Free University of Berlin - FU vs European School of Management and Technology - ESMT Berlin vs IU International University of Applied Sciences vs Berlin School of Business and Innovation - BSBI vs bbw University of Applied Sciences

Side-by-side comparison from 218 verified student reviews. Scan one row at a time — winners are highlighted

Quick verdict
Higher overall rating: Forward College (4.90)
Free University of Berlin - FU: wins 0/5 categories
European School of Management and Technology - ESMT Berlin: wins 0/5 categories
IU International University of Applied Sciences: wins 0/5 categories
Berlin School of Business and Innovation - BSBI: wins 0/5 categories
bbw University of Applied Sciences: wins 1/5 categories
Forward College: wins 1/5 categories
Catalyst – Institute for Creative Arts and Technology: wins 3/5 categories
Comparing
Best programme: Business Administration
Best programme: Business Administration in Management
Best programme: MBA
Best programme: MBA
Best programme: International Technology Transfer Management
Paris, France
4.90
Top
Read more reviews
16 reviews
×
Best programme: Politics and International Relations
Best programme: Music Production and Sound Engineering
Category ratings
Facilities
4.00
4.33
3.69
3.98
3.33
4.47
4.75
Win
Location
4.00
5.00
3.87
4.02
4.67
5.00
4.25
Professors
4.20
4.33
4.43
3.88
4.33
5.00
Win
3.88
Internationality
4.45
4.50
4.44
4.05
4.00
4.75
5.00
Win
Student life
4.00
4.33
3.62
3.83
3.67
4.73
4.75
Win
Value
4.00
4.50
4.32
3.83
4.67
Win
4.63
4.13
Accommodation
3.11
4.33
3.11
3.27
1.67
4.33
2.25
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • +Excellent faculty and academic quality
  • +International and diverse environment
  • +Accessible education with no tuition fees
  • +Passionate, knowledgeable professors and engaging teaching
  • +Practical, real-world-focused curriculum
  • +Dynamic community and vibrant atmosphere
  • +Flexible online study for work-life balance
  • +Modern, intuitive digital platform for easy access
  • +Relevant, high-quality educational content
  • +Comprehensive programs and extracurriculars
  • +Excellent student support and guidance
  • +Balanced study-work-life mode
  • +Supportive professors
  • +Diverse and relevant course content
  • +Well-structured program duration
  • +Engaging learning environment with interactive methods
  • +Diverse and international student community
  • +Unique multi-city European study experience
  • +Hands-on learning and practical experience
  • +Access to professional gear and facilities
  • +Supportive and collaborative environment
Cons
  • -Administrative and management issues are a frequent source of frustration.
  • -Facilities are often described as outdated or poorly maintained.
  • -Course content and teaching quality are sometimes criticized as lacking or ineffective.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a frequent source of frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources are a common complaint.
  • -The curriculum is often perceived as irrelevant or poorly delivered.
  • -Slow and unresponsive administrative processes, including grade processing and student support.
  • -Poor staff attitude and lack of accountability for errors in student records and applications.
  • -Inadequate support and guidance for online students.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause problems.
  • -Poor teaching quality and academic support are prevalent.
  • -Lack of diversity and perceived favoritism are significant concerns.
  • -Administrative and management issues are a recurring problem.
  • -Outdated facilities and a lack of modern resources are a significant drawback.
  • -The curriculum is often perceived as irrelevant and poorly structured.
  • -Administrative & management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a concern.
  • -Lack of transparency and communication is prevalent.
  • -Administrative and management issues cause frustration.
  • -Outdated facilities and equipment are a recurring problem.
  • -Lack of clear communication and support is a major concern.
Rating summary
What students say

This institution demonstrates a strong overall performance, with particularly high marks in Internationality (4.45), closely followed by Professors (4.2) and Student Life (4), Facilities (4), and Value (4). Accommodation emerges as the weakest area, receiving a lower rating of 3.1. The university generally offers a positive experience, with notable strengths in global engagement and academic quality.

Remarkably high scores characterize this university's performance. Its location stands out with a perfect 5.0 rating, marking it as its strongest area. Areas such as facilities, professors, student life, and accommodation all received excellent scores of 4.33. Internationality and value were also strong, both earning 4.5. No significant weaknesses were identified, with all categories receiving positive feedback.

This institution garners notable praise in several key areas, with **Internationality** and **Professors** receiving particularly high scores. The **Value** proposition is also well-regarded. Conversely, **Accomodation** stands out as the lowest-rated aspect. Other aspects like Facilities, Location, and Student Life fall within a more moderate range of positive feedback.

