In this article, we try to answer a few critical questions: Why is developing the competences of learners so important and why should teaching, learning and assessment be grounded in a competence-based approach? How was such a curriculum based on transversal competences implemented at the West University of Timisoara (Romania)? In a dynamic and problem-based society, education systems focus more and more on helping learners develop a wide variety of competences to cope with our complex world.

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... a European level, different frameworks of competences were established which are meant to be developed in higher education. In relation to these competences, specialists invoke transversal competences, skills for life, such as: critical thinking, creativity, taking the initiative, problem solving, risk assessment, decision taking, constructive emotional management, cooperation and/or working in a team. From the 2014-2015 academic year onwards, the West University of Timisoara has implemented a system which allows students to choose three subjects from different specializations in order to develop transversal competences. In this paper, we analyze the way of implementation, elements of the course syllabus correlated with transversal competences and the skills developed through those subjects since its inception.