Course Overview

Financial Fraud Investigation and Intelligence is one of the world’s most pressing challenges where elements of governance, compliance and financial crime risks are evolving rapidly which impacts societies,?national financial security, infrastructure and the global economy. This overwhelming financial threat has ensured that financial security skills and intelligence are some of the?world’s most in-demand needs at present.

University of Buckingham’s MSc Financial Fraud Investigation & Intelligence is a comprehensive and rigorous study in key areas of financial fraud investigation, and Intelligence. It is designed for graduates interested in following a career in the financial fraud investigation, security and intelligence or even conducting research at a postgraduate level. The programme is designed to deliver financial expertise with particular emphasis on understanding the discipline of finance, financial fraud investigation, and intelligence both theoretical foundations and practice applications are provided in respective areas

Who is this programme suitable for?

The programme is designed for students who intend to pursue a career in the financial security sector who have recently acquired their bachelor’s degree in security, management, law, accounting, finance, investment and banking related fields. It is for those who wish to enhance their knowledge of managing and working in organisations within an array of competing economic, financial, social, political and cultural conditions.

Programme Description

The programme has single entry points, January each year. It can be completed through one year of full-time study / two year (part-time) and include the following modules:

• Banking Risk Management
• Case Studies in Intelligence Success and Failure
• Cybersecurity and International Trade
• Derivatives and Financial Risk Management
• Economic Analysis
• Ethical & Professional Standards
• Financial Crime & Intelligence Analysis
• Financial Fraud Case Analysis Project
• Fraud Investigation and Financial Crime

For the purpose of awards, students will be required to pass all the modules (180 credits) to be awarded an MSc Financial Fraud Investigation & Intelligence.

Delivery Team

The programme is delivered and supported by a research and teaching team led by Dr Julian Richard, a Security Studies specialist with a long experience of working in the UK government on defence and security policy issues, subject specialist and industry experts from the filed of finance, law and governance.

Quality teaching

We offer high quality, traditional Oxbridge-style teaching, which leads to our degrees being recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.

High calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high calibre, highly respected lecturers, many of whom also have a background in business or industry and can offer networking opportunities for students.

Teaching methods

Teaching across our postgraduate programmes is through a combination of formal lectures, tutorials and seminars. Our lectures aim to encourage healthy dialogue between faculty and students, and between students themselves, while our small tutorial groups ensure that students can engage even more closely with their teachers. Members of the Business School faculty also make a point of being available to students outside the scheduled teaching sessions – something which our postgraduate students find particularly valuable.

We frequently use case studies to examine business decisions taken in real situations, and business simulations and games give you first-hand experience of decision making in the world of work. Role-play and group problem-solving exercises help you to apply some of the theoretical concepts delivered in lectures and you will have the opportunity to undertake individual or group projects with local companies on topical business issues.

Assessment methods

The assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by examination, assessed coursework, or a combination of the two. Please check module information for more details.

Preparation for work

All our degree courses combine academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. Many of our more vocationally-focused degrees offer the opportunity of work placements and experience in industry.

Graduate employment

Our graduates have gone on to further study at most of the world’s leading universities, including Harvard, London, Oxford and Cambridge and secured jobs in senior positions around the world. Among our alumni we have a graduate who became the head of his country’s civil service and one who became a leading Formula One motor-racing driver. Another secured a position as the Minister of Sabah and one female law graduate became the first British lawyer to become a French Advocate.