Rabdan Academy has announced the launch of its Master of Science in Financial Crime, developed with the support of the General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee. The programme aligns with the National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing 2024–2027 and reflects the UAE’s continued commitment to strengthening its financial integrity framework.
The programme has been developed in response to the increasing complexity of financial crime and the growing demand for qualified professionals capable of supporting compliance, investigation, and enforcement efforts at both the national and international levels. It aims to equip students with advanced knowledge of regulatory frameworks, financial investigations, and emerging risks, supporting institutional readiness across the public and private sectors.
The programme was developed through the Capacity Building Working Group of the Public-Private Partnership Sub-Committee for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism, with the support of the General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee, and in collaboration with government and regulatory entities, compliance specialists, and representatives from the financial sector.
The academic curriculum has been designed to reflect national priorities, operational requirements, labour market needs, and the evolving challenges facing these sectors. The programme adopts an integrated approach that combines academic knowledge with practical application and was developed in cooperation with supervisory authorities, financial institutions, compliance experts, and entities specialising in financial analysis and intelligence. This approach supports the development of qualified professionals capable of addressing emerging financial risks and strengthening institutional preparedness across sectors.
His Excellency Hamid AlZaabi, Secretary General and Vice Chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee, said: “This programme represents an important addition to the UAE’s wider ecosystem of education, research, and capacity building in the field of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. Together, these efforts contribute to building a broader and more sustainable base of specialised professionals capable of addressing growing risks and the increasing complexity of financial crime.
“The General Secretariat continues to strengthen its partnerships with the academic sector, with the support of the Higher Committee and the National Committee, and to leverage these partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of the national system through investment in human capital in cooperation with leading academic institutions. Programmes of this kind will play an important role in supporting long-term readiness and reinforcing the UAE’s international leadership in this field.”
His Excellency James Morse, President of Rabdan Academy, said: “The launch of the Master of Science in Financial Crime represents a strategic step that strengthens the academy’s role in supporting national efforts to build an integrated framework for combating financial crime. The programme responds to a genuine market need and reflects our continued commitment to developing specialised academic programmes grounded in innovation and applied knowledge, helping prepare professionals capable of addressing contemporary challenges with high levels of efficiency.
“We were keen to design the programme in partnership with relevant entities to ensure alignment with national priorities and to equip students with the analytical, research, and practical skills needed to detect, investigate, and prevent these crimes. We are confident the programme will contribute to strengthening institutional readiness and enhancing the effectiveness of compliance and financial governance systems, positively supporting economic stability and reinforcing the UAE’s global standing.”
The programme is scheduled to welcome its first class in Fall 2026 at Rabdan Academy’s campus in Abu Dhabi, coinciding with the completion of academic and institutional readiness ahead of the programme's launch. Prospective applicants may apply to the programme through the registration link available on Rabdan Academy’s website (https://admission.ra.ac.ae/admission/).
The programme will be offered on both full-time and part-time tracks, providing flexibility for working professionals. The duration of study is one year for the intensive track, or between two and three years depending on the mode of study, with a total of 30 accredited credit hours.
The programme has received accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in the US, reflecting compliance with the highest recognised academic and regulatory quality standards.
The programme is designed for professionals and specialists working across law enforcement agencies, financial and banking institutions, regulatory and supervisory bodies, compliance and risk management units, and financial intelligence units, as well as individuals seeking to advance their careers in the field of financial crime.
The academic structure is comprehensive and reflects the evolving nature of financial crime. Areas of study include financial investigations, compliance and regulatory frameworks, terrorism financing and proliferation financing, virtual assets and emerging crime risks, as well as governance and ethics in prevention.
The programme offers a study track, which focuses on coursework without a thesis, but replaced by capstone project and additional elective course, providing flexibility in aligning academic pathways with professional objectives.
The study plan has been designed using a phased structure across academic semesters to ensure knowledge is developed progressively and to strengthen the link between theoretical concepts and practical application through case studies, analytical exercises, and research projects.
Admission to the programme requires a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution in a relevant discipline, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent, in addition to meeting the academy’s English language requirements in line with approved policies. Conditional admission is also available subject to specified criteria.
The programme contributes to preparing a new generation of specialists with the legal, financial, and technical expertise required to address increasingly sophisticated financial crime risks. It also supports the development of professionals with integrated legal, financial, and technical understanding, alongside advanced research and professional capabilities to address current and future challenges.
The initiative further reinforces Rabdan Academy’s role in supporting national resilience and developing specialised talent through an integrated educational ecosystem combining academic and professional learning. It contributes to preparing future leaders capable of operating effectively across the fields of safety, security, defence, emergency preparedness, and crisis management.
The programme also reflects the academy’s continued commitment to developing advanced educational programmes that support the UAE’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy and reinforce its position as a leading regional and international centre in the fields of security, governance, and compliance.
