Course overview

UK/EU Applicants must submit full applications by: 9am Friday 7th September 2012
Non-EU Applicants must submit full applications by: 9am Friday 27th July 2012

All applicants should apply as soon as possible to reserve a place and ensure adequate preparations are made for the start of your studies. The above date and time is the latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation).

There is a growing professionalisation agenda in many public and private sector organisations to counter fraud and corruption. Part of this agenda has encouraged the investment in staff in training and education. This potgraduate programme has been specifically designed in consultation with the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service to meet the needs of these staff to provide a challenging programme of study that enhances the knowledge and skills of counter fraud and counter corruption staff. The course provides the latest research and knowledge on the extent and nature of fraud and corruption in a diverse range of locations and the strategies that are been utilised to combat them, as well as there relative effectiveness.

This course has been designed for:

• Graduates of the Institute's BSc (Hons) in Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies.
• Accredited counter fraud specialists with a good honours degree.
• Investigative and policing personnel with a role in counter fraud and counter corruption holding a good honours degree.
• Policy-makers with a responsibility for counter fraud and counter corruption with a good honours degree.

Course content

This part-time distance learning degree can be studied over two or three years. It has been specifically designed in consultation with the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service to meet the needs of counter fraud and corruption staff and to provide a challenging programme of study that enhances the knowledge and skills of these workers. The course provides the latest research and knowledge on the extent and nature of fraud and corruption in a diverse range of locations and the strategies that are being utilised to combat them, as well as their relative effectiveness. This course has been designed for graduates of the Institute’s BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies, accredited counter fraud specialists with a good honours degree, investigative and policing personnel with a role in counter fraud and counter corruption holding a good honours degree, and policy-makers and practitioners with a responsibility for counter fraud and counter corruption with a good honours degree.

Core Units

Postgraduate Information Literacy and Academic Skills (PILAS) (non-credit rated)

A Study Skills open learning package is provided to all students to support and develop academic and information skills (e.g. where previous degree level work was completed some time ago or prior to contemporary online technological development). ICJS run a Postgraduate Information Literacy and Academic Skills development course unit (not formally assessed) at the start of the first period of study (this is online for distance learning students), comprising a number of formative exercises with peer and tutor feedback. Thereafter, general support is available upon request from the (central) Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

The Politics of Fraud and Corruption (15 credits)

This unit looks at the development of fraud and corruption since the 1300s in the UK. Special attention is paid to the media, political views and corruption within the police. Topics covered are targeted at those who are seeking to equip themselves with the knowledge that will meet the demands of a changing counter fraud and corruption environment following the Government’s Fraud Review, changes in legislation following the introduction of the Fraud Act 2006 and the review of corruption legislation.

International Fraud and Corruption (15 credits)

This unit provides an insight into the strategies, structures and actions taken to counter fraud and corruption in international organisations such as the EU. Topics covered are pitched at those who are seeking to equip themselves with the knowledge that will meet the demands of a changing counter fraud and corruption environment, which is increasingly of a cross border nature.

Countering Private Sector Fraud and Corruption (15 credits)

This unit provides a practical view of the strategies, structures and actions taken to counter fraud and corruption in the UK, focusing on three industries: banking, insurance and pharmaceuticals. There is also some inclusion of non-UK private sector where appropriate, for example USA legislation such as Sarbanes-Oxley. Topics covered are targeted at those who are seeking to equip themselves with the knowledge that will meet the demands of a changing counter fraud and corruption environment following the UK Government’s Fraud Review, changes in legislation following the introduction of the UK’s Fraud Act 2006 and the review of corruption legislation.

Countering Public Sector Fraud and Corruption (15 credits)

This unit provides a practical application of the strategies, structures and actions taken to counter fraud and corruption in the UK public sector, although there is some inclusion of non-UK public sector where appropriate. The topics covered are targeted at graduates and professionals in the public and private sector who are working to counter fraud or corruption and who are seeking to equip themselves with a critical knowledge base that will meet the demands of a changing counter fraud and corruption environment following the UK Government’s Fraud Review, changes in legislation following the introduction of the UK’s Fraud Act 2006 and the review of corruption legislation.

Optional Units (students select a total of 30 credits of options)

Offender Profiling (15 credits)

An offender profiler aims to make predictions of the most probable characteristics that an offender is likely to possess. This unit will review the three schools of thought, which approach offender profiling from different perspectives: the clinical approach, the profiling programme (that has been developed at the US Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the statistical approach to offender profiling. It will also review research findings concerning offender profiling mainly from the US and the UK and critically examine the use of offender profiling in police investigations.

