Program Overview

Specialized Master in Microfinance

The Specialized Master in Microfinance is a one-year program (60 credits) organized by the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management and the Université de Mons. The program is designed to train microfinance professionals from both the North and the South and contribute to the strengthening of microfinance institutions worldwide.

Programme Objectives

The European Microfinance Programme (EMP) was launched in 2005 in response to a growing demand for training in development activities, particularly in microfinance. The purpose of the program is to train microfinance professionals and contribute to the strengthening of microfinance institutions worldwide in accordance with the highest international standards.

Teaching Team and Methods

The program combines solid theoretical foundations, practical knowledge, and on-field internship. Professors from three European universities in Belgium (ULB-UMONS) and France (Université Paris Dauphine) provide a solid theoretical foundation. Practitioners from the four non-governmental partner organizations ADA, BRS, CERISE, and SOS Faim give insights into the latest techniques used by international microfinance institutions.

International/Openness

The EMP is a particularly international Master, gathering students from 20 to 30 different countries. Around 50% of the students come from Southern countries. The program provides students with a broad overview of the field of microfinance, followed by a compulsory internship in a microfinance institution in a developing country.

Programme's Added Value

The microfinance sector is developing at a rapid pace, creating a growing demand for experienced professionals within microfinance and credit institutions, banks, and development investment funds in Europe and abroad. The European Microfinance Programme is the first microfinance education program with a European scope and perspective.

Schedule

The program lasts one year (60 credits) and is spread over three periods:

• 1st period (September-January): Introductory studies
• 2nd period (February-April): Specialization
• 3rd period (May-August): Internship and Master thesis

Access Conditions

Admission to the program requires a Master's degree in one of the following disciplines: development cooperation, economics, agronomy, management, or finance. Field experience in developing countries is desirable. Good academic grades, relevant professional experience, and field experience in developing countries are highly valued. As the EMP is taught in English, candidates must prove their spoken and written command of English.

Courses

The program includes the following courses:

• Contextual issues in social finance
• Management of social finance institutions
• Topics in Financial inclusion & Microfinance
• Financial management in social finance
• Social banking
• Assessment of Social Finance
• Digital Finance
• Financial inclusion
• Master thesis
• Internship

Prospects

Career prospects for graduates of the European Microfinance Programme include:

• NGOs working in Microfinance
• International organizations
• MFI rating agencies
• Investment funds
• Scientific research

Programme Details

• Degree type: Advanced master
• Theoretical program duration: 1 year
• Learning language: English
• Schedule type: Evenings and weekends
• Campus: Solbosch
• Category/Topic: Human and social sciences - Economics and business management
• Organizing faculty and university: Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Université de Mons