MSc Financial Crime and Compliance in Digital Societies (top-up) (blended learning)
Year of entry: 2026
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Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Duration
- 12 months
- Entry requirements
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From September 2026, there will be two routes for admission to this programme. The first route is the route that has been in place since the programme started. The second is an alternative route that was approved in January 2026.
If you have successfully completed the ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Crime Compliance or ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance , you can apply for this course.
If you are interested in studying with the ICA, you can get in touch with them directly by emailing: courseenquiries @int-comp.org
If you do not hold one of the above qualifications, you may be able to apply for a place on the programme based on your professional experience. Applying via this route requires the following:
- An Upper Second (2:1) class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent in a relevant discipline, such as law, finance, accounting, criminology or business administration.
- At least 10 years of relevant work experience in governance, risk or compliance, for example, but not limited to, financial crime compliance (including anti-money laundering (AML).
- At least 3 years of experience in management/leadership roles in governance, risk or compliance, for example, but not limited to, financial crime compliance (including anti-money laundering (AML). Applicants should currently be in a senior management/leadership position, with responsibility for leading teams or business units, strategic planning, implementing compliance programmes, managing compliance frameworks, and/or board engagement or reporting.
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Evidence of a range of professional knowledge, skills and competencies which will be assessed through submission of a portfolio containing:
- 1,500-word essay
- 2,000-word written statement
- 2-page CV
- 2 x professional references
Further details on the content of the portfolio can be obtained by contacting: studyonline@manchester.ac.uk
- How to apply
The deadline for applications is 31 August 2026.
Apply now to secure your place.
Course options
| Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | N | N | Y | N |
Course description
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:
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MSc (full-time distance learning)
UK students (per annum): £11,600
International, including EU, students (per annum): £11,600
Additional expenses
The advertised fee covers your tuition. It does not cover your accommodation, travel costs or any other expenses that you may incur when attending face-to-face conferences/workshops/masterclasses/field trips.
Two of three weekend Masterclasses are held on the University campus (hybrid option available; third is held fully online). Students attending in person would need to pay for travel to/accommodation in Manchester (UK/international travel).
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Social Sciences
- Contact name
- Manchester Study Online
- studyonline@manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty overview
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See: School Subjects
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
From September 2026, there will be two routes for admission to this programme. The first route is the route that has been in place since the programme started. The second is an alternative route that was approved in January 2026.
If you have successfully completed the ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Crime Compliance or ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance , you can apply for this course.
If you are interested in studying with the ICA, you can get in touch with them directly by emailing: courseenquiries @int-comp.org
If you do not hold one of the above qualifications, you may be able to apply for a place on the programme based on your professional experience. Applying via this route requires the following:
- An Upper Second (2:1) class honours degree, or the overseas equivalent in a relevant discipline, such as law, finance, accounting, criminology or business administration.
- At least 10 years of relevant work experience in governance, risk or compliance, for example, but not limited to, financial crime compliance (including anti-money laundering (AML).
- At least 3 years of experience in management/leadership roles in governance, risk or compliance, for example, but not limited to, financial crime compliance (including anti-money laundering (AML). Applicants should currently be in a senior management/leadership position, with responsibility for leading teams or business units, strategic planning, implementing compliance programmes, managing compliance frameworks, and/or board engagement or reporting.
-
Evidence of a range of professional knowledge, skills and competencies which will be assessed through submission of a portfolio containing:
- 1,500-word essay
- 2,000-word written statement
- 2-page CV
- 2 x professional references
Further details on the content of the portfolio can be obtained by contacting: studyonline@manchester.ac.uk
English language
If you have successfully completed the ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Crime Compliance or ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance , you will be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.
If you do not hold one of the above qualifications and you are not from, or did not graduate from a majority English speaking country , we will also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application.
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in the individual components or equivalent. Discover more aboutEnglish language requirements.
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
The deadline for applications is 31 August 2026.
Apply now to secure your place.
Advice to applicants
For ICA graduates , to help speed up the application process, please submit the following documents with your online application form:
- Copies of official ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma certificates (see the Entry Requirements section for details of qualifying courses), showing the subjects taken and grades obtained.
- Referee details. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide contact details for one referee (professional or academic). The University will contact your referee directly after you submit your application and ask them to complete our online reference form.
For non-standard applications , please see the Entry Requirements section of the course webpage for full details of the documents you will need to submit as part of your application.