Interviewing and Testimony (15 credits)

You will address the role that psychology, both theory and research, has had in influencing the criminal justice system. The first section concerns an historical overview of interviewing development, primarily within the police service, but also examines interviewing as a social skill. The second section examines three areas where psychology has had a major impact on criminal justice – identification evidence, the evaluation of the veracity of a person’s statement and the recovered memory debate.

Managing Justice and Security Organisations (15 credits)

You will consider the challenge, knowledge, dilemmas and business skills of organisational and resource management in the rapidly changing police and security environment through a critical appreciation of relevant management schools of thought (theory and practice). You will then develop a critical appreciation of the application of relevant theories and techniques such as management theory, financial planning, HRM, resource management and performance management. The decision-making, planning and problem-solving process is also considered in the context of effective change management in the police and security environment.

Core Research-based Units

Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits)

Research methods in this field are very wide, for example, complex statistical modelling and analysis, surveys to establish self reported offending and victimisation, in-depth interviews, ethnographies, as well as various forms of content, narrative and documentary analysis. This unit gives you an overview of many of the possibilities, as well as directions on where to look for more information and ideas about particular techniques, approaches and issues. You will look at literature reviews, the methodology behind systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

Dissertation (60 credits)

This final substantial unit enables students to demonstrate their achievement on the course as a whole via the conduct of a small-scale 15,000-word research project culminating in an academic dissertation. To do so students demonstrate their grasp of research design, methods and ethics, as well as their personal organisation and planning in the conduct of their criminal justice research based project. Dissertation topics are identified by students – taking onto account academic advice and guidance and may be within the broad criminal justice field (within the broad parameters of the expertise of the Institute’s academic staff) and may be literature based or involve the conduct of ethical empirical research.

Please note that this information is correct at this date, but is subject to change and review prior to the course start

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is based upon a range of written assignments including essays, research proposal, literature review, case study and a 15,000 word dissertation.

Written formative feedback is provided on all assignments to assist improvement of student performance and further academic development in line with the ICJS Marking Protocol. In the first period of study, the unit assessment pattern will ensure early feedback and assessment is provided so that remedial action can be acted upon in a timely fashion. For the dissertation proposal a two-page summary can be submitted for advance formative feedback. Mechanisms for peer support will be facilitated via the Postgraduate Online Learning Centre (see below) and all students have access to local technical support at the University of Portsmouth (IS Service Desk).

Career prospects

Given the broad range of issues considered and the skills acquired throughout the degree programme, our students graduate with a portfolio of knowledge and abilities that supports a diverse range of career development opportunities in this field.

Facilities and features

Student Support

The course is managed by a Course Leader and an extensive induction programme introduces the student to the University and their course. Student course and unit handbooks provide information about the course structure and University regulations, etc.

The University of Portsmouth has consistently been awarded an excellent rating for student support and guidance in a number of Quality Assurance Agency inspections.

Personal Tutoring

All ICJS distance learning students are supported in the initial stages by the extended Induction Programme (online and face-to-face). Immediately following induction, an ‘engagement officer’ proactively ensures any issues are resolved rapidly, and thereafter personal support is provided by their Course Leader for the duration of their studies.

Academic support will be delivered by the relevant academic Unit Coordinators and the Course Leader. This will take the form of online, telephone and email. All students have access to the formal and informal support areas of the course discussions areas (Graduate Common Room, etc.) and student peer support and Library support services in specific discussion rooms.

All ICJS campus-based students will be assigned a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance, and have access to wider University support services including careers, financial advice, housing, counselling etc. via a dedicated Student Services Centre.

Campus-based international students who speak English as an additional language will be placed within an appropriate English for Academic Purposes (EAP) class and progress will be monitored by their Personal Tutor. The University of Portsmouth values the cultural diversity of our student population and provides additional English language support and cultural events. The details of dedicated support services for International Students are available at www.port.ac.uk/international/.

Relevant Unit Coordinators will also act proactively, for example in contacting those students whose performance appears to indicate that they would benefit from study support, and will follow up with direct contact to any student non-submission. A marker referral system is also in place to identify specific academic skills gaps and their resolution via additional skills support.

Online Library and Study Resources

The University has excellent library facilities including extensive electronic library services available on and off-campus. The Library is renowned for its high quality, responsive and customised support to students studying at a distance, or seeking to research criminal justice projects at a distance. A range of library services for distance learning students are provided to supplement the broad range of online academic resources (e-journals and e-books, etc.) available to all. Other key support services include:

• Library Information Literacy
• Academic Skills Unit
• Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre



Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption Studies are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
Tel: +44 (023) 9284 5284
Email: graham.brooks@port.ac.uk