Course overview

The BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies is a unique course open to those working within the counter fraud profession and those interested in pursuing such a career in the future, as well as being of interest to students who are simply keen to learn about counter fraud and other criminal justice issues. It attempts to expand your knowledge, enhance your key skills and improve your professional effectiveness and career prospects.

Whilst studying this exciting and engaging course you will encounter various fields such as law, sociology and psychology which have contributed to making criminology, crime and justice a multi-disciplinary subject. You will encounter issues, debates and arguments that regularly occupy people’s concerns and that of the media and politicians with regard to social problems associated with crime, control and punishment.

The course is offered part time by distance learning from the UK’s largest provider of courses in criminology, criminal justice and police studies. You are able to study the course flexibly in your own time and own home with the support of interactive online learning materials. Additionally you are able to take advantage of tutorial support which is provided online as well as through email and telephone.

Find out why our degree in counter fraud and criminal justice studies is the ideal opportunity to combine work and study that will boost your career prospects - watch our video here.

Current students come from a wide range of backgrounds in both the public and private sector counter fraud community. These include specialists from the Department for Work and Pensions; NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service; HM Customs and Excise; Inland Revenue; Child Support Agency; local authorities; and the Abbey Group. Students entering the course with the awards of ACFO, ACFS or ACFM are also entitled, on successful completion of the Advanced Level, to the award of Certified Counter Fraud Specialist (CCFS). For more information on the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board, please see our departmental pages.

The overall purpose of this course is to provide a qualification for those involved in the detection, investigation or prevention of fraud, or those interested in learning about countering fraud, that expands their knowledge, enhances key skills and improves their professional effectiveness and career prospects. The course has been developed in partnership with the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board (CFPAB), Department for Work and Pensions and NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service.

Please note:

• Completion of the first year (or equivalent) entitles you to exit with a Certificate of Higher Education.
• Completion of the first two years (or equivalent) entitles you to exit with a Diploma in Higher Education.
• You must complete the third year to exit with a BSc Honours Degree.
• Upon completion of the BSc you will be eligible to apply to enter the MSc.

As our course materials are delivered online, being able to access the internet (either at home, work or through public facilities) is essential for the successful completion of this degree.

How much does the course cost, what funding options are available and how can I pay for the course?

The course fees page offers full information about:

• how much the course currently costs
• payment options
• funding and loans that are available

How do I apply?

Complete a University application form – not a UCAS form – by going to our How to apply page.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Many of our applicants face the same concerns about embarking on a distance learning course - is it the right degree for me? Can I use my prior learning? You will find the answers you need in our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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). Applications received after this date may be processed, but your course induction and start to studies may well be disrupted.

Course content

If you take this course you will be able to study at your own speed (subject to completing a minimum number of credits per year), in your own home, whilst remaining in employment, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time degree. If you are anxious about university-level study note how the course supports you with units in ‘Studying Criminology’ and in research methods before you have to write your dissertation.  As distance learning can be lonely you will be invited (but not required) to attend two annual events for distance learning students. The first is a two-day induction and re-induction event in September  and the second is a Study Conference in late January. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other students who you have worked with and to sample more traditional forms of learning such as lectures and tutorials.

This course is divided into three 120-credit stages, each equivalent to a year of full-time study.  It is kept under constant review; new units are added, others updated, amended and withdrawn, as appropriate. The current structure is as follows:

Stage one

(All compulsory, with credit values attached)

• Advanced Standing (ACF/S/M) or equivalent (40) OR Introduction to Criminal Law and Legal Studies (20) and Introduction to Criminal Justice (20)
• Introduction to Counter Fraud Studies (20)
• Understanding Criminology (20)
• Introduction to Research Skills (20)
• Studying Criminology (20)

Stage two

(All 20 credits except Police, Law and Community, which is 40; c = compulsory and o = optional)

• The Fraud Problem (c)
• Anti-Fraud Strategies (c)
• Issues in Criminal Justice (c)
• Research Methods (c)
• Project Management (o)
• Issues in Criminology (o)
• Investigation, Psychology and Law (o)
• Workplace Violence (o)
• Hate Crime (o)
• Substance Misuse and Mental Health (o)
• Policing Styles and Principles (o)
• Crime, Disorder and Justice (o)
• Youth Crime, Youth Justice (o)
• Police, Law and Community (o)

Stage three

(All 20 credits except dissertation which is 40; c = compulsory and o = optional)

• Fraud: Legal Structures and Investigations (c)
• Fraud: Enforcing the Law (c)
• Dissertation (c)
• Internet Risk and Security (o)
• Private Policing and Punishment (o)
• Interviewing and Evidence (o)
• Gambling and Crime: Fact, Fiction and Recreation (o)
• Dangerousness and Dangerous Offenders (o)
• Criminal Justice and Minority Groups (o)
• Organised Crime (o)
• Victimology and Victimisation (o)
• Corporate Security (o)

Students with ACFS are entitled, on completion of the full degree, to the award of Graduate Counter Fraud Officer, conferred by the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board.