If you need any support with your application, please contact us at studyonline@manchester.ac.uk .
Course details
Course description
Aims
By the end of the programme, you will achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Apply core concepts, theoretical frameworks and modes of analysis related to financial crime, governance and (non-)compliance to relevant cases and workplace practice.
- Critically analyse complex compliance and financial crime risks, and the individual, organisational and structural factors that can shape them, using multi-level theoretical perspectives and modes of analysis.
- Apply concepts, ideas and theories related to financial crime and compliance to ‘real-world’ practical contexts related to their own workplaces or sectors.
- Apply a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, effective communication, independent learning, and digital literacy.
- Critically assess the financial crime, compliance and security-related opportunities and risks presented by various existing and emerging digital technologies.
- Communicate ideas and arguments effectively in different formats, adapting content, structure and style to suit different formats and objectives.
- Design and conduct research on financial crime, compliance or governance-related issues relevant to their workplace practice. Explain the processes, approaches, challenges and ethical considerations that underpin the production of data, evidence and intelligence on financial crime and compliance.
- Develop advanced skills for formulating original research questions and design a research project, utilising relevant theoretical and methodological frameworks.
Teaching and learning
This is a blended learning course with three practical masterclasses per year. The taught units are delivered via a virtual learning environment (VLE) where you can access all course materials, online reading lists, podcasts, and the University's extensive online library. You will receive an induction to the virtual learning environment at the start of your course.
The course material is highly engaging and includes video content, audio files and textual materials. You can also use the virtual learning environment to discuss issues raised in the course materials with your course tutor and fellow students. Throughout your studies, you will receive consistent support from a dedicated Student Support Advisor and the Manchester Academic Team.
Each course unit complements others, reinforcing key ideas and issues whilst introducing new materials. The teaching material is designed with working professionals in mind and will enable you to complete the programme part-time alongside your employment. You will be able to work at your own pace as you engage with the unit content.
The three practical masterclasses will take place in week four of each unit and will offer interactive, practical, case study based workshop activities. The sessions will also involve unique masterclasses from subject matter experts on related and topical issues. Attendance in-person is highly recommended but if you are unable to join us in Manchester, UK you can join the workshops and masterclasses online.
Online learning FAQs
Find the answers to our frequently asked questions about studying online.
Coursework and assessment
The assessments involve a mixture of written coursework (e.g., short essays or reflective contributions), recorded presentations (e.g., using PowerPoint), and online tasks (i.e., quizzes, short reflections and analyses on the content of the weekly session).
Feedback on formative and summative assessments will be provided in written form with optional one-to-one meetings with the teaching staff.
The project is flexible, allowing you to choose between two 60-credit dissertation options. You can indicate which dissertation option you'd like to select during your Unit 3 studies.
- Option A - long dissertation (10,000-12,000-word independent thesis)
- Option B - short dissertation (6,000-8,000-word thesis alongside two short modules on Research Skills in Practice, available via the online learning environment)
You will be allocated supervisors for your dissertation projects and will have an opportunity to have at least two one-to-one meetings.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance and Financial Crime Risks: Analysis and Explanation | CRIM70003 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Digital Technologies, FCC | CRIM70013 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Data, Evidence and Intelligence on FCC | CRIM70023 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Project (Individual Dissertation) | CRIM71000 | 60 | Optional |
| Project (Short Dissertation) | CRIM73000 | 60 | Optional |
Additional fee information
Total course tuition fees for September 2026 are:
MSc £11,600 (UK/EU/International).
Please note the tuition fees are subject to an incremental rise in September.
The advertised fee covers your tuition. It does not cover your accommodation, travel costs or any other expenses that you may incur when attending in-person masterclasses.
Employer funding
If you are looking to secure funding from your employer, we can help you build a business case or talk to your employer directly. Contact us on studyonline@manchester.ac.uk to arrange a consultation.
Payment by instalments
During registration you will have the opportunity to pay your fees in three equal instalments. Learn more .
Scholarships and bursaries
If you're an English or EU student living in the UK, you may be eligible for a loan.
Manchester Master's Bursary (UK)
We're committed to helping students access further education.
Manchester Alumni Scholarship Schemes
If you completed your degree at Manchester, you could receive a discount.
Funding for students with disabilities
If you have a disability, we can help you apply for relevant funding.