I. Application Deadline

ARES-CCD deadline for submission for the 2025-26 academic year: 

18th October 2024 at 12pm

1st EMP submission deadline : 14 January 2025

II. Admission requirements

Candidates applying for the EMP via the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Master de spécialisation en Microfinance), should read the General information document (updated for 2025-26).

All candidates must fullfil the following requirements:

Academic degree

  • To have a Master’s degree (or « Licence ») issued by a Belgian University
    OR
  • To have a Master’s degree (second cycle diploma)

Diploma should have been obtained at recognized academic institutions in the disciplines of development cooperation, economics, agronomy, management or finance. Exceptionally, other qualifications may be accepted. Good academic grades, relevant professional experience and field experience in developing countries are highly valued.

If you do not have a second cycle diploma, the jury may value relevant professional experience in the field. If you wish to value relevant professional experience, please note that you will be asked to provide relevant employer certificates in the admission procedure.

You can find more information about access conditions here.

English language proficiency

As the EMP is taught in English, candidates must prove their spoken and written command of English. Qualifications accepted as evidence of English proficiency are:

  • Native speakers
    (USA, UK, AUS, NZL, IRL, CAN (Engl)): no proof needed
  • Applicants from anglophone countries
    Candidates having completed their studies in English must provide a confirmation by their University.
  • All other candidates:

If candidates from developing countries fulfill all admission requirements but can only provide a B1 English level (according to the CEFR), the EMP Jury will take these applications into account.

If a candidate is not able to provide any official language proof:

In this case the EMP Jury asks the candidate to complete the online DIALANG test, available on the website of Lancaster University: https://dialangweb.lancaster.ac.uk/.

The results obtained by the candidate must be mentioned in the EMP Application Form 2025-26, section II. Otherwise, the application cannot be taken into account.

III. Admission Process

Step 1
Submit EMP Application Form 2025-26

All candidates must introduce an EMP Application form.

Please note that your answers must be personal/original without the use of any artificial intelligence. If there is any suspicion, your application will not be taken into account. Don’t forget to clearly exemplify your answers.



Two possibilities :

Fill out the ONLINE application form

The online form is available here.

Inscription

Step 1 of 6

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Gender
Max. file size: 128 MB.
Max. file size: 128 MB.
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 128 MB.

    and upload scans of the required documents directly onto the website

    • No need for any software other than your web browser
    • No information loss: start filling in now, save online, and continue/make changes later
    • Upload required documents (scans) as you go
    • Confirm the final submission when you are ready (within the deadlines)

    Download and fill the EMP Application Form – 2025-26

    Application Form 2025-26 (DOC)

    THEN (for Word applications)

    Attach copies of all your diplomas and transcript of records.
    Attach a copy of your language certificate / proof of English skills.
    Attach a copy of your ID or passport.
    Attach any recommendation letters, or work certificates or confirmations to complete your application.

    Applications are to be sent by email to emp@ulb.be 

    STEP 2
    EMP Selection Meeting

    The EMP Jury will pre-examine all candidates’s applications during a Selection Meeting. The results of this meeting will be communicated shortly after.

    If a candidate has been pre-selected by the EMP Jury, the candidate will be asked to continue the application process with STEP 3 (Submission of the official ULB Admission Request to the ULB Admission Service, see below).

    Important: the final submission to the European Microfinance Programme is subject to:

    • the verification of the candidate’s ULB Admission Request by the Admission Services of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (STEP 3, see below).
    • the agreement of the government’s delegate.

    STEP 3
    Submit ULB Admission Request online

    Candidates, who have been pre-selected by the EMP Jury, will receive an e-mail by the EMP Coordination with instructions how to proceed with introducing an online ULB Admission Request.

    The ULB Admission Service will communicate its final decision to the candidate by e-mail and by post-mail. Only if you have received an official « Admission Letter » from the ULB Admission Service, you are entitled to register for the European Microfinance Programme 2025-26.

    IV. Fees & financial assistance

     Registration Fees

    The ULB registration fees for the academic year 2024-25 was +/-€ 835 for European citizens and citizens of selected developing countries (The fee for 2025-2026 may be different. More information soon). The fees for other nationalities are subject to ULB policies and can be inquired directly at the ULB Registration Department.

    Students registered in one of the participating universities (Université Libre de Bruxelles, UMons or Université Paris-Dauphine) will have access to the programme at the respective fees set by each of these institutions. Taking part in the EMP does not automatically grant any financial support. Any request for scholarships must be introduced to the home university, according to its internal rules.

    Please be aware that the internship on the field is an opportunity, as part of the programme, and that the EMP does not provide any financial support for the expenses related to that internship. However, students have the possibility to look for grants and financial support from foundations, associations, etc.

     Scholarships of the Commission de la Coopération au développement (CCD)

    Each year, 10 full scholarships are awarded to EMP candidates coming from selected developing countries. These scholarships cover the tuition fees, some basic living expenses in Brussels and one return plane ticket. For further information contact the coordinator (emp@ulb.be) or visit the CCD website www.ares-ac.be/en/cooperation-au-developpement/scholarships/masters-and-training-programmes-in-belgium.  

     General information on financial assistance