TA5 Development Economics

12.2.2026 - 31.7.2026

5 cr

Face-to-face

Intermediate studies

The course covers the key topics in microfinance and is organised in four major parts. The first part of the course will cover issues important for understanding different microfinance markets. The second part of the course will assess financial and social performance of microfinance institutions. Student will apply tools used in practice by analysts or microfinance managers. In the third part, policies to build inclusive financial systems will be examined. Topics in this part include financial sector policies in general and microfinance regulation and supervision in particular. In the fourth part, we will cover the financing issues and commercialization of microfinance. Particular emphasis will be given to microfinance mission drift, market saturation and competition as well as over-indebtedness and repayment crises in different microfinance markets.

Additional information

TA5 Development Economics, . period

How will you study

Additional information and registration

Price and registration period

Check on the university's website

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Additional information:

Dates

12.2.2026 - 31.7.2026

Fields

Social sciences

Scope

5 cr

2 components

Code

ECOK-278

What you will learn

After completing the course students should be able to understand the main features of microfinance and how it works if credit markets fail. Students should be able to analyse theoretical perspectives and debates on microfinance to practice and policy situations, evaluate the impacts of microfinance and identify the implications of commercialisation and mission drift in microfinance. Students will also gain the skills required for completing other courses in economics in general and development economics in particular.

Learning material

Additional information

Completion methods

The course will be offered in the form of (voluntary) contact teaching.

Assessment practices and criteria

The grade for the course is based on a final examination (50%), essay/term paper (30%) and presentation (20%).

Target group

The bachelor's program in economics is responsible for the course. The course is part of the intermediate studies in the programme. Students in other degree programs can also complete the course and it can be included in the study module ECOK-300 (Economics study module).

Timing

The course can be completed at any stage of the studies. The course is not taught every academic year.

Study module

Code: ECOK-500

Name: Economics, Study Module

Module requirements: optional

Teaching language

English

EQF level 6

Organiser

Helsingin yliopisto

Contact details

avoin-student@helsinki.fi

Belongs to themes:

Society and interaction