SKEMA Business School vs International School of Management vs University of South Africa - UNISA vs Nelson Mandela University vs North-West University - NWU

Side-by-side comparison from 1,144 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Tie
SKEMA Business School: wins 0/7 categories
International School of Management: wins 7/7 categories
University of South Africa - UNISA: wins 0/7 categories
Nelson Mandela University: wins 0/7 categories
North-West University - NWU: wins 0/7 categories
Central University of Technology, Free State - CUT: wins 0/7 categories
MANCOSA - MANCOSA: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Supply Chain Management
Best programme: Bachelor in Management
Best programme: Law
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
4.40
Read more reviews
105 reviews
×
Best programme: Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
Potchefstroom, South Africa
4.40
Read more reviews
414 reviews
×
Best programme: Economics
Best programme: Information Technology
Durban, South Africa
4.60
Read more reviews
11 reviews
×
Best programme: Financial Management
Category ratings
Facilities
4.21
4.64
Win
4.12
4.12
4.27
4.39
4.11
Location
4.25
4.64
Win
4.32
4.55
4.11
4.50
4.30
Professors
4.42
4.82
Win
4.17
4.22
4.21
4.20
4.09
Internationality
4.36
4.82
Win
4.23
3.83
3.96
3.95
4.00
Student life
4.11
4.50
Win
3.95
4.19
4.20
4.18
4.20
Value
4.03
4.73
Win
4.35
4.38
4.38
4.10
4.64
Accommodation
3.57
4.64
Win
3.21
3.80
3.84
3.72
3.17
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +strong international exposure & opportunities
  • +practical and relevant program curriculum & skills
  • +valuable alumni network & career support
  • +Expert professors and quality cohorts
  • +Flexible learning and personalized support
  • +Global exposure and networking opportunities
  • +Flexible, accessible distance learning
  • +Affordable tuition and resources
  • +Helpful professors and study support
  • +Welcoming and inclusive environment
  • +Excellent academic support and faculty
  • +Strong sense of community and campus life
  • +Excellent support services and helpful faculty
  • +Vibrant and organized campus life with social activities
  • +Beautiful campus environment conducive to study
  • +Supportive and approachable lecturers
  • +Practical, hands-on learning and industry connections
  • +Welcoming and engaging campus environment
  • +Flexible online programs balancing work and study
  • +Supportive lecturers and practical learning experiences
  • +Efficient registration and accessible study resources
Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues, including poor communication and disorganization.
  • -Perceived focus on profit over student welfare, with concerns about teaching quality and discrimination.
  • -Ineffective career guidance and support for students.
  • -Poor communication and administrative issues are common complaints.
  • -Facilities are often described as outdated or in disrepair.
  • -Course content and teaching quality are frequently criticized.
  • -Technical glitches and poor website functionality hinder access to information.
  • -Difficulty navigating academic structure and module selection adds to confusion.
  • -Unhelpful and disrespectful administrative and student support services are a major concern.
  • -Administrative and management issues caused significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of resources negatively impacted learning.
  • -The quality of teaching and course content was inconsistent and disappointing.
  • -Lack of practical experience and career preparation.
  • -Administrative and management issues, with a focus on targets over academics.
  • -Language barriers making academic engagement difficult.
  • -Persistent accommodation problems and administrative errors with marks.
  • -Excessive administrative burdens and lack of support.
  • -Outdated and poorly maintained facilities and equipment.
  • -Limited access to essential resources and learning materials.
Rating summary
What students say

A comprehensive assessment reveals a university with distinct strengths and areas for improvement. Professors and internationality stand out as particularly strong aspects, receiving high marks. Student life and facilities are also rated positively. However, accommodation emerges as the weakest area, with a noticeably lower score compared to other metrics. Value for money is also a solid, though not exceptional, performer in this rating overview.

This institution garners exceptional praise, particularly for its professors and international student experience, both scoring a near-perfect 4.82. Facilities, location, and accommodation also received strong marks around 4.64. Student life earned a solid 4.5, while value was rated a commendable 4.73. The university's weakest area, though still strong, is student life.

This institution scores remarkably well across most metrics, with its strongest areas being **Value** (4.35) and **Location** (4.32). **Internationality** also receives high marks. The ratings indicate that **Accomodation** is the primary area requiring improvement, registering the lowest score at 3.21. Other aspects like Professors and Facilities are rated favorably, while Student Life sits slightly below average.

Overall, this university garners positive feedback, with location standing out as its strongest attribute. Student life and value also received high marks. Conversely, accommodation and internationality represent the areas with the lowest ratings, suggesting potential for improvement in these aspects. The university performs well in facilities and professors, contributing to a generally favorable assessment.

