Experiential learning is shaped by the challenge-based learning (CBL) methodology, whereby students collaborate with their professors to face real-life challenges and propose workable solutions. The model uses a cross-functional approach that pulls together all of the faculty’s subject areas, thereby encouraging business, law, communication and education students to collaborate across disciplines.
This methodology ensures our students can reap the benefits of a holistic and interdisciplinary education that allows them to develop the key competencies needed in the professional world, including critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, entrepreneurship and verbal communication skills. This method also encourages students to develop their talent as both an individual and as part of a collective.
Students address these challenges via the Challenge Based School as well as Universidad Europea’s close collaboration with over 100 partners ranging from institutions and NGOs to companies. This approach allows students to receive both internal and external evaluation from professors and professionals alike.
A number of clinics and labs are also available to help students explore methods for overcoming challenges. The Law, International Relations and Criminology fields feature the following labs and clinics:
- The Legal Clinic, where students collaborate with professors and law firms on pro bono projects. Students will solve real cases facilitated by organisations such as the Fernando Pombo Foundation, the Pro Bono Spain Foundation, Hazlo Posible, and other municipal social services institutions with which Universidad Europea has collaboration agreements.
- The Moot Centre, which houses the Arbitration Moot and MUN (Model United Nations), where students compete with other universities at a national and international level.
- The Criminalistics Workshop, in which crime scene analysis, document authentication, ballistics and forensic anthropology activities are carried out. The Criminalistics Workshop is also offered in a virtual and immersive format, thanks to a new extended reality programme developed by Universidad Europea’s XR Lab.
- The International Relations Observatory, which is part of the Europea Media laboratory.
- The Consulting Lab, a specialised consultancy where large companies, startups, institutions and NGOs pose interesting challenges. Students work in often multidisciplinary groups to find answers to complex problems, working collaboratively with their professors to develop solutions.
- The Financial Hub, where students will use the innovative data platform and global financial market tool Refinitiv, which offers financial solutions in the areas of trading, investment, advisory, risk and equity. Refinitiv compiles useful content and platforms used by professionals in finance, economics, marketing, accounting, CSR/sustainability, communication, tax and so on.
Besides challenge-based learning, the legal and international relations areas use other approaches including:
- The case method, which allows students to apply theory to practice via cases that deal with real events. Thanks to teamwork with colleagues and the guidance of their professor, students improve their skills and better assimilate their knowledge by seeing theory put into practice.
- Simulation environments powered by software that allow for the recreation of scenarios where the student is immersed in an interactive world of real learning, thereby inputting theoretical concepts into a visual reality. This allows students to test out theories and make mistakes in a safe environment, thereby increasing their confidence while learning for themselves what works and doesn’t. In addition, students develop cross-functional skills such as leadership, decision-making, teamwork and more.
- Project-based learning is a learning strategy where students acquire knowledge and skills by completing a real project. This is usually a group project that is solved by integrating each participant’s unique skill set, immersing students in a similar environment to the one they will find later on in their professional careers. The project is assigned by the professor, but the student is given autonomy when preparing and presenting their project. This approach ensures the student is in charge of their own learning process.
- Cooperative learning is a method that allows students to work together in the classroom to achieve common goals. Students learn in a social environment where they must agree how to solve tasks proposed by their professor.
- Problem-based learning allows students to learn by researching and reflecting on a relevant problem within a professional context. The professors pose a problem, which the student will then investigate. Students will look for an adequate solution and, as a result, will develop critical thinking, decision-making, creativity, and verbal and written communication skills, as well as the best strategies for learning.
This approach will culminate with students completing professional internships at relevant companies in Spain.
