Athlone Institute of Technology - AIT vs University College Dublin - UCD vs University of Galway vs Dublin Business School - DBS vs Kemmy Business School - KBS

Side-by-side comparison from 152 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Dublin Business School - DBS (4.40)
Athlone Institute of Technology - AIT: wins 4/7 categories
University College Dublin - UCD: wins 1/7 categories
University of Galway: wins 0/7 categories
Dublin Business School - DBS: wins 2/7 categories
Kemmy Business School - KBS: wins 0/7 categories
ABC Business Academy: wins 0/7 categories
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Biotechnology
Best programme: Computer Science
Galway, Ireland
4.10
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59 reviews
×
Best programme: Digital Marketing
Best programme: Business Management and Marketing
Best programme: Physical Education
Toronto, Canada
Not rated
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0 reviews
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Category ratings
Facilities
4.25
4.31
Win
4.10
4.15
4.00
Not rated
Not rated
Location
3.75
3.99
4.17
4.51
Win
4.00
Not rated
Not rated
Professors
4.50
Win
4.50
4.38
4.43
4.00
Not rated
Not rated
Internationality
4.50
4.29
4.12
4.51
Win
4.00
Not rated
Not rated
Student life
4.67
Win
4.28
3.97
4.15
4.00
Not rated
Not rated
Value
4.50
Win
4.22
4.17
4.15
4.00
Not rated
Not rated
Accommodation
4.25
Win
3.63
3.63
3.74
4.00
Not rated
Not rated
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Strong sense of community and friendships
  • +Positive and inclusive campus atmosphere
  • +Practical, industry-aligned academic programs
  • +Engaging academics and expert faculty
  • +Vibrant international campus and social life
  • +Attractive environment and welcoming community
  • +Engaging and supportive faculty
  • +Vibrant campus life and ample opportunities
  • +Modern facilities and strong academic programs
  • +Central location and accessible campuses
  • +Supportive faculty and engaging learning environment
  • +Diverse student community and industry-relevant curriculum
  • +Expert faculty and supportive environment
  • +Modern facilities and accommodation

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Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and poor maintenance create an unpleasant learning environment.
  • -Lack of effective communication and transparency from staff is a recurring problem.
  • -Administrative and management issues, particularly regarding international student support.
  • -Difficulty in forming social connections due to large student numbers and established social circles.
  • -Teaching styles that are perceived as monotonous and unengaging.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Facilities are often outdated and poorly maintained.
  • -Lack of effective communication and support from staff is a problem.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a significant source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of resources negatively impact the learning experience.
  • -Ineffective teaching and a disconnect with instructors are recurring complaints.
  • -Administrative and management issues create frequent problems.
  • -Facilities are often outdated and poorly maintained.
  • -Communication and transparency are lacking from leadership.

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Rating summary
What students say

This institution garners impressive scores, with **Student Life** standing out as its strongest area at an exceptional 4.67. **Accommodations**, **Facilities**, **Professors**, and **Internationality** all received solid 4.25 to 4.5 ratings, reflecting a well-rounded experience. The **Location** received the lowest mark at 3.75, suggesting this might be an area for potential improvement, although overall ratings remain positive.

Analyzing the university's performance reveals a profile with notable strengths and areas for improvement. Professors receive the highest marks, indicating a strong academic core. Facilities and student life also score well, suggesting a positive overall campus experience. Accommodation, however, stands out as the weakest area, receiving a considerably lower rating. Internationality and value are also rated positively, contributing to a generally favorable assessment.

This institution performs exceptionally well in several key areas. Its professors are highly rated, reflecting a strong academic foundation. Location and value also receive favorable scores. While generally positive, student life and accommodation are the relatively weaker aspects compared to other surveyed categories.

This institution garners excellent scores in several key areas. Location and Internationality are particularly strong, both receiving a high rating of 4.51. Professors are also highly regarded, with a score of 4.43. Facilities, Student Life, and Value are all rated comparably at 4.15. The weakest area identified is Accomodation, which received the lowest score of 3.74.

Across all surveyed categories, this institution demonstrates a consistent and strong performance. Each aspect, from facilities and professors to student life and internationality, has earned a rating of 4. The university excels uniformly, with no single area standing out significantly above others, nor any area identified as a weakness. Its balanced approach suggests a well-rounded educational experience.

