How can international, multi- disciplinary undergraduate education foster transformational competencies for ready and able graduates.

Project summary

This research project investigates how informal learning can be systematically identified, captured, and evaluated within the undergraduate blended intensive program (BIP) at five European universities. The program brings together students from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds and is currently assessed through a single formal group report. While this assessment evaluates academic output, it does not adequately reflect the wider range of skills and personal development that students gain through participation—such as leadership, intercultural communication, collaboration, and increased confidence. The aim of the project is to develop a structured method for recognising and assessing the informal learning that occurs within the BIP. The specific objectives are to explore how students articulate their learning experiences, identify informal competencies that emerge through cross-cultural collaboration, and propose evaluative tools that can complement existing assessment practices. Ultimately, the project seeks to contribute to improved pedagogical design and more holistic evaluation processes within internationalised higher education learning environments.