non-French speakers.
  • -Frustrating administrative and management issues are a major complaint.
  • -Outdated and inadequate facilities are a recurring problem.
  • -Lack of necessary resources and support hinders learning.
  • -Lack of practical value and shallow content in courses.
  • -Unfair and frustrating grading, especially for group projects.
  • -Disappointing professor engagement and program support.
  • -High tuition fees and perceived poor value for money are a major concern.
  • -Incompetent or unqualified professors hinder learning and job readiness.
  • -Lack of significant academic advancement or new knowledge gained.
  • -Poor quality of teaching and irrelevant course content.
  • -Significant organizational and administrative problems.
  • -High cost with little perceived value.
  • -Administrative & management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a concern.
  • -Lack of transparency and communication is prevalent.
Rating summary
What students say

A closer look at the university's performance reveals strong areas in Accommodation, Internationality, and Value, all receiving scores above 4.29. Professors also scored highly at 4.24. Conversely, Location stands out as the weakest category, with a score of 3.06. Facilities received a moderate rating of 3.59, while Student Life sits comfortably in the middle at 4.06.

This institution demonstrates a strong overall performance, with particularly high marks in Professors, Location, and Student Life, all receiving a 4.5 rating. Facilities and Accomodation are also well-regarded, each scoring a 4. While no areas received low ratings, Facilities and Accomodation represent the comparatively lower end of the spectrum among its otherwise excellent scores. Internationality and Value also align with the general strength observed.

This institution demonstrates exceptional strength in its internationality and location, both scoring above 4.5. Student life and value also received positive marks, exceeding 4.2 and 4.4 respectively. However, accommodation presents as the weakest area, with the lowest rating of approximately 3.94. Facilities and professors also received solid, though slightly lower, scores in comparison.

The university excels in Internationality with a rating of 4.45, closely followed by its Professors at 4.32 and Facilities at 4.23. Student Life and Value also receive positive marks. Conversely, Accomodation presents the weakest area, scoring 3.21, with Location also being a moderate concern at 3.77. Overall, the institution demonstrates strengths in its academic and global offerings, while areas concerning student living arrangements and campus surroundings could see improvement.

This university garners strong ratings across multiple aspects, particularly excelling in **Internationality** with a score of 4.76. Other well-regarded areas include Professors (4.41), Student Life (4.35), and Value (4.37). The weakest area identified is **Accomodation**, receiving the lowest score of 4.10, though still representing a positive assessment.

Overall, this institution receives a balanced set of ratings. Its strongest areas are **Location** (4.16) and **Student Life** (4.11), indicating positive student experiences in these regards. **Accomodation**, however, presents the weakest point at 3.37. Ratings for Facilities, Professors, and Internationality fall within a mid-to-high range, suggesting generally satisfactory performance across these aspects.

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

Most reviews are highly positive (~82%), praising strong academic programs, international opportunities, and a supportive student body. A small portion of feedback (~6%) notes issues with university organization, administration, and social life, particularly for non-French speakers.

The university receives excellent feedback, with 100% of reviews being positive. Students highlight strong support systems and a unique learning environment.

The vast majority of university students have a positive experience, highlighting academic rigor, practical learning, and international environments. A small fraction of reviews mention disappointment with course content and grading.

With an average rating of 4.25/5 from 48 reviews, ~74% of feedback is positive. Students highlight outstanding teaching quality, practical courses, strong industry alignment, and excellent career services/alumni networks. One negative review mentioned high tuition fees.

Most reviews are positive, highlighting strong programs and international opportunities. Approximately 3.1% of feedback expressed concerns about professor competence and a lack of practical skills learned.

Around 74% of reviews are positive, highlighting good knowledge transfer, practical experience, and vibrant campus life. Just ~7.4% of feedback is negative, citing unprepared professors and organizational issues.

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

Rating distribution
5★
59%
0%
60%
38%
71%
30%
94%
4★
24%
100%
28%
53%
24%
44%
6%
3★
12%
0%
9%
9%
5%
19%
0%
2★
6%
0%
0%
2%
2%
4%
0%
1★
0%
0%
2%
0%
2%
4%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Academic, Professional, and Creative Growth

