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The University of Maastricht, the University of Warwick, University College Dublin, the Universität Mannheim, Central European University, the Université de Toulouse 1, and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra have expressed their intention to intensify their cooperation in teaching and research in various disciplines, as well as their cooperation at an institutional level.

The intention to intensify cooperation between these universities resulted in the founding of a consortium of European Universities, Groupe Maastricht, on 23 March 2005. Institutions of higher education are increasingly operating on an international, competitive market. Both in the areas of teaching and research they face issues that exceed national borders. The international mobility of students and staff, in particular research staff, is increasing rapidly, whereas teaching and research in general are in a process of internationalisation as well. Working together with several universities makes each position stronger on the international higher education market and the results of working together are attractive to international students and researchers.

Ambitions
By working together within the consortium, the partners would like to:
• establish excellence in research and education by promoting quality;
• create interesting opportunities for students of consortium partners for exchange within the network;
• create interesting opportunities for researchers of consortium partners for research projects;
• establish joint programmes in education and research;
• improve the position for EU funding;
• benchmark organisational concepts and management structures;
• identify best practices for extended (international) cooperation.

Groups
The consortium focuses on several disciplines which are classified in working groups, namely:
• Law
• Economics and Business
• Health and Medicine
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Strategy and Administrative

Common objectives have been discussed within these groups. Possibilities of collaboration between the partners have been explored and have already resulted in collaboration on joint education programmes and research projects. Approaching themes per discipline has proven effective and will be continued.