MSc Financial Crime and Compliance in Digital Societies (top-up) (blended learning) / Course details

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.

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.

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.