Academic Opportunities: Building Connections and Research Experience Studying both my Bachelor's and Master's at École Polytechnique has been an incredibly enriching experience, particularly in terms of academic development and networking. The school provides exceptional opportunities to connect with academic officers who offer valuable guidance on CV-building and career pathways. Additionally, the support from the economics department and faculty members has been instrumental in shaping my career aspirations. Currently, I am working as a research assistant, and I am about to embark on my fifth research experience. My journey so far has included both voluntary and contractual positions under the guidance of two professors. These experiences have spanned multiple disciplines, including economics, statistics, mathematics, and coding. The interdisciplinary nature of these projects has allowed me to develop a well-rounded skill set and a deep appreciation for research. With aspirations to pursue a PhD, I find the academic environment at École Polytechnique highly supportive. The connections I have built with faculty members and researchers have been invaluable in shaping my future career path. The guidance and mentorship provided by the faculty have significantly contributed to my academic and professional growth. During my Bachelor's, tutoring sessions taught by engineering students were incredibly helpful in improving my understanding of difficult mathematics concepts. These sessions have often been a lifesaver, helping me grasp complex topics and ultimately succeed in exams. Communication Challenges and Professional Development I participate in English programs, but some projects in collaboration with the city of Paris involve French professionals and authorities. As a non-native French speaker with Chinese as my mother tongue, communication with professionals at École Polytechnique has sometimes been challenging, especially when some professors or professionals are more comfortable speaking French rather than English. However, through group projects, navigating complex team dynamics, and facing tough situations with professionals, I have developed essential communication skills. These experiences have allowed me to gradually build my professional toolbox, equipping me with the necessary skills to adapt and thrive in an international academic and professional environment. Extracurricular Engagement: Fostering Creativity and Community Beyond academics, École Polytechnique has been a vibrant space for my passion for the arts. The school's strong support for extracurricular activities has allowed me to work alongside like-minded, art-loving peers and receive guidance from faculty members who facilitate event organization and club development. During my Bachelor's, I established the Art Committee, and in my Master's, I co-founded MX-ARTS, an art and performing arts club. Through these initiatives, we organized showcases, art exhibitions, and talent shows, gradually expanding our network to collaborate with 12 different clubs across Bachelor's, Master's, and Engineering programs. Career Support: Training and Professional Opportunities École Polytechnique provides comprehensive career training and consulting services to prepare students for professional success. The school's company forums and networking events serve as excellent platforms for students to connect with industry professionals and secure internships. Many of my classmates have successfully leveraged these resources to find rewarding internship opportunities in top firms and research institutions. Conclusion: A Transformative Experience Overall, my time at École Polytechnique has been transformative, offering a perfect balance between academic rigor, research exposure, creative expression, and career development. The institution's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, mentorship, and extracurricular engagement has played a pivotal role in shaping my personal and professional journey. As I continue toward a PhD, I am grateful for the incredible support system and the opportunities that this institution has provided.

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Enriching Experience

I absolutely love everything about EDHEC, beginning from the pedagogy to the atmosphere it provides to the students (especially international) on campus. The extracurricular activities like sports, associations are very helpful. Also, the career service provided is top-notch. Therefore, I would call it an enriching experience so far.

Student Consultant

I had an amazing experience at ESC Clermont Business School. As a school founded in 1919, it has more than 100 years of history and a strong reputation for academic excellence. It perfectly combines tradition with modern teaching methods and innovative business education. The professors are knowledgeable, approachable, and always willing to support students both academically and professionally. The courses are practical, industry-focused, and designed to prepare students for today's global business environment, making the school competitive with many of the top business schools in France. One of the things I appreciated most was the location. Clermont-Ferrand is a beautiful, safe, and welcoming city that offers a great quality of life for students. The school truly values its international community, creating an inclusive environment where students from different cultures feel comfortable and supported from day one. What makes the experience even more special is the local community. The people in Clermont are friendly and welcoming, making it easy for international students to integrate, build friendships, and experience French culture beyond the classroom. I highly recommend ESC Clermont Business School to anyone looking for a high-quality business education, excellent faculty, a diverse international environment, and a supportive community. It is a place where you can grow academically, professionally, and personally.

Well-rounded programme

Overall, I had a positive experience at ESSCA. The programme is well organized and provides a solid foundation in business and management. The courses were generally of good quality and covered a broad range of topics, helping students develop both academic knowledge and practical skills. One of the aspects I appreciated most was the international exchange during the third year. ESSCA has a good network of partner universities, and the opportunity to study abroad was a valuable part of the programme. Student life is also a real strength of the school. The associative environment is active and offers many opportunities to get involved outside the classroom, meet new people, and gain additional experience. Like any programme, some courses were more engaging than others, but overall I found the experience enriching and would recommend it to students looking for a business school with a strong international dimension and a good balance between academics and extracurricular activities.

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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