Financial Crime Cardiff University

Overview

Financial crime is a defining and pervasive challenge of the modern world. Operating through global criminal networks, it demands coordinated, strategic international responses.

From fraud and bribery to market manipulation and terrorist financing, these crimes damage people and economies, and threaten global security. Rapid technological change and alternative forms of finance - including cryptocurrencies - add new layers of complexity for those working to detect financial crime, prevent harm and recover assets.

You’ll engage directly with these issues on our LLM in Financial Crime – thinking critically and creatively about how financial crime operates and the ways it can be disrupted. Through a distinctive socio legal lens, you’ll examine international standards and analyse real world cases, developing a clear view of where global practice aligns and where it falls short.

You’ll study the regulation of banking and finance and investigate how by exploiting legal techniques and corporate structures illicit wealth is concealed and laundered. You’ll also gain a practical insight into enforcement in action, exploring the roles of compliance professionals, regulators and law enforcement agencies, as well as the use and effectiveness of international sanctions.

Taught by leading researchers in financial crime who advise governments, international organisations and regional forums, each module is shaped by their expertise. This means you’re connecting with current and developing research, real world experience and emerging challenges.

You’ll also conduct your own research, applying international standards through the lens of your own local knowledge and experience. By comparing how different jurisdictions respond to financial crime, you’ll assess what works, what doesn’t and where change is needed – engaging with global frameworks like the UN, EU, and Financial Action Task Force.

Graduate with specialist legal expertise in anti money laundering, sanctions, bribery, proceeds of crime and counter terrorist financing combined with strong regulatory and compliance insight. You’ll also have a deep forensic and technical awareness that supports investigation, analysis and case-building, supporting cross-border, global careers in law, compliance, regulation, enforcement, prevention and policy.

Understand financial crime today, the challenges of tomorrow, and the role you can play in safeguarding financial systems and protecting people.