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Top 10 for Forensic Science

Our Forensic Science courses are ranked 7th best in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2025.

Key facts

Entry requirements

112/120 UCAS or DMM/DDM

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

BSc: F410 MSci: F411

Institution code

D26

Duration

BSc - three years full-time, four years with a placement MSci - four years full-time, five years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,750

Additional costs

Entry requirements

112/120 UCAS or DMM/DDM

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

BSc: F410 MSci: F411

Duration

BSc - three years full-time, four years with a placement MSci - four years full-time, five years with a placement

Explore the science of solving crimes with ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥â€™s Forensic Science BSc/MSci – hands‑on labs, expert teaching, and real‑world investigative skills await

We offer more than a degree — every course is designed with employability and real-world experience at its core.

ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ is one of the few universities where you’ll benefit from a unique block teaching approach.

This course is professionally accredited, meaning your learning is informed by current industry practice.

Forensic Science brings science to the heart of justice, using cutting-edge techniques to recover, analyse, and present evidence. If you enjoy solving scientific problems, working with advanced technology, and gaining real-world skills, this course could be your perfect fit.

Choose between the three-year BSc or the four-year integrated MSci pathway—allowing you to shape your studies around your career goals.

In year one, you will build a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, and key forensic techniques. Learn the principles of crime scene analysis, forensic photography, and investigative essentials through our Essentials of Forensic Investigations module.

In year two, you’ll apply your knowledge and deepen your understanding with modules like Bodies, Tissues, and Fluids and Issues in Criminal Justice, exploring topics such as drugs, trace evidence, and the role of forensic science in the legal system.

In year three, you will advance your expertise and tackle complex topics including DNA Profiling, Fire and Toxicology, and Forensic Case Studies. You’ll also conduct an independent research project to refine your practical and analytical skills.

In year 4 (MSci only), you will focus your learning in Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, or Criminalistics, while completing advanced master's-level projects aligned with your professional ambitions.

Key features

  • Top 10 for Forensic Science: Our Forensic Science courses are ranked 7th best in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2025.
  • Industry-informed teaching: Designed in collaboration with Leicestershire Police, our courses meet professional standards and reflect current industry needs.
  • Professionally accredited: The BSc is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
  • Boost your career: Students have been placed in highly competitive placement settings such as with the Metropolitan Police, East Midlands Special Operations unit (EMSO) and with internationally recognised companies such as Pfizer.
  • Hands-on experience in real-world facilities: Train in our bespoke crime scene house, mock courtrooms, and cutting-edge laboratories to simulate real investigative environments. 
  • Global experience: Gain unique insights with ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Global, from uncovering evidence of human rights abuses in Guatemala to attending the New York Supreme Court.
  • Boost your employability: Learn from industry leaders like Churchill Fellow Leisa Nichols-Drew, specialising in forensic investigations of knife crime.
  • Broaden your horizons: Graduates thrive in top roles at the Home Office, GCHQ, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and beyond.
Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments – rather than lots of exams at the end of the year – and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging. Read more about block teaching.

What you will study

Along with the modules listed below, you will also complete a Professional Portfolio throughout all the initial 3 years of study. This module enables you to take ownership of your continual personal and professional development throughout each academic year with the use of an e-portfolio and personal tutor sessions. 

Forensic, Professional and Quantitative Skills

Helps you to develop some of the necessary crime scene processing, imaging and photography, quantitative and professional science skills required by practicing forensic scientists. 

Foundations of Biology for Forensic Science

Considers the fundamentals of biology and molecular biology and is designed to provide a thorough introduction and foundation to all relevant aspects of forensic biology. 

Essentials of Forensic Investigations

Provides an overview of the breadth and scope of forensic science. It outlines the different branches of forensic analysis and puts them in the context of crime scenes and evidence collection. This module also considers the ever-growing discipline of digital forensics. 

Foundations of Chemistry for Forensic Science

Considers the fundamentals of chemistry and the core aspects of theoretical and practical forensic chemistry. As with the Foundations of Biology for Forensic Science module, it serves as an excellent foundation to the more in-depth modules in later years. 

Analytical Forensic Chemistry

Considers the instrumental techniques used in forensic analytical chemistry and their applications to real-life practice. This module covers both organic and inorganic analysis. 

Issues in Criminal Justice

Provides an introduction to English criminal law, courts, evidence and procedure. The judicial system defines the broader context of forensic science and as such an understanding of the criminal justice system is crucial for any forensic scientist. 

Bodies, Tissues and Fluids

Further develops the key principles and ideas of molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry. The module also develops new areas associated with bodies, tissues and fluids.

Operation Vestigium - Drugs and Trace Evidence Casework

Takes an operational and casework approach to the analysis and evaluation of drugs of abuse and trace materials such as gunshot residue, glass, fibres, paint and soil which continue to play an important role in modern forensic science. 

As part of this course, you will have the option to complete a paid placement year which offers invaluable professional experience.