Accreditation of prior learning

You may already have acquired, through formal courses or work experience, relevant knowledge and qualifications. We can recognise these, rather than expect you to repeat work for which you have already demonstrated competence. Within certain limits we are able to award credit which would reduce the total number you require to obtain your award. In this way it is possible to obtain your qualification in a shorter period. Read more about accreditation of prior learning at ICJS' departmental pages.

Students who enter the course with ACFO, ACFS or ACFM are entitled to the award of Certified Counter Fraud Specialist (CCFS) on completion of the first year. You can choose to leave the course early and you may be eligible for a Diploma or Certificate, or on completion of your full degree, you can apply to join one of our postgraduate courses (listed on our website).

Teaching and assessment

The BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies is delivered by supported distance learning and the Institute has extensive experience in the design, delivery and support of such programmes. You will receive high quality course materials to guide you through each unit of study. We also use the Moodle online learning environment, which will enable you to access course materials and communicate with the tutors and other students. You will receive induction material at the beginning of the course, which will guide you through the use of Moodleand registering and accessing the distance learning facilities offered by the University Library.

All the units in this course are assessed by means of essays, except for the Police, Law and Community unit, where an exam is set. Essay titles are provided at the beginning of the academic year. Unit materials often contain interactive exercises to encourage you to think about the issues being discussed. Often these will invite you to write something before continuing with the course materials. These, and other devices, are designed to test and encourage your learning.

The Institute has a policy on feedback. This is designed to ensure that you receive comments, on your assessed essays, which indicate what you need to do to obtain better marks in your next essay. The feedback will also provide you with the criteria against which your essay was marked. The marks obtained in the first year do not count towards the classification of the BSc honours degree. Thus you will have some time to hone your essay writing skills.

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.

Your study will lead to a broad range of academic skills that are valuable in many professions both in and beyond the criminal justice sector. The sorts of occupational areas that would be relevant to this degree would be those linked to counter fraud (public and private sector), law enforcement such as police, customs and excise, crime prevention and community safety.
The University’s Careers Service can also offer advice for those seeking new employment challenges.

You also have the opportunity to choose an option called Police, Law and Community (PLC). This unit covers part of the syllabus of national framework for Initial Police Training. Dealing with the 'knowledge' elements of Initial Training it covers police and criminal law, police powers and police procedures. A number of police forces in the South of England (and in the future probably more elsewhere) now recognise PLC as a 'pre-join' qualification for those wishing to join the police service. Successful completion of PLC can be used as a basis of application to become a police officer (note: forces normally require a minimum performance level in examinations).

This unit is assessed by way of a portfolio and an examination which will be held in Portsmouth and possibly other locations. Availability to attend and travel to the venue will be required.
PLC is a Unit which would be of interest to anyone interested in or working within criminal justice.

Completion of the BSc degree will get you admission to an MSc degree. Having undertaken a major research project for your dissertation, you might also be interested in undertaking a research degree.

Facilities and features

Facilities and features available to Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies students include:

• up-to-date research-based course materials
• access to the University’s library catalogue and library services
• clear and professionally presented information and debate
• detailed guidance on study skills, research methods, research project management, and essay writing skills
• professional administrative support
• access to dedicated tutor support, by phone, letter or email
• access to University’s web course tools (Moodle) service

Moodle is an internet-based electronic learning environment. It will:

• give you access to extra learning resources
• enable you to access to the University’s library catalogue and many other services, such as support in developing learning skills
• provide you with direct access to a wide range of journals i.e. you will be able to download relevant articles and materials to your computer, to read in your own home
• enable you to communicate with fellow students and build a learning community
• allow you to take part in on-line discussions with tutors and lecturers
• enable you to post information about yourself, and start and engage in discussion

Additionally, the University Library offers a tailored service to distance learners including:

• access to a range of electronic books (over 47,000 titles) and journals (17,000 titles)
• access to local UK academic libraries via SCONUL access scheme
• delivery of book chapters and articles from hard copy in stock at no cost
• loan of books by post in the UK for return postage
• help and advice in locating and using information sources from an online advice service in your Virtual Learning Environment
• telephone helpline staffed 8.30am–8.45pm weekdays and 10am–4pm at weekends during term-time
• lectures and hands-on sessions in using University resources at induction days and study schools

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).