University degree and curricular flexibility: the importance of mandatory and non-mandatory activities

Abstract

The principle of curricular flexibility foresees innovations in pedagogical projects, which incorporate, along with the mandatory activities, non-mandatory experiences. Considering the fact that both are essential in the academic development, this study sought to understand, from the students’ perspective, the importance assigned to each of these experiences. The data was obtained from 16 university students enrolled in a public institution of higher education, analyzed qualitatively though interviews. Based on their results, it can be highlighted that the merit of the mandatory experiences is connected with their contents, whereas the optional character is described as a fundamental element in the estimation of the non-mandatory activities. The data suggests the need for integration between the experiences, as opposed to the prominence of one over either group of activities.