SKEMA Business School vs University of South Africa - UNISA vs University of the Free State - UFS UV vs North-West University - NWU vs Central University of Technology, Free State - CUT

Side-by-side comparison from 1,076 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: University of the Free State - UFS UV (4.50)
SKEMA Business School: wins 2/7 categories
University of South Africa - UNISA: wins 0/7 categories
University of the Free State - UFS UV: wins 4/7 categories
North-West University - NWU: wins 0/7 categories
Central University of Technology, Free State - CUT: wins 1/7 categories
Milpark Education: wins 0/7 categories
Eduvos - eduvos: wins 0/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Supply Chain Management
Best programme: Law
Bloemfontein, South Africa
4.50
Top
Read more reviews
41 reviews
×
Best programme: Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
Potchefstroom, South Africa
4.40
Read more reviews
414 reviews
×
Best programme: Economics
Best programme: Information Technology
Cape Town, South Africa
2.80
Read more reviews
4 reviews
×
Best programme: Accounting
Johannesburg, South Africa
3.90
Read more reviews
14 reviews
×
Best programme: Arts and Humanities
Category ratings
Facilities
4.21
4.12
4.49
Win
4.27
4.39
1.25
4.43
Location
4.25
4.32
4.17
4.11
4.50
Win
3.00
4.38
Professors
4.42
Win
4.17
4.34
4.21
4.20
3.00
4.00
Internationality
4.36
Win
4.23
3.83
3.96
3.95
3.00
4.00
Student life
4.11
3.95
4.54
Win
4.20
4.18
1.25
3.93
Value
4.03
4.35
4.61
Win
4.38
4.10
3.00
3.93
Accommodation
3.57
3.21
4.00
Win
3.84
3.72
1.00
3.46
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +strong international exposure & opportunities
  • +practical and relevant program curriculum & skills
  • +valuable alumni network & career support
  • +Flexible, accessible distance learning
  • +Affordable tuition and resources
  • +Helpful professors and study support
  • +Supportive and knowledgeable lecturers
  • +Inclusive and vibrant campus environment
  • +Strong academic programs and focus on student success
  • +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
  • +Exceptional flexibility for working professionals.
  • +Strong lecturer availability and support systems.
  • +Well-structured and engaging course content.
  • +Small class sizes and individualized lecturer support
  • +Practical, career-focused curriculum with diverse subject coverage
  • +User-friendly application and flexible, supportive learning environment
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.
  • -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.
  • -Inadequate and outdated facilities.
  • -Poor communication and administrative support.
  • -Lack of opportunities and insufficient academic resources.
  • -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.
  • -Administrative and communication issues create confusion and unnecessary costs.
  • -The institution prioritizes financial gain over genuine student support and well-being.
  • -Exam content and assessment procedures are misleading and unfair.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a common source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and lack of resources hinder the learning experience.
  • -Inconsistent teaching quality and lack of support for students are prevalent complaints.
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 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.

This institution garners excellent marks, particularly in **Student Life** and **Value**, both exceeding 4.5. **Facilities** also score highly at 4.49. The university's weakest area is **Internationality**, rated at 3.83, suggesting room for improvement in global engagement. Other categories, including **Professors**, **Location**, and **Accomodation**, fall within a solid range of 4 to 4.34.

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 exhibits a notable disparity in its evaluated aspects. Its weakest areas, with scores of 1.25 and 1 respectively, are Facilities and Accomodation, suggesting significant room for improvement in these domains. Conversely, Location, Internationality, and Value are its strongest points, all receiving a solid rating of 3. Professors also perform moderately well at 3.

This university's ratings show a strong emphasis on its **facilities**, achieving an impressive 4.43. **Location** also scores highly at 4.38. Conversely, **accommodation** presents as the area needing the most development, with a rating of 3.46. Student life and value are rated similarly around 3.93, while professors and internationality are solid at 4.

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.

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 4.46/5 from 41 reviews, ~90% of feedback is positive. Students highlight academic excellence, great lecturers, and a positive campus environment. There are no negative reviews provided.

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.

Half of the university's reviews are negative, citing communication and application issues, as well as concerns about finances and perceived unfair grading. Positive feedback highlights flexibility and lecturer support, despite the high cost.

University reviews are largely positive (~71%), with students appreciating smaller class sizes and individual lecturer support. Some mention a demanding block system and desire for improved administrative communication.

Rating distribution
5★
49%
49%
56%
49%
55%
25%
14%
4★
42%
37%
34%
39%
30%
25%
57%
3★
7%
11%
10%
11%
10%
0%
29%
2★
2%
1%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
1★
2%
1%
0%
0%
5%
50%
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.

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.

Level of education

UFS is a beautiful university, its level of education is amazing, quality and high. Another thing I like about it is diversity of students and teachers who are attending this university. I highly recommend it.

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.

Nothing to show

Work load

Good but you have to be ready to take on a busy academic schedule, the four quarter system, means more work spaced out in smaller time frame as opposed to a traditional semester schedule. The hybrid learning model allows you to balance school and your personal life, whilst giving you the responsibility of managing your school work

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