Experiential Learning : Does Project-Based Learning Enhance Students' Professional Competencies?

This study aims to deepen the understanding of the process of professionalisation in the academic field and to understand the effects of project­based learning on students' self-assessment competencies. Our analysis focuses on a project­based learning program offering students the possibility to work on real projects (professional and semi-professional situations) linked to socio-economic partners. The corpus of data consists of the analysis of the competencies needed to accomplish the project and of students' self-assessment outputs (reflective texts) submitted at the end of the program. Overall, our study shows that the markers of a professionalisation process is predominant among students who declare to have developed project management and leadership skills. Additionally, results show that students' resilience in front of their difficulties is present in their self­assessment texts. [Publisher's text].