Johan Cruyff Institute vs Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam vs Leiden University vs Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences vs Rotterdam Business School

Side-by-side comparison from 193 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Tie
Johan Cruyff Institute: wins 1/7 categories
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - VU Amsterdam: wins 0/7 categories
Leiden University: wins 0/7 categories
Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences: wins 1/7 categories
Rotterdam Business School: wins 0/7 categories
Webster University Leiden: wins 4/7 categories
Global Humanistic University - GHU: wins 1/7 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Sport Management
Best programme: B.Sc. in Psychology
Leiden, The Netherlands
4.10
Read more reviews
77 reviews
×
Best programme: Liberal Arts
Best programme: BBA (EBA) specialisation Entrepreneurship & Digital Marketing
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
3.00
Read more reviews
7 reviews
×
Best programme: International Business
Leiden, The Netherlands
4.80
Read more reviews
5 reviews
×
Best programme: International Relations
Best programme: PhD in Business Administration
Category ratings
Facilities
4.43
3.74
4.17
3.25
4.00
4.75
Win
2.74
Location
4.00
3.96
4.51
3.71
3.57
5.00
Win
1.89
Professors
4.71
4.13
3.97
3.38
3.43
4.80
Win
4.68
Internationality
4.71
4.26
4.07
4.88
Win
4.14
4.80
4.68
Student life
4.29
Win
3.98
4.14
2.63
3.33
3.60
2.05
Value
4.79
4.19
4.00
3.38
3.14
4.80
4.84
Win
Accommodation
4.21
3.11
3.44
3.50
3.50
4.80
Win
1.95
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Specialized sports management content and expert professors
  • +Valuable industry connections and networking opportunities
  • +Welcoming atmosphere and excellent staff support
  • +Balanced theory/practice with real-world application
  • +Diverse and international student community and faculty
  • +High-quality, challenging education with expert guest lectures
  • +Exceptional academic quality and renowned professors
  • +Supportive and friendly student community
  • +Comprehensive programs and student support services
  • +Practical, industry-focused curriculum with entrepreneurship and FinTech emphasis
  • +Supportive, international, and diverse academic environment
  • +Engaging and approachable professors and mentors
  • +practical learning and real-life application
  • +knowledgeable and supportive professors
  • +development of interpersonal and professional skills
  • +Dedicated and knowledgeable lecturers with ample time for students.
  • +Comfortable and accessible accommodation close to campus.
  • +Excellent career prospects and strong business programs.
  • +Flexible online learning model
  • +Academic rigor and intellectual challenge
  • +Supportive faculty and administration
Cons
  • -Poor quality of instruction and unengaging student discussions.
  • -Ineffective project management and lack of professional experience among peers.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a common complaint.
  • -Poor communication and lack of support negatively impact the student experience.
  • -Administrative and communication issues are prevalent.
  • -Educational quality and professor engagement are lacking.
  • -Perceived lack of equal opportunity and support for diverse student needs.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and resources are a significant drawback.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support is a recurring problem.
  • -Administrative & management issues and lack of clear curriculum.
  • -Poor English proficiency of instructors and low educational standards.
  • -Incompetent management and a flawed grading system.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a recurring problem.
  • -Outdated facilities and lack of modern resources are frequently mentioned.
  • -Inconsistent teaching quality and a lack of academic support are significant concerns.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause significant frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment hinder learning.
  • -Ineffective teaching and curriculum lead to poor educational outcomes.
Rating summary
What students say

Across several key areas, the institution receives commendable ratings. Its strongest performances are noted in Value and Internationality, both achieving near-perfect scores. Professors also garnered exceptionally high marks. The weakest area is Location, which, while still positive, is rated lower than other aspects. Student Life, Accomodation, and Facilities all fall within a strong middle range.

This institution shows a strong performance in key areas, with Internationality (4.26) and Value (4.19) receiving the highest marks. Professors (4.13) also earned a notably positive rating. Student Life (3.98) and Location (3.96) are also well-regarded. The weakest area, however, is Accomodation, which received a considerably lower score of 3.11.

This university garners excellent scores across most aspects, with location being its standout strength. Facilities, student life, and internationality also receive very positive feedback. The value proposition is rated a solid 4. Conversely, accommodation presents the weakest area, with a noticeably lower score compared to other metrics. Professors' ratings are also respectable, though slightly lower than the overall average.

A notable strength lies in the university's **Internationality**, achieving a high rating of 4.875. Conversely, **Student Life** received the lowest score at 2.625, suggesting an area for potential improvement. Other areas, including Accommodation, Location, Value, and Professors, fall within a moderate to good range, indicating a generally well-rounded offering with specific areas of excellence and those needing development.