This university garners its highest marks for Internationality (4.05) and Location (4.02). Facilities also score well at 3.98. Conversely, Accomodation is the lowest rated area, receiving a 3.27. Student Life and Value share a 3.83 rating, while Professors are rated 3.88. Overall, the university demonstrates a solid, though not perfect, performance across these metrics.

Regarding its student experience, the institution receives particularly strong marks for its Location and Value, both rated at 4.67. Internationality is also well-regarded at 4.0. Areas needing improvement include Accomodation, which stands out as the lowest-rated category at 1.67, and Facilities, scoring 3.33. Professors and Student Life are rated moderately well.

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.

This institution achieves outstanding scores in several key areas, notably Internationality (5.0) and Facilities and Student Life, both at an impressive 4.75. However, Accomodation presents a significant challenge, receiving the lowest rating at 2.25. Professors and Value also received solid, above-average scores.

Reviews summary
Highlights

With 21 positive out of 24 reviews and an average rating of 4.17/5, ~88% of feedback is highly positive. Students praise strong academics, a diverse, international environment, and supportive professors, with few mentioning minor issues like confusing course selection.

All six reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.33/5. Students highlight passionate professors, engaging classes, and exceptional education quality. There is no negative feedback.

~95% of reviews are positive, praising flexibility, modern platforms, and accessible materials. A small percentage (~5%) mention issues with grading delays and slow administrative support.

Approximately 74% of reviews are positive, highlighting a good program range, helpful advisors, and a favorable fee structure. Around 18.6% are negative, citing unprofessionalism, lack of academic support, and poor management.

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive (~100%) with an average rating of 4.67/5. Students highlight supportive professors, diverse and relevant course content, and manageable program duration. Accommodation in Berlin is a noted challenge.

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

University reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with ~88% of feedback being 4-5 stars. Students praise hands-on learning, creative freedom, and access to professional-grade equipment. There is virtually no negative feedback.

Rating distribution
5★
29%
33%
63%
56%
67%
94%
25%
4★
58%
67%
27%
17%
33%
6%
63%
3★
13%
0%
6%
12%
0%
0%
13%
2★
0%
0%
2%
7%
0%
0%
0%
1★
0%
0%
3%
12%
0%
0%
0%
Most useful review
Most liked
Research

Free University of Berlin is a great educational institution for international students. It gives you a great opportunity to learn how to work with an international teams in fields of the sociological research.

Well qualified professors and great connectons with the industry

Well structured programs, great facilities and very good career development team. The alumni relations with the school are great and well maintained and fostered. Overall a great school right in the middle of Berlin.

The best university in the world

My experience with IU is very wonderful and exceptional. The learning process is smooth and easy especially for online students and the exams are well tailored to test your knowledge on what you have been learning. It is quite great indeed.

BSBI has got very good advisor system

My name is Ismail and I recommend BSBI for every student. They have really helped me throughout my online application process especially the Student Advisor Teja sree sikkem, in fact she is such a sweet person. Please contact her if you want to join BSBI, she is the best and guides you in each and every step in the admission process

Excellent university

I am pursuing my Master's study in International Technology Transfer Management at bbw Berlin. I started my study here In March 2022. Actually, the course is a combination Techno-Management and the course duration is 4 semesters. The first two-semester for subjects and 3rd is for Internships and the Last semester is for Master's Thesis. you can learn many Modules which are as below. Technical Area : Smart Factory and Digitalized Production Logistics and Mobility Technologies Technologies and Trends in Bioengineering Management Area : Principles of Management Product and Innovation Management International Management Project Management Here all professors are very helpful and supportive and they will guide you at every stage. University’s location is in the centre of Berlin so students get easy transportation. So from my personal experience, I would like to suggest this university who are searching Techno-Management course in Europe.

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.

The Challenge

I'm a Creative Audio Production & Sound Engineering graduate. My experience at Catalyst was generally positive. It had a culture of friendliness, kindness and helpfulness from the staff, professors and students. The classes are not the typical classes but are more so akin to workshops. You get introduced to a subject, technique or idea and you are very quickly thrown in the deep end to get your hands dirty in experimentation and practice, which I prefer. You get access to studios and a lot of fancy audio gear. One downside I experienced is the limited studio time. I loved working in the big studios but they increasingly over the years kept getting harder to book due to limited availability. What I found to be the most impactful experience was how challenging the projects were. There were no exams, fun fact. Instead of exams, we had big projects that spanned the entirety of each semester with hard milestone deadlines in between. Since these projects span the whole semester, you can begin to imagine the scale of work involved in completing them. The challenge in handling all the projects pushed me to achieve more than I could have imagined. I needed an environment like that. In conclusion, my time at Catalyst was great. Through all the hard work my skills increased exponentially in a short period of time. The staff and teachers are amazing and always ready to help.

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