Criminal and Corporate Investigation
Criminal and corporate investigation is a specialist discipline that combines knowledge of criminal law and investigative procedure with an understanding of how fraud, financial crime, and misconduct are committed and detected in both public sector and corporate environments. Criminal investigation draws on criminology, law, and forensic science to understand how offences are detected, how evidence is gathered and preserved, and how the investigative process supports prosecution. Corporate investigation extends this to the specific context of business environments, examining how organisations investigate internal fraud, bribery, corruption, regulatory breaches, and misconduct, often outside the formal criminal justice system.
At the University of Northampton, this part-time programme offers flexible study for those who need to manage their education alongside work or other commitments, which is particularly relevant for students who may already be working in investigative, compliance, or legal roles. You will develop knowledge of criminal law and procedure, the rules governing evidence and investigation, financial crime typologies, forensic accounting principles, the legal and ethical frameworks governing corporate investigations, and the professional standards that investigators must meet. The programme builds both the analytical skills to interpret complex information and the practical understanding of how real investigations are conducted in different institutional contexts.
Graduates pursue careers in fraud investigation, compliance, financial crime units in banks and financial institutions, regulatory bodies, insurance investigation, law enforcement, and legal practices. The combination of criminal and corporate investigation knowledge is valued by employers who need investigators able to work across formal and informal accountability processes. Further study options include postgraduate qualifications in fraud management, legal practice, financial crime compliance, and related fields.