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Overview
Start your career in countering economic crime, or if you're already working in the field and want to aim for higher level roles, get the knowledge and skills you need on this MSc Economic Crime degree course. Choose to study full-time or part-time on campus, or part-time by distance learning.
You'll explore and evaluate the intricacies of economic crime and its social and financial impacts. You'll get to grips with existing crime reduction policies and weigh up their effectiveness.
Choose specialist topics that interest you – such as countering corruption and fraud examination, terrorism and security, and managing intelligence – as you tailor your studies toward a career in law enforcement, investigations, compliance, research, analysis, management or policy development.
When you graduate, you'll be equipped with skills that will open further opportunities to combat economic crime across the criminal justice system, in the public or private sector.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Evaluate the scale and impact of international economic crime, with a focus on money laundering and related activity, such as global sanctions and terrorist financing
- Learn from an experienced team of economic crime specialists in our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and hear from industry expert guest speakers from around the world
- Be part of our community of researchers by getting involved with our criminology research centres, such as the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime, the Economic Crime group, and the Cybercrime and Cybersecurity group
- Have the opportunity to use our lab equipment to carry out your own research, such as our operational simulation spaces
- Interact and explore economic crime with fellow professionals from the field of criminal justice
- Get free student membership to the Institute of Money Laundering Prevention Officers (The Institute), which includes access to industry events, discussions and forums
- Choose to study part-time by distance learning alongside your role - such as in law enforcement, the private or public sector - and build a professional network of criminal justice specialists from across the world
Recognised by:
This Masters in Economic Crime degree is recognised by ACFE (a global professional body for counter fraud professionals) and undertaking it provides opportunities for full-time students to complete the Certified Fraud Examiner qualification at a subsidised rate.
Students enrolled on the MSc Economic Crime course currently receive a 66% discount on Student Membership of the ACFE compared to standard membership.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2025 start
Qualifications or experience
- A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, or Management subject). Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2025 start)
- Full-time: £10,900
- Part-time: £5,450 per year
- Part-time (distance learning): £4,700 per year
Including the Transition Scholarship for EU students
- Full-time: £10,900
- Part-time: £5,450 per year
- Part-time (distance learning): £4,700 per year
- Full-time: £17,200
- Part-time: £8,600 per year
- Part-time (distance learning): £4,700 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Explore Master's funding options, including loans, scholarships, bursaries and more.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: If you choose to study on-campus, accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: such photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.
Full-time
Core modules
You'll dissect high-profile cases of economic crime, unravelling tangled webs of fraud, cybercrime and corruption.
You’ll analyse processes used to cook the books and how hackers exploit system vulnerabilities, and consider the social and economic impacts of these crimes.
By assessing the effectiveness of economic crime reduction policies, you'll gain skills you’ll need to expose financial misconduct and contribute to new preventative approaches.
You'll examine the nature, harms and scale of the problem, and the characteristics of offenders and victims.
Theoretical perspectives that seek to explain the problem are introduced which leads to an examination of strategies for tackling the crime at the national and organisationsal levels: policy, enforcement, justice, investigation and prevention.
You'll design and write up a research proposal for a project of your choice. You'll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.
Then, you'll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you'll use and taking ethical issues into account.
You'll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of criminology that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
You'll examine the process of money laundering, money laundering typologies, case studies, and underlying regulatory and compliance frameworks.
You will also gain a practical and theoretical understanding of compliance obligations of private actors in this area. This includes anti-money laundering compliance programs and investigations.
Part-time (on campus)
Core modules
You'll dissect high-profile cases of economic crime, unravelling tangled webs of fraud, cybercrime and corruption.
You’ll analyse processes used to cook the books and how hackers exploit system vulnerabilities, and consider the social and economic impacts of these crimes.
By assessing the effectiveness of economic crime reduction policies, you'll gain skills you’ll need to expose financial misconduct and contribute to new preventative approaches.
You'll examine the nature, harms and scale of the problem, and the characteristics of offenders and victims.
Theoretical perspectives that seek to explain the problem are introduced which leads to an examination of strategies for tackling the crime at the national and organisationsal levels: policy, enforcement, justice, investigation and prevention.
You'll examine the process of money laundering, money laundering typologies, case studies, and underlying regulatory and compliance frameworks.
You will also gain a practical and theoretical understanding of compliance obligations of private actors in this area. This includes anti-money laundering compliance programs and investigations.
