Join our Forensic Accounting MSc at Northumbria University and delve into the niche field of finance and forensics.

Whether you have an accounting undergraduate background or not, this course looks at areas such as the nature, regulation and policing of financial crimes in the UK. In particular, it focuses on the prevention and detection of fraud in organisations and examines corporate governance, internal controls and accounting techniques.

This literature-based masters involves both qualitative and quantitative study. It will introduce you to the skills needed in the role of forensic accounting, including people skills and emotional intelligence.

‘Forensic’ means suitable for use in court, and you’ll consider this and other roles undertaken by forensic accountants. You will study the law and regulation of financial crimes such as money laundering, bribery and corruption. You will also examine occupational fraud, financial statement fraud and methods of prevention, detection and investigation. Each year we invite practitioners to speak and provide practical insight into the world of financial crime and forensic accountants.  

Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, case discussions, and practical exercises. As this is a master’s course there is a major element of independent learning and self-motivated enquiry and reflection.

Teaching is backed up by a well-designed support system that helps ensure a successful learning journey. We make sure that extensive feedback, from both tutors and peers, is built into the course.

Assessment methods include assignments, exams, and presentations, the majority of which are literature based rather than numerical. Your master’s dissertation will form a major part of the assessment and there may be the opportunity to conduct quantitative research as part of your dissertation.

You will be taught by specialists who have published in of financial crime such as fraud, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance.

You will be part of a select group of business schools worldwide, following accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in business and accounting – the first in Europe to gain the double accreditation. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, Masters, and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.

Newcastle Business School provides first-class teaching in a world-class environment. From social spaces and hub areas to lecture theatres and exhibition spaces, our facilities are exceptional. The 24/7 University Library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK and has held the Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence since 2010.

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. Our use of lecture capture software will help you revise challenging material.

As a master’s student, you’ll develop your research and enquiry skills to a new, higher level. Your research supervisor will help you submit a proposal for your 15,000-word dissertation and support you in developing and completing it.

Throughout the course, you’ll be an active participant in the on-going research agenda that’s at the heart of Newcastle Business School. With conferences and research events regularly taking place, and with staff discussing their own research as it relates to the topics you’ll study, there’s a strong emphasis on engaging in up-to-date enquiry-based learning.

Your studies will help prepare you for a potential rewarding and stimulating career within forensic accounting. Typical employers include banks, police forces, insurance companies, and government agencies. You may also find yourself working for accounting firms who have specialist forensic accounting departments.

If you choose to continue your studies to doctorate level, your experience of postgraduate research will provide an excellent foundation.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have the transferable skills that employers expect from a master’s graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.

This course is also a way of taking first steps in being able to work towards professional body examinations such as that provided by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.