Research Based Learning at Maastricht University

A Case Study on an Interdisciplinary Project on Europeanisation

The first part of the article gives a general outline of the Research Based Learning (RBL) project which was developed and carried out at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. There are three elements which characterise RBL: the research orientation, in that students learn how to carry out independent research; the interdisciplinary character in that projects that are either run by tutors from different Faculties and/or involve students from different Faculties; and the social relevance in that, where possible, students’ research will have a societal impact. In the second part the authors outline their own experience with RBL and the interdisciplinary project they have been running with third year BA students.