Internationality stands out as the university's strongest attribute, receiving a high rating. Facilities also scored well. Conversely, Value for money emerged as the weakest area, with the lowest score among the surveyed categories. Other aspects like Professors, Location, Student Life, and Accommodation received moderate evaluations, generally falling between 3.0 and 3.6.

This institution garners exceptional scores in several key areas. Its location is rated a perfect 5, with facilities, professors, accommodation, and internationality all achieving a near-perfect 4.8. Value is also highly regarded at 4.8. The student life rating of 3.6 is the lowest, indicating room for improvement in this particular aspect.

An analysis of the university's ratings reveals a stark contrast between its strengths and weaknesses. The institution excels in **Value** (4.84), **Professors** (4.68), and **Internationality** (4.68). Conversely, **Location** (1.89), **Accomodation** (1.95), and **Student Life** (2.05) received significantly lower scores, indicating areas that may require improvement. Facilities are rated moderately at 2.74.

Reviews summary
Highlights

University students largely praise the insightful sports management content, quality professors, and valuable networking opportunities, with a ~96% positive sentiment. A small fraction of feedback (~4%) mentions issues with academic support variability or program depth.

~93% of 51 reviews are positive, highlighting good theory-practice balance, knowledgeable lecturers, and program flexibility. No negative feedback was recorded.

With ~82% of 78 reviews being positive, students praise high-quality learning, renowned professors, and comprehensive programs. A small percentage (~3.9%) express dissatisfaction with bureaucracy and teaching quality.

Most feedback is positive (~74%), highlighting practical learning, entrepreneurship focus, and internationalism. There are no negative reviews in the provided data.

Approximately 74% of reviews are positive, highlighting teamwork, practical learning, and supportive professors. Negative feedback, representing about 28.6%, mentions disorganized courses and an ineffective grading system.

With a 4.8/5 average, students praise small class sizes, dedicated lecturers, and comfortable accommodation. Limited extracurricular activities and program variety are minor concerns.

Nearly all reviews are positive, with students praising academic rigor, challenging coursework, and flexible online learning. Supervisors and the platform are also frequently highlighted as supportive and effective.

Rating distribution
5★
85%
39%
30%
25%
0%
80%
84%
4★
15%
49%
55%
38%
57%
20%
11%
3★
4%
12%
13%
38%
14%
0%
5%
2★
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1★
4%
0%
3%
0%
29%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
A life-changing experience in Sports Industry

A perfect synergy between theoretical knowledge, practical application, and high-quality networking. After completing the Master in Sport Management at Johan Cruyff Institute, I took a major step forward in my career in the sports industry. What truly sets this institution apart is the closeness and support of the professors and staff, as well as the enriching experiences shared with fellow students. Without a doubt, it has been one of the most transformative decisions of my life.

:)

As a computer science student at the Vrije Universitet in Amsterdam, I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of education and the level of expertise of the professors at this esteemed institution. The faculty members are passionate about their subjects and are always willing to provide guidance and support to students. The curriculum is rigorous, and the coursework is designed to challenge students and prepare them for the ever-evolving world of technology. The courses cover a broad range of topics, from programming languages and algorithms to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The faculty also encourages students to take part in research projects and internships, providing valuable opportunities to apply what we have learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. The campus facilities are excellent, with state-of-the-art labs and equipment available for students to use. The university's location in Amsterdam also offers plenty of opportunities for students to engage in cultural and recreational activities outside of their studies. One of the things that stand out to me is the diverse student body. Being exposed to different perspectives and backgrounds has enriched my learning experience and expanded my understanding of computer science as a field. Overall, I would highly recommend the Vrije Universitet to any computer science student looking for a challenging and rewarding academic experience, excellent faculty, and a diverse and inclusive community.

Terrible Faculty. Not all voices are heard or seen

This faculty in particular only serves the interest of the upper middle class and the rich. It screams DEI and inclusivity, but the message remains hollow, especially since most of these groups include individuals, who have said xenophobic and other discriminatory things about other students and staff in the past. DEI should celebrate all different diversities and not just a single issue one. There is an extrem lack of equal opportunities its always just opportunities for the same old people. How can the same person hold 3-4 positions in the faculty, and yet call the faculty a heaven of "equal opportunities"? To no surprise its just the already wealthy who get every opportunity. They eve created a grassroots funding system where the same old rich students, received yet another opportunity.... Its so cool that you give already rich students more money, instead of addressing structural issues within the faculty. And the worst thing is you leave traces of evidence everywhere, you even suck at false advertising. Theres a lot of hypocrisy in leiden and many students of vulnerable backgrounds are being ignored, slandered and even held back career wise. Yet the perpetrators can still remain in the drivers seat. The perpetrators are both students and staff. The administration/study advisors is terrible and quite frankly useless since everything has just become automated emails, there are no mentors and supervisors only like to serve students who are wealthy. A student could die and they would not care if they are still alive. The building is pretty but it had some leaks in the past. Overall after 2 suicide attempts thanks to their constant harassment and slander. I would give this faculty less than one star. Leiden archaeology is only for the rich conservatives who had failed so hard in their own economic system, that they had to enter a public university (with no entry barriers) because they couldn't compete with people that applied to go to Oxford or Cambridge . It truly is a neoliberal university.

