Course overview

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 latest we can receive an 'on time' application (with all associated documentation)is: 6 September 2013 (16 August 2013 for non-EU students). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

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 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 utilised to combat them, as well as their relative effectiveness.

Video: Watch staff and students discuss their experience of this programme

Course content

The available modes of study are

• Full-time by attendance at the University of Portsmouth (1 year full time)
• Part-time by distance learning from any location world-wide (two or three year study schedule)

Units of Study

Core Units

• Countering Fraud and Corruption in the Public and Private Sectors (30 credits)
• Research Methods and Research Management (30 credits)
• International Fraud and Corruption (30 credits)
• 15,000 word Dissertation (60 credits)

30 credits of optional units

• Cybercrime, Security and Risk Management (30 credits)
• Investigation and Psychology (30 credits)
• Policing and Police Reform (30 credits) (campus based only)
• Substance Misuse, Crime and The Criminal Justice System (30 credits) (campus based only)
• Managing Justice and Security Organisations (30 credits) (distance learning only)

Please note that all options are subject to minimum student numbers and may not all be available.

Please note that the course structure may vary from year to year; course content and learning opportunities will not be diminished by this.

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is based upon a range of written assignments including essays, case study, a literature review and research proposal focussed on your chosen project, and finally a 15,000 word dissertation. For each assignment full academic support is provided by an academic subject expert and you will be provided with academic supervisor once you have identified the subject area of your dissertation.

Student support

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.

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.

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.

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.

Students enrol on this award to further develop their professional expertise on counter fraud and corruption counter measures and strategies, or help support a career change or specialisation in this direction. Our students include those from the UK, Europe, and the Middle East that are employed in the private and public sector either working in the field of counter and/or corruption or some related discipline. The students that have completed the MSc have found it worthwhile and useful for promotion.  

Facilities and features

Academic Skills Development

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

The library

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.

• Library Information Literacy
• Library services for distance learning students
• Criminology subject resources

Further support

Other key support services include:

• 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