Academic Degree Programmes
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Academic Recognition
IACA is fully recognized as an institution for post-secondary education. Its programmes and diplomas are recognized within the European Higher Education Area (“Bologna process”) Other states around the world have also recognized IACA degrees through the application of national procedures.
Modules 1 of IMACC and MACS 2021
The International Anti-Corruption Academy endeavours to provide a world-class education to students from diverse backgrounds. IACA’s four master’s programmes are designed for anti-corruption and compliance specialists to enable them to study while continuing with their professional activities. Our students come from a diverse range of geographic, sectoral, and academic backgrounds.
All programmes utilize module-based coursework, and the master’s programmes require students to write and defend a final thesis or final research project. The degree programmes are taught in a hybrid or online format, with some in-person classes being completed at IACA’s campus in Laxenburg or another location worldwide.
Courtesy of the Siemens Integrity Initiative, 21 full scholarships and 45 partial programme fee waiver scholarships were granted to students from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and nationals of states which are Parties to IACA and are listed under the World Bank Classification of Countries by Income as Lower-Middle- and Upper-Middle-Income Economies. Students of the MACS, IMACC, and MACD classes that were in progress during 2023, benefited from such scholarships.
MACS, IMACC, MACD, MACC, ACCA Students from 2012 to 2023 by Regional Group
Master in Anti-Corruption Studies
The programme offers a series of interdisciplinary modules that concentrate on concepts and applied perspectives for preventing and countering corruption and establishing solid components of compliance. It has a duration of two years and grants a total of 120 ECTS credits under the “Bologna Process”, qualifying students for enrollment in PhD programmes.
IACA has welcomed students from 64 countries and jurisdictions for its eleventh MACS cohorts. They came from Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kenya, Lithuania, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Republic of Tanzania, the United States of America, and Zambia.
These students have included officials from national anti-corruption agencies, business executives, diplomats, investigators, humanitarian workers, compliance managers, senior military/police officers, auditors, government officials, prosecutors, academics, media representatives, and staff from international and non-governmental organizations.
2023 – 2025 Class
The eleventh MACS intake started their first module in September 2023. This programme includes twelve students from ten countries. The Programme is being offered in the online format with modules being implemented remotely and consisting of various instructor-led virtual classes. The Programme is built and delivered within the existing resources of the department.
STUDENT
“IACA brings sterling professionals for each module, the best of the best in each field. Also, the IACA team that coordinates the entire programme is the best; indeed, providing the greatest support to each student needs to facilitate a beautiful learning experience. Overall, my learning in IACA has been an intense, beautiful journey of learning and relearning; and is equipping me to be a more valuable player in the field of anti-corruption.
STUDENT
“The programme has significantly enhanced my knowledge and capacity in this field by providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexities of corruption and the multifaceted approaches required for effective diplomacy. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and interactive workshops, I gained valuable insights into the best practices for promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity within institutions. In conclusion, the programme has profoundly shaped my perspective and approach to issues of corruption and diplomacy, equipping me with the tools to contribute meaningfully to the fight against corruption.
STUDENT
“IACA, a premier institution, launched MACS degree programme which is second to none. It provides an opportunity for international professionals to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Being a professional at the National Anti-Corruption body necessitates continuous learning, which compelled me to join MACS. A well-structured syllabus, and renowned faculty of IACA is a catalyst in professional development.
2022 - 2024 Class
In 2023, the students of the tenth MACS intake undertook modules two to five and started module six. Modules three and four were conducted in the hybrid format at IACA premises in Laxenburg for six hybrid format students and six online format students. The Programme includes twelve students from ten countries. Moreover, there were five open module students from four countries that took part in the MACS 2022 cohort.
2021 - 2023 Class
The success of the MACS as an innovative, multidisciplinary degree programme, continued in 2023 with the graduation of its nineth class on 6 December 2023. The programme included 18 students from 13 countries T They also completed their master's thesis and defended it in November/December. MACS 2020 students, who had deferred their thesis in 2022, also completed their studies and graduated in December 2023.
STUDENT
“When I joined IACA’s Master in Anti-Corruption Studies (MACS) programme, I only associated corruption with bribery. As I started gathering more information, I understood that although corruption has been widely discussed in the past few decades, there’s still an urgent need to educate citizens on this topic. All in all, studying at IACA helped me to analyse my country’s context with a new lens. Now, I am extremely excited to be able to debate and support the various people with whom I interact to understand the essence of corruption.
International Master in Anti-Corruption Compliance and Collective Action
The IMACC Programme was introduced in 2017 with a focus on building the capacity of business professionals to prevent and control corruption through effective compliance systems and collective action. It has a duration of two years and grants a total of 120 ECTS credits under the “Bologna Process”, qualifying students for enrollment in Ph.D. programmes.