Nothing to show

An absolute joke

I already hold a bachelor’s degree from one of the top 100 universities in Europe, so I have a solid basis for comparison. And let me tell you—Rotterdam Business School (RBS) is, without a doubt, the lowest-level institution I have ever come across. Frankly, it’s embarrassing that they even call themselves a university because this place is a complete mess. After two years of frustration, I finally lost my patience and decided to leave and continue my marketing studies elsewhere. The problems began on day one. On September 1st, students still weren’t assigned to their actual classes. Instead, we were forced to participate in random “bonding activities” with people we wouldn’t even be studying with. The university blamed this on having to move buildings that year, but let’s be real—this level of disorganization is unacceptable. Then came the courses, which were painfully useless. They had us writing essays about ourselves for grades and attending mandatory “coaching” sessions where we had to answer personal questions about our families. I am 25 years old, a grown adult, yet I had to sit through these infantilizing sessions where refusing to answer personal questions was apparently unacceptable. And let’s talk about the complete lack of information. The school constantly forgets to communicate important details. A perfect example: RBS invited first-year students who earned all their credits to attend a ceremony and pick up their propedeuse diploma. What they failed to mention in the email was that you needed to bring an official ID document. I showed up with my driver’s license, and the teacher refused to give me my diploma, demanding I go home and get a “real document.” I told her I live far away and wouldn’t make it back in time, to which she scolded me. How is that my fault when the school didn’t bother to provide clear instructions? Despite my disappointment in year one, I held out hope that things would improve once I reached my marketing specialization. Well, that was a mistake. There is absolutely no difference between specializations—every student, regardless of what they choose, studies the same subjects, does the same assignments, and takes the same exams. What’s the point of choosing a specialization if the school doesn’t even bother to teach it properly? For the entire year, I had only one lecture per week related to my specialization. The rest of the time, I was drowning in pointless assignments like personality quizzes and cultural competence reflections. I learned how to make a LinkedIn page, write a CV, and roleplay a job interview with my groupmates—for a grade. Oh, and of course, there were more discussions on environmental dangers. Was this worth €250 a month? Absolutely not. Looking ahead, it’s clear things don’t get any better. Year three consists of either an exchange or an internship, and year four is another internship. It seems like this school will do anything to avoid actually teaching its students. On top of that, electives are constantly getting canceled at the last minute. I had an elective get canceled on the same day it was supposed to start. Since all the other courses were already full, I had to literally beg a teacher to let me into another one just so I could earn enough credits. The teachers at RBS are another major issue. Many are arrogant and clearly favor Dutch students. During one of my recent exams, the supervisor refused to give instructions in English. When my class president pointed out that most students were international, she just continued speaking Dutch. Then, when a classmate asked if she could leave early if she finished her exam, the supervisor sarcastically asked, “Do you really think you’re that smart?” That level of unprofessionalism is just shocking. Some teachers even force students to buy their own books, blatantly saying, “If you don’t buy this book, you won’t pass the exam.” There are no clear grading guidelines, so your grade often depends on the teacher’s mood rather than your actual work. And if you fail an exam? Good luck figuring out what went wrong—many teachers don’t even bother writing feedback. There is one particular teacher I know of who has received numerous complaints from students, yet nothing has been done about it. He continues to teach as if nothing ever happened, and the university simply ignores the issues. To make matters worse, exams are full of mistakes. Whoever creates them clearly doesn’t double-check their work, so students often have to waste time figuring out what was actually meant. It’s frustrating when you’re sitting in an exam, already under pressure, and you find errors in the questions themselves. Rotterdam Business School is an absolute joke. If you want to do middle-school-level assignments and waste your time, go ahead and join. But if you actually want to become a specialist in your field, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

Resources

Pros - Classes are small-sized which helps lecturers have enough time for students and explain concepts. - Friendly staff. - Accommodation is top notch and easily accessible. - Career prospects is excellent. - Great facilities. - Racial diversity is great. Cons - Not enough programs to choose from. - Limited payment plan/time.

Work-Life and Education Balance

I am a PhD student at Global Humanistic University. I chose GHU because of its flexible and balanced learning model of online education. With the busy schedules of my entrepreneurial journey, GHU has offered me an effective education model which aligns with my aspiration of right balance between professional work, education, and family. My supervisor and the administration team are effective in their communication which makes learning and coordination hustle free. I recommend GHU for professionals who desire to enhance their education.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our Privacy Policy for more details.
Close