About the Teaching Format
interdisciplinary RUBSchools offer a cross-over learning experience bringing together Bachelor’s and Master’s students from all disciplines. They take place exclusively during the lecture-free period as Summer or Winter Schools and offer a flexible credit allocation to facilitate recognition across different degree programs.
RUB instructors interested in designing and running an interdisciplinary RUB School can apply for funding.
Special Feature: Interdisciplinarity
The interdisciplinary RUBSchools are a truly unique learning experience. Students collaborate closely with peers from other disciplines — often in project teams working on self-chosen research questions or future challlenges adressing the sociatal, political or entrepreneurial praxis. They also engage with instructors from different academic backgrounds and gain insights into diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives. Ideally, this results in a problem-solving collaboration where all participants contribute their expertise to shared ideas and outcomes.
Keep Open Minded
The RUB Schools address current topics of scientific and societal relevance. They are intentionally open to multiple disciplines, tackling questions and phenomena that cannot be fully explored within the boundaries of a single field. That’s why it’s so important for students from a wide range of academic backgrounds to come together—learning how to build a shared understanding of complex problems through interdisciplinary dialogue.
Lecture Period vs. RUBSchool
Lecture time is for your major. To make cross-disciplinary collaboration possible, RUB Schools occupy their own time slot: they are designed as intensive 5- to 10-day block courses held during the semester break. A preceding self-study phase ensures that all participants start the block week with a shared level of understanding and a solid grasp of the topic. It starts with a preparatory meeting to clarify key details such as structure, workload, and organizational matters.
About the Credits
Each RUBSchool defines its own credit package allowing recognition in as many study programs as possible. Bachelor’s students typically earn 5 ECTS through the Optional Studies Area. For Master’s students, credit transfer depends on their faculty’s regulations, so flexible options make participation easier. Typically, 3 ECTS involve active participation and an oral presentation (graded or ungraded). For 5 or more ECTS, an additional graded written assignment is required adapted in scope and content to the number of credits.