Core modules
You'll design and write up a research proposal for a project of your choice. You'll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.
Then, you'll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you'll use and taking ethical issues into account.
You'll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of criminology that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
Part-time (distance learning)
Core modules
You'll dissect high-profile cases of economic crime, unravelling tangled webs of fraud, cybercrime and corruption.
You'll analyse processes used to cook the books and how hackers exploit system vulnerabilities, and consider the social and economic impacts of these crimes.
By assessing the effectiveness of economic crime reduction policies, you'll gain skills you’ll need to expose financial misconduct and contribute to new preventative approaches.
You'll explore how “dirty” money gets cleaned through complex financial manoeuvres and offshore accounts, and debate the dilemmas faced by banks and regulators struggling to balance compliance versus privacy.
You'll compare global approaches to anti money laundering, gaining skills you’ll need to detect suspicious transactions and advance financial integrity and transparency.
You’ll then design and write up a research proposal for a project of your choice.
You’ll start by thinking about any research skills you might need to improve on and develop ways to strengthen your skillset, through core training, chosen focus areas and applied learning.
Then, you’ll work on your own postgraduate research proposal planning out the specific research methods you’ll use and taking ethical issues into account. You’ll include clear objectives and document your literature and data sources.
Core modules
With academic guidance, you'll choose your own literature or empirical topic within a field of criminology that fits the parameters of your intended Master’s exit award.
You'll bring together everything you’ve learned to design and evaluate ethical methodologies, conduct systematic research, and communicate your ideas professionally in your dissertation or report.
Optional modules
You'll consider the extent of the problem of fraud and corruption, the characteristics of these issues, and the theoretical perspectives on why individuals engage in them, examining case studies from particular sectors, such as insurance, healthcare and mass marketing.
You'll then take a look at the strategies created to combat fraud and corruption, such as prevention, investigation and sanctions.
This module also introduces ACFE, providing interested students a route to apply for Certified Fraud Examiner.
You'll explore definitions and methodological approaches for studying international and transnational offences.
Assessing trends and governance challenges, you'll gain critical perspectives on trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism and more.
By evaluating international responses and prevention strategies, you'll analyse how cooperation can curb threats.
You'll finish the module with a nuanced understanding of global interconnection and the emerging challenges facing justice systems worldwide.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Criminal Justice Master's courses
Discover the Master's courses offered by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Dr Helen Earwaker: Here within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, we run a diverse range of Master's level provision with content aligned to a host of different areas that link to the pursuit of justice. Students can choose to study on campus or through distance learning. Our distance learning courses enable students to learn as part of a diverse online community, balancing their other commitments with their learning.
Dr Helen Earwaker: On campus, we bring learning to life through interactive workshops, immersive learning and through using simulated environments.
Gary [Podcast]: "Hello, everyone, and welcome back. Today we are looking at the case of Simon Flint, who is reported missing by his wife. A missing persons case has been opened and there is an active investigation into his disappearance. There is some intelligence to suggest that Mr. Flint has been involved in fraudulent activity. Four days later, a body believed to be that of Mr. Flint is discovered in an abandoned warehouse.
So now that we've discussed the case, we're going to look at the different theoretical and practical aspects that spanned the disciplines connected with this case. For example, we're going to consider the economic crime and fraud investigation, forensic science and crime science, the application of victimology and psychology, the potential connectivity with cybercrime, and then we're going to see how all of these fit together within the criminal justice system. This is important because these are all the areas that are considered within our MSc provision."
Dr Helen Earwaker: Our MSc provision connects to the research centres that we have within our school and our students benefit from the world-leading research that goes on within these. Research is at the very heart of our MSc teaching with evidence-based practice a core theme throughout our courses. Our students learn in a multidisciplinary and cross-border environment, benefiting from a wide range of perspectives across criminal justice and beyond.
Dr Helen Earwaker: We work closely with partner organisations across the justice sector, enabling our students to combine theory and practice throughout their studies. An MSc within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice will equip you to be evidence informed, forward thinking and to go on to challenge the status quo in the pursuit of justice.
Facilities and specialist equipment
Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing
CoFI researches interviewing techniques and the issues that affect how information is gathered in a forensic context. Depending on the modules you study, you'll have access to CoFI's interviewing simulation activities.
Crime scene simulation spaces
Use the latest forensic advances and immersive learning technologies, including evidence analysis equipment and interpretation spaces, to delve into crime scene investigation in our realistic simulation areas.