This institution demonstrates strong performance in several key areas. Value for money stands out with the highest rating, closely followed by excellent Facilities. Student Life and Professors also receive commendably high scores. Conversely, Accomodation presents the lowest rating among the surveyed categories, with Internationality also scoring moderately lower than the top-performing metrics.

This university scores exceptionally well in **Location (4.5)** and **Facilities (4.39)**, indicating these are its strongest aspects. Student life, professors, and value also receive solid ratings. The **Accomodation (3.72)** is the lowest-rated area, suggesting room for improvement, while Internationality also falls slightly below the average of other categories.

This institution receives high marks in several key areas, notably excelling in **Value (4.64)** and **Location (4.3)**. **Student Life (4.2)** and **Facilities (4.11)** are also rated positively. However, **Accomodation (3.17)** stands out as the weakest area, indicating potential room for improvement in student living arrangements. Other categories like Professors and Internationality also received solid, above average scores.

Reviews summary
Highlights

Around 97% of reviews are positive, praising international opportunities, practical curriculum, and helpful alumni networks. A small percentage (around 3%) cite issues with management, communication, and organization.

All 11 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.64/5. Students praise the high quality of professors, impressive and diverse student cohorts, and flexible learning options. The curriculum is described as relevant and contemporary, fostering significant personal and career growth.

Around 97.6% of reviews are positive, praising flexible online and distance learning options. A small minority (~2.4%) experienced technical issues or found navigation difficult.

With an average rating of 4.4/5 from 105 reviews, ~94% of feedback is positive, highlighting good location, faculty, and inclusive vibes. A single negative review (~1%) cited frustrating administration and slow prize money distribution.

With a 4.37/5 average rating from 414 reviews, nearly all feedback is positive, highlighting beautiful campuses, vibrant student life, and helpful support services. Very minimal negative feedback exists.

With a 4.3/5 average rating and ~85% positive feedback, students praise hands-on learning, supportive lecturers, and engaging campus life. A small amount of feedback (~5%) mentioned issues with online registration and accommodation.

All 11 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.64/5. Students praised flexible online programs, responsiveness, and practical course content preparation for the workforce.

Rating distribution
5★
49%
64%
49%
51%
49%
55%
64%
4★
42%
36%
37%
39%
39%
30%
36%
3★
7%
0%
11%
9%
11%
10%
0%
2★
2%
0%
1%
0%
1%
0%
0%
1★
2%
0%
1%
1%
0%
5%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Experience in School

My experience in SKEMA Business School is very much enriching. It definitely help me to shape my career aspirations which align with my personal value and even worldview. The management system in my university quite efficient and systematic. Every year, we, students are required to give personal feedback on our learning and courses for each semesters. It is very helpful as it could assist my university to improve its lacking in every aspects.

Just starting and very happy

I am just starting my PhD journey and I could not be happier with my choice in ISM. Amazing experience with quality professors AND impressive cohorts. Working full-time, this educational focus would not be feasible if I was not able to be flexible as to when and where I take my classes. It is a tough, long, and robust path that requires focus, but the team at ISM is truly the best. They help navigate the way that will work best for you and not put you in a 'one way fits all' situation to accomplish this massive step. I wanted a global education that was through a recognized, accredited, and respected school and ISM has not just been that, but so much more.

A practical option for self-motivated students.

My experience at the University of South Africa has been challenging but rewarding. As a distance-learning institution, UNISA requires that it's student be strong, self-discipline and good in time management, which helped me develop independence and resilience. The flexibility of online learning has been a major strength, especially for working students as I started my journey as a working student, and the study materials are generally accessible through the online platform as well as being couriered. However, limited interaction with lecturers and occasional administrative delays can be frustrating and require students to be proactive. Overall, UNISA is well suited to motivated, self-directed learners who value flexibility and are willing to take ownership of their studies.

I liked it's location and how they handled the education system, good engineering faculty, the inclusive vibes, and less protest drama what I disliked is the slow administration, weak job placements,

Amazing

NWU helps unlock students potentials. I came here as a shy person, in less than 2 years I'm a completely different person . More confidence, I am more focused , more motivated and so much more .it's a worthwhile experience being here .

I'm doing Environmental health science currently

It's actually a nice university, it has more opportunities and usually give their students experience that they are gonna need in their professional field. I like almost everything about it ,the events and activities provided to learners 😊. Our lectures are very friendly and real good when it comes to doing their job and they offer more study materials for learners to be able to understand their work.

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