The EMP master thesis

The EMP Master’s thesis assesses the student’s capacity to conduct research on a specific microfinance topic. The thesis is an opportunity for the students to apply theoretical notions acquired in the classroom and broaden their knowledge, skills and experience.

There are two types of thesis:

• The Master’s thesis: which is an academic paper to be defended in front of a jury.
• The Extended Internship Report (EIR) is based on an internship and does also require an oral defense.

Link between EMP master thesis and internship

The two-to-four-month EMP internship is an opportunity and a prospective part of the programme; it takes place between May and August in an institution/organisation related to microfinance activities in a developing/emerging country. The internship enables students to experience the living and working conditions in developing/emerging countries. During internship, the students participate in ongoing work at the host institution. At the same time, they conduct a specific research on the topic of their master’s thesis.

Abstracts of previous EMP theses are available here. For full versions, please contact the EMP coordination office (emp@ulb.be).