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Reviews summary
Highlights

With an average rating of 4.2/5 from 5 reviews, ~80% are positive. Students praise the friendly, inclusive atmosphere, amazing memories, and quality lectures/societies. No negative feedback was provided.

Around 97% of reviews are positive, highlighting engaging academics, a vibrant international community, and a great campus environment. A small percentage noted difficulties with making friends or feeling marginalized as an international student.

With a 4.1/5 average rating from 59 reviews, nearly all feedback highlights a supportive atmosphere, engaging teachers, and excellent facilities. Vibrant campus life and academic rigor are also frequently mentioned. No negative reviews were recorded.

University reviews are overwhelmingly positive (~85%), with students praising the central location, engaging faculty, and practical, industry-relevant curriculum. A small amount of feedback (~0%) mentions limited outdoor space.

With an average rating of 4/5, reviews praise the vibrant academic community, state-of-the-art amenities, and expert faculty. ~100% of feedback is positive, with no negative reviews recorded.

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Rating distribution
5★
40%
39%
19%
54%
0%
0%
0%
4★
40%
54%
73%
31%
100%
0%
0%
3★
20%
4%
8%
15%
0%
0%
0%
2★
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked

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Not for me

Large student population (~30k), difficult to make friends because of irregular lecture structure (at least in humanities dept.) and most Irish students having known others for some time—not to say they aren’t friendly or open to making new friends, just a bit harder to fit in. Professors know what they are talking about and want you to learn, however the overall teaching style at UCD (and most universities)—is composed of listening to someone talk for 45 minutes, taking notes, and then writing an essay worth over half your grade—can feel like pursuing an overwhelmingly exhausting and pointless daily routine. Because of it, I was put on antidepressants. Prepare to replace your identity with an eight-digit number. Unlikely that professors will recognize you due to large lectures, so if you are like me and need to connect with your teachers in order to be a more productive learner, avoid UCD. There are mixed opinions about this, but I personally think that the campus is ugly. Not only is it littered with awful 70s architecture, but they also keep building new things so it is constantly under construction, which is not the most pleasant sight to observe every day. Although, some of the newer buildings, like the science building (which is massive), are nice. The campus is about a one-hour bus ride from the city centre, located in a middle-of-nowhere suburban area of Dublin, so it feels somewhat dull and isolated. Dorm rooms/suites are fantastic except for the fact that most do not have ovens and the showers are as narrow as you are (but perhaps that is to be expected in a dorm). Otherwise, good balance between privacy and sociability, most students have their own rooms but share a common space. Although, rent and goods are expensive and keep getting worse. Student Union fails to fulfil its promises, holds non-competitive elections and prevents foreign students from running for positions, all while the school prides itself on its global diversity. It is a very diverse school, though, that much is true. People from all over the world come here to study, so you're bound to meet someone from a different culture/background. Absolutely dead on the weekends. There is a myriad of societies to join that are fun and free to be a part of, but it can be difficult to balance schoolwork and club activities. Relatively easy to change subjects, variety of modules and subjects to choose from (Archeology was my favourite). The food market every Thursday was the best part of being here. Kind of expensive, but totally worth it. Every year in February they celebrate the Chinese New Year with a small light festival, and it is... awesome. Good food, cool lantern setup near the lake, an art show, and they host amazing dance, singing, and musical performances. UCD is #1 for graduate employability in Ireland, so if you are a career-oriented student, this might be a good place for you. Lots of career options and help from the school. Dublin is truly an amazing city and Ireland is a beautiful country. I do not regret coming here at all and seeing the island, but University College Dublin was not a good fit for me, and if you are anything like me and these issues bother you, it probably would not be a good fit for you either.

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DBS: An Environment For Success

Dublin Business School (DBS) is more than just a place of learning; it's a place where academic excellence meets comfort and global connections. Let me tell you, my time at DBS was a whirlwind of challenges and growth, and I loved every minute of it. The coursework was demanding, no doubt about it, but it was in those moments of pushing my limits that I found my true potential. What really blew me away was how DBS takes care of its students. They understand that finding a cozy place to stay is crucial for focusing on your studies. That's why they offer a range of accommodation options that cater to different preferences and needs. I didn't have to worry about the hassle of finding a place to live – DBS had me covered, and that made settling into student life a breeze. So, if you're looking for a place where hard work meets cozy living and where you can connect with folks from all walks of life, DBS is the way to go.

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