BSc (Hons)
Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies
Full tutorial support as you study at your own pace
Course Overview
Why take this course?
The overall purpose of this course is to provide a qualification for those involved or interested in the detection, investigation or prevention of fraud. It has been developed in partnership with the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board, Department for Work and Pensions, and NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service, with the aim of expanding your knowledge, enhancing your key skills and improving your professional effectiveness and prospects.
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.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Encounter and explore the issues, debates and arguments associated with crime, control and punishment
- Follow the course in your own time and own home with the support of interactive online learning materials
- Gain credit for any relevant prior learning and experience you have done
What opportunities might it lead to?
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).
How do I apply?
Complete the University's online application form (not a UCAS form)
The course enables the studying of areas of interest to you which has definitely benefited me professionally in that I can apply what I have learnt to my everyday work.
Deborah Parboo, BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 4.5 years part time
- Entry
Individual applications are assessed based on their experience and educational background. Applicants holding ACFS/ACFM or CFPAB will be eligible for accreditation points towards the degree. Direct entry to Level 3 is also possible with a relevant Foundation degree.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands/Isle of Man and International students Year 1 £3,000 and £3,000 plus inflation in subsequent years. Fee Year 5 £1,500.
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- icjsapplications@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 3928 - Department
- Institute of Criminal Justice Studies
Course:
BSc (Hons) Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies
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.
Structure & Teaching
Year one
- EITHER Advanced Standing (ACF/S/M) or equivalent
OR Introduction to Criminal Law and Legal Studies AND Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Introduction to Counter Fraud Studies
- Understanding Criminology
- Introduction to Research Skills
- Studying Criminology
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.
Year two
- The Fraud Problem
- Anti-Fraud Strategies
- Issues in Criminal Justice
- Research Methods
Options from:
- Project Management
- Issues in Criminology
- Investigation, Psychology and Law
- Workplace Violence
- Hate Crime
- Substance Misuse and Mental Health
- Policing Styles and Principles
- Crime, Disorder and Justice
- Youth Crime, Youth Justice
- Police, Law and Community
Year three
- Fraud: Legal Structures and Investigations
- Fraud: Enforcing the Law
- Dissertation
Options from:
- Internet Risk and Security
- Private Policing and Punishment
- Interviewing and Evidence
- Gambling and Crime: Fact, Fiction and Recreation
- Dangerousness and Dangerous Offenders
- Criminal Justice and Minority Groups
- Organised Crime
- Victimology and Victimisation
- Corporate Security
Teaching and Assessment
This is a part-time course delivered by supported distance learning. You will receive high-quality course materials through our online learning environment, which will also enable you to communicate with your tutors and other students on the course, as well as discuss and present your work. Induction material received at the beginning of the course will introduce you our online learning environment and the distance learning facilities offered by the University Library.
You will be invited to two annual events in Portsmouth: a two-day induction each September and a study conference each January. These allow you to meet staff and other students, as well as sample more traditional forms of learning, such as lectures and tutorials.
How are you assessed?
All units are assessed by 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 and write about the issues being discussed, to test and encourage your learning.
You will receive feedback on your assessed essays, which will indicate what you need to do to obtain better marks in your next essay, alongside the criteria against which your essay was marked. As marks obtained in the first year do not count towards the classification of the degree, you will have time to hone your essay writing skills.
Tutor's view
Dr Andrea Shawyer
Counter Fraud and Criminal Justice Studies
This is an excellent degree for anyone interested in all aspects of countering fraud. With specialist staff plus the Centre for Counter Fraud Studies within our department, you will have access to top-quality materials and research. We have a range of students from diverse working backgrounds, and are well equipped to cater for the specific requirements of distance learning students.
Facilities & Features
ICJS
One of the UK's leading centres for research and course provision in criminology, criminal justice and police studies
Professional Links
Links with the criminal justice sector: local, national and international
Distance Learning
Pioneering distance learning programmes for professionals
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
ICJS
The Institute of Criminal Justice Studies was founded in 1992 and has since grown to comprise 50 academic staff and more than 1,800 students. Now an internationally-renowned focal point for the study of crime and criminal justice processes, it draws together expertise in criminological analysis, applied psychology, police governance and management, victimology, penology, risk and security.
Professional Links
Our extensive experience and close professional relationships with the police service and criminal justice agencies ensure that our courses reflect the changing needs of the profession. You may benefit from these links by hearing guest speakers, listening to leading-edge research and being helped to find professional work placements.
Distance Learning
Our distinctive approach to supported distance learning, robust procedures for the accreditation of prior learning and modular award framework not only help facilitate access to higher education but also offer flexible and transferable platforms for life-long learning.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
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 PLC option may support entry to a police career. Alternatively you could enter occupations in counter fraud (public and private sector), law enforcement such as customs and excise, crime prevention and community safety.
This degree will also prepare you for an Master's degree. Having undertaken a major research project for your dissertation, you might also be interested in undertaking a research degree.
Career planning
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.