This Programme provides students with the tools to implement global good practices within domestic and transnational regulatory frameworks for both private and state-owned businesses.
2023-2025 Class
The sixth intake of IMACC started their first module in September 2023 and is composed of 14 students from ten countries. The programme is conducted in the online format. The programme involves numerous learning methodologies and tools and has several instructor-led virtual classes through seven modules.
STUDENT
“My knowledge has greatly expanded by the programme, especially in areas like collective action tactics, international compliance frameworks, and the role of diplomacy in multi-stakeholder collaboration. I have gained knowledge on how to carry out comprehensive risk assessments, spot possible corruption hazards in the public sector and procurement procedures and create and advise on efficient countermeasures like boosting accountability systems, raising stakeholder engagement, and encouraging transparency.
STUDENT
“Corruption is not about theorical debates but about practical patterns. With the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), we get all the necessary information about the daily reality of corruption. Moreover, we profit from the international experiences of the instructors in this field, which give us outstanding knowledge about the global typologies of corruption trends. The technology tools used to deliver learning don’t expose us to the challenges of e-learning. The provided data, resources, and cases are highly advanced and very useful for my daily work, I am learning how to develop strategies for oversight and investigation of corruption violations. I highly recommend IACA through my network.
STUDENT
“Before becoming an IMACC student, while working in this field, I felt like someone trying to recognize objects around me in a dark room by candlelight. Because the issue of combating corruption is a very broad area with social, economic, political, and psychological aspects and in order to achieve results in this regard, it is necessary to examine and understand it within the scope of all these contexts as much as possible. After becoming an IMACC student and starting to look more closely at combating corruption, it was as if someone turned on the lights in that dark room and I started to see and understand everything around me more clearly. Now I feel like a real Integrity Development and Anti-Corruption Expert.
2022 – 2024 Class
Students of the fifth IMACC intake undertook modules two to six in the online-only format, with various instructor-led classes. This Programme includes eleven students from ten countries. Moreover, there were two open module students from two countries that took part in the IMACC 2022 cohort.
STUDENT
“Enrolling in the International Master in Anti-Corruption Compliance and Collective Action Studies (IMACC) program at IACA was a life-changing experience. The programme’s innovative teaching approach went beyond knowledge acquisition, fostering critical thinking, ethical awareness, and cross-cultural communication. These skills enabled me to address corruption in Afghanistan effectively and advocate for lasting solutions. As a dedicated advocate for transparency, justice, and integrity, I am committed to driving meaningful change. This experience underscores the power of education and resilience, inspiring others to support institutions like IACA and empower students to confront corruption and shape a brighter, more just future.
2021 – 2023 Class
In 2023, the fourth intake of IMACC completed their last two modules online. They also completed their master’s thesis and defended it in November/December, graduating on 6 December. The programme included 15 students from 13 countries.
Master in Anti-Corruption and Diplomacy
Developed jointly by IACA and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), this Programme was launched in 2021. The MACD offers a series of interdisciplinary modules which concentrate on concepts and practical tools for diplomacy and preventing and countering corruption.
It has a duration of 18 months and grants a total of 90 ECTS credits under the “Bologna Process.”
2023-2025 Class
The third intake of the MACD Programme completed module one in 2023. This programme includes 13 students from eleven countries. The programme is planned to take place in both hybrid and online format, with the opportunity to attend one module onsite in Geneva (module four).
STUDENT
“I am a lawyer with fifteen years of experience in anti-corruption practice. Seeking to expand my knowledge about the role of diplomacy in combatting corruption, I found this programme to be the perfect opportunity.
2022 – 2024 Class
Students of the second intake of the MACD Programme completed modules two to six in 2023. Module four was organized in the hybrid format in Geneva, at UNITAR premises. Some of the topics covered national anti-corruption laws, international anti-corruption conventions and initiatives, the economics of corruption, investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, diplomacy, negotiation skills, cybercrime, and collective action. The programme includes ten students from eight countries.
STUDENT
“I would advocate to all professionals to join IACA because it provides a global outlook of what anti-corruption is. The organization of the MACD was excellent, it enabled us to learn in depth.
STUDENT
“The MACD programme has been an incredibly enriching experience. During the programme, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the most prominent authors in anti-corruption studies, as well as renowned diplomats and professionals who, in their own fields of activities, contribute so much to an international anti-corruption debate.
Máster en Estudios Anticorrupción y Compliance (MACC)
Launched in September 2022, this is IACA’s first master’s degree offered in a language other than English. The MACC is taught entirely in Spanish and covers topics such as anti-corruption compliance programme design, Collective Action, and public sector corruption prevention. By offering this programme in Spanish, IACA can better serve its mandate by providing anti-corruption education to a more diverse student body.