Hydra immersive learning suite
Engage in dynamic simulated scenarios that replicate operational challenges, developing your problem solving, decision making and critical thinking skills.
Virtual Reality (VR) lab
Use immersive VR technologies to explore new ways of learning about criminal activities – from tracking eye movement to identifying unconscious behaviour.
Wildlife crime related artefacts
Enrich your studies with access to our range of rare wildlife crime related artefacts, including ivory, traps, and snares.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to spend in on-campus or in online lectures and seminars and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take:
- 1 year (full-time study)
- 2 years (part-time study)
- 2 years (part-time study by distance learning)
You can expect:
- Up to 4 hours of teaching time every week (lectures, seminars or workshops) if you study on campus, or up to 6 hours in online sessions if you study by distance learning.
- 30–35 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 15–18 hours each week if you study part-time.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree. If you choose campus based study, the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
If you choose to study on campus, teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- group discussions
- practical workshops
If you choose to study by distance learning, teaching methods include:
- online lectures
- online seminars
- online tutorials
- online group discussions
You will receive high-quality course materials via Moodle, our online learning environment. You'll learn through interactive workbooks, discussion boards and live online seminars and lectures. All live sessions are recorded so you can access them whenever suits you.
You'll get to chat with fellow students, discuss and present your work and keep in touch with tutors. You'll get plenty of support throughout your studies, including help on writing and structuring essays, and how to undertake research.
You'll need access to a computer and a web connection. You may be able to access some of the resources through a tablet or smartphone, with limited functionality. You don't need to be especially computer literate, although typing skills are useful.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- essays
- reports
- oral presentations
- projects and portfolios
- seminar participation and engagement
- dissertation / major report
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Career development
Careers this Master's prepares you for
According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), fraud and economic crime is now the most commonly experienced crime in England and Wales. When you graduate from this Master's in Economic Crime, you'll be equipped with the tools you need to not only understand economic crime and how it is countered, but also to challenge existing processes and make improvements.
You'll have a comprehensive understanding of economic crime and will be able to work in areas such as counter fraud and counter corruption, law enforcement, customs and excise, crime prevention and community safety.
You'll gain a tailored postgraduate qualification to add to your undergraduate degree, or to back up your existing career knowledge from the field. You'll delve deep into the subjects you choose to study through research, gaining an evidence-based perspective and a greater ability to be analytical and evaluative.
If you already work in the field of criminal justice, you'll be ready to pursue higher-level roles, or to break into a different area of the discipline. If you're yet to embark on your career, you'll gain the knowledge and advanced research problem-solving skills you need to stand out to employers and contribute positively to justice system reform.
You could also go on to further study, or progress on to a graduate scheme such as PoliceNow or the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme.
Graduates of this course can go on to roles such as:
-
economic crime or counter fraud investigator
-
police or law enforcement officer
-
probation or prison officer
-
data analyst
-
intelligence analyst
-
cybersecurity
Graduates of this course can go on to work for organisations such as:
- the Civil Service
- national and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Government agencies and departments internationally
- probation and prison service
- the Courts
- local administration / authorities
- private security companies
- charities
Student membership to the Institute of Money Laundering Prevention Officers
While you're on this course, you'll get free student membership to the Institute of Money Laundering Prevention Officers (The Institute).
Benefits of membership include:
- connecting and networking with leading industry experts
- access to events, workshops and seminars offering practical insights into trends and challenges in financial crime prevention
- updates on the latest developments in financial crime prevention, including changes in regulations and technological innovations
Economic Crime Education Consortium (ECEC)
The Economic Crime Education Consortium (ECEC) is a partnership led by the University of Portsmouth with several key criminal justice agencies, including the National Crime Agency, Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service, City of London Police, Companies House, and Serious Fraud Office.
We are working together to develop opportunities for student employment, placements and internships in economic crime, and new economic crime courses to ensure the education of economic crime meets the needs of students and professionals across a wide range of public and private sector settings.
The ECEC is led by Dr Paul Gilmour at the University of Portsmouth, who is the primary academic contact for ECEC matters. For further information, please email paul.gilmour@port.ac.uk
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert career support from your tutors and from our Careers and Employability Centre, which you can access for 5 years after you graduate.
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Supporting you
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. If you choose to study on-campus, you'll also get face-to-face support. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to postgraduate study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your course.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
How to apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying to study on-campus as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2024, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.