Compliance

At a glance

The MSc in Compliance is designed to give Compliance and other control professionals the knowledge and skills they need to implement effective compliance structures and enhance the overall internal governance structures of organisations.



Who is it for?

• The MSc in Compliance is designed to give Compliance professionals and those working as part of the three lines of defence, the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective compliance and enhance your company’s overall internal governance structures.

• This programme will provide you with the multidisciplinary skills to participate more effectively in leading compliance functions and to understand the practical application of compliance best practices.

• It has been developed for those who work in assurance and control functions and will be of particular interest to Compliance managers and those aspiring to these roles as part of their career development.



Award

• MSc in Compliance is accredited and awarded by UCD.

• This is a major award and at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

• Students who leave the programme on successful completion of the first six modules are eligible for the exit award Graduate Diploma in Compliance from UCD (postgraduate level 9).

Core modules:



Financial/White Collar Crime Prevention

Data Protection Policies and Procedures

Managing for Compliance

Ethics, Risk and Corporate Governance

Designing an Internal Governance Framework

The Regulatory Landscape

Compliance Leadership and Culture

Then you must attain 20 ECTS from the following optional modules:

Optional modules:

Research Methods and Applied Project

OR

Complete two modules from the following:



Managing Responsibly with AI

Operational Risk, Capital Markets and AI

Strategic Operational Conduct and Reputational Risk Management

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements to the MSc in Compliance are as follows:

• An honours degree (min. 2.2 L8 NFQ) in a relevant area in a business, legal or cognate discipline and at least 3 years' relevant work experience.

or

• Applicants who do not hold a primary degree but have relevant work experience at a middle or senior management level are eligible to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Professional body membership

You must be a current member of the Compliance Institute, or become a member, to undertake this programme.

Duration: Varies

Online lectures.

Next intake

Autumn Trimester (September 2026 - January 2027)



Trimester start date

28 September 2026

Progression

The Professional Education Framework is a flexible education pathway that provides learning and development opportunities wherever you are in your career. You can access the framework at any step to take specialist qualifications depending on your career and learning need.