It has a duration of 18 months and grants a total of 90 ECTS credits under the “Bologna Process.”
2022 – 2024 Class
The first intake of the MACC Programme completed modules three and four in 2023, with module three taking place in the hybrid format in Mexico. The programme includes nine students from three countries.
STUDENT
“Debo señalar que cursar por el MACC es una experiencia en la que confluyen varios elementos beneficiosos. No se trata de cursar meramente un programa académico que, sea dicho de paso, cuenta con académicos y profesionales valiosos de diferentes partes del mundo, sino que te permite conocer una red de estudiantes y expertos con los que compartes conocimientos y momentos valiosos, y que te permiten ampliar tu red de investigación o profesional. Sin expandirme mucho más, la experiencia es gratificante y excelsa.
STUDENT
“La IACA ha desarrollado el MACC para compartir conocimientos y experiencias de reconocidos docentes y estudiantes que, siendo académicos, funcionarios de organismos internacionales y destacados profesionales del sector público y privado, generan sinergia en la prevención y persecución de la corrupción, haciendo una experiencia sumamente enriquecedora intelectualmente. Asimismo, la metodología híbrida de estudios que, al combinar sesiones virtuales y presenciales, me ha permitido llevar el MACC sin dejar mis responsabilidades laborales.
STUDENT
“En 2022, tuve la oportunidad de que mi más grande aspiración en mi carrera anticorrupción se concretara: inicié el Máster en Estudios Anticorrupción y Compliance. Me gustaría resaltar la perspectiva anticorrupción enfocada en los retos de América Latina; la metodología de enseñanza a través de talleres de escritura y preparación de estudios académicos y su gran acervo académico, que me ha permitido hacerme de una biblioteca de más de 300 títulos y documentos de interés en la materia. IACA no sólo me ha dado la seguridad de que el día de hoy cuento con el mejor conocimiento y herramientas, sino también, me ha permitido ser parte de una gran red de confianza y profesionales anticorrupción que compartimos una misión en la vida: el combate efectivo a la corrupción.
Anti-Corruption Collective Action Certificate (ACCA)
This Post-Graduate Certificate is a modular programme that equips students with theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of anti-corruption, Collective Action, and project management. The programme began in March 2022 and offers two interdisciplinary online modules on anti-corruption, Collective Action and project management methodology. Students also have the chance to design and implement anti-corruption projects, applying the knowledge and skills gained from the classes, with continuous guidance and support from IACA.
It has a duration of one year and grants a total of 30 ECTS credits under the “Bologna Process.”
2023-2024 Class
The second cohort of the ACCA Programme consists of eleven students from ten countries, with ten of them funded by a scholarship. The project proposals are to be implemented in Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Georgia, Ghana, Malawi, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Solomon Islands, and South Africa.
STUDENT
“The ACCA program has transformed my perspective and enhanced my professional skills, becoming a pivotal force in shaping my future career. It opened doors to a global network, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange with peers worldwide. It empowered me to contribute to Azerbaijan’s anti-corruption efforts on a larger scale through engagement of different stakeholders & Collective Action. The program’s influence extended beyond corporate boundaries, propelling me into international forums and initiatives, and affirming its role not just as an educational tool but as a catalyst for personal and national empowerment.
STUDENT
“My MACS (2020) thesis proposed the need for anti-corruption Collective Action in the real estate sector in Malawi as a means for preventing corruption and money laundering. Thanks to the ACCA programme, I can now implement those recommendations on a sector rated as posing a high risk for money laundering. The programme provides me with the relevant knowledge, skills, support from experts, and opportunities to use Collective Action as a means for securing the real estate sector from the aforementioned crimes.
STUDENT
“Collective Action (Project name: Pembangunan Integriti Bersama Komuniti) has been a transformative force in Dungun and Marang, fostering a sense of community empowerment. Through transparent governance and active citizen participation, we’ve seen tangible improvements in public services. The ACCA programme’s impact extends beyond infrastructure, building trust and collaboration. Residents now feel heard, and the positive changes are noticeable. The project sets a promising precedent for accountable governance, and we’re excited about its potential to create similar success stories in other communities.
2022 – 2023 Class
The first intake of the ACCA Programme consisted of eight participants, mainly members of the IACA Alumni Network, including participants nominated by the Academy’s partner organizations – the Alliance for Integrity, the Fisheries Transparency Initiative, and the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network. They have concluded their studies with the implementation phase and graduated in 2023 with tangible outcomes in their countries. IACA staff conducted fieldwork and participated in the launch events of initiatives in Argentina, Bolivia, and Pakistan.
STUDENT