Our award winning Careers Team can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.

Forensic Case Studies

Seeks to develop student’s knowledge through the use of theoretical and practical forensic case studies. The module considers how forensic science should, and should not be used in tackling crime and also examines broader issues both within and outside of the forensic science discipline. 

Operation Ignis – A Fire and Toxicology based investigation

A combined module, teaching two specialist areas of forensic science including the investigation of fire and explosion scenes and the area of forensic toxicology. Both elements are brought together via the investigation of a complex crime scene.  

Research Project and Professional Skills

Providing an opportunity to lead and direct a piece of independent research in an area of forensic science, under the guidance of a member of academic staff. 

DNA Profiling and the Presentation of Evidence

Covers all aspects of DNA profiling, including the culmination of molecular biology and the genetics themes of forensic biology. In addition, you will produce an expert witness report and undergo a realistic cross-examination in our court room. 

Specialist Pathway module - choose one of three options

Choose one of:

  • Advanced Concepts in Forensic Biology, 
  • Advanced Concepts in Forensic Chemistry or 
  • Advanced Concepts in Criminalistics. 

The specialist pathways modules give you the opportunity to specialise, focusing your studies towards one of three subject areas according to your career aspirations and subject interests. These modules are all designed to teach the theoretical and practical aspects of a range of contemporary techniques and practices in your selected specialism, ensuring that you are equipped with the in-depth knowledge and skills increasingly required by a demanding industry 

Research Project and Professional Skills 2

You will have the opportunity to lead and direct an advanced independent research project allied to your choice of specialist pathway. Although you will be well-supported throughout your journey, you will be expected to take much greater ownership of the research process and in the process will gain a number of key skills vital in real-world practice.

Contemporary Issues in Forensic Science

This module explores a range of contemporary themes relating to the practice of forensic science in both the UK and internationally. During the module you will consider the current forensic science landscape, legislation and regulatory frameworks, quality standards as well as human factors and advanced aspects of forensic strategy, interpretation and presentation of evidence.   

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Your precise timetable will depend on your modules, however, you will normally benefit from up to 22 hours of teaching materials each week, which may consist of asynchronous and live lecture content, seminars, tutorials, practical laboratory sessions and workshops. You will also be expected to devote a considerable amount of time to independent study, typically 18 - 20 hours per week.

Practical work forms a large part of teaching and includes exercises at our mock crime house facility. You will also learn from visiting lecturers involved in forensic science. Assessments include coursework, practical reports, exams, phase tests, and written and oral presentations.

Teaching contact hours

Typically you will have around 22 hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Personal tutorial/small group teaching: approximately 2 hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week

Medium group teaching: approximately 12 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week

Large group teaching: approximately 2 hours of large group discussions and lecture style teaching

Flexible teaching content: approximately 6 hours of screencast content each week, allowing you to learn when it best suits you

Personal study: approximately 20 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using hand-outs, online activities, etc.

Our facilities

Forensic Science facilities

Substantial investment in Health and Life Sciences has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

We offer dedicated high-end, state of the art equipment, facilities and laboratories including a mock crime scene house and a crime studio – the ideal opportunity for realistic training in crime-scene processing and evidence recovery in both domestic and more industrial environments.

Our physical evidence, analytical science and DNA analysis laboratories include a variety of specialist industry-standard equipment which includes forensic microscopy, imaging, trace evidence, finger-mark development and other high-end analysis systems.

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What makes us special

Students looking down over a city from a high balcony

ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Students on this course have previously undertaken ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Global trips to places such as Guatemala, where they witnessed the work of experts from the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, an organisation that has carried out important work in helping to unearth human rights abuses and genocide in the Central American country.

Students have also visited New York, where they were taken from the crime scene, to the forensic laboratory and all the way to the court, thanks to inside access to some of the USA’s most renowned crime investigation and judicial centres.

Where we could take you

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Placements

As part of this course you will have the opportunity to complete a paid placement, which offers invaluable professional experience working in a scientific environment. Students have been placed in highly competitive placement settings such as with the Metropolitan Police, East Midlands Special Operations unit (EMSO) and with internationally recognised companies such as Pfizer.

Our Careers Team can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.

Forensic Science student Beatriz Silva helped to fight against serious crime during her placement as a research assistant at the National Crime Agency (NCA). Beatriz says, “This year has helped me develop many skills, such as data analysis and the use of databases. It has also helped me boost my confidence as a professional."

Forensic Image03

Graduate careers

Our graduates go on to work in a variety of areas including law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene and scientific support work, analytical chemistry, general scientific analysis, health and safety and the insurance industry.

Our graduates have gone on to work for world-leading forensic science employers including the Home Office, The Forensic Science Regulator, DSTL, GCHQ, National Crime Agency, Eurofins, Cellmark Forensics, Key Forensic Services, Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Reckitt Benckiser, 3M and many others.

Course specifications

Course title

Forensic Science

Award

BSc (Hons)/MSci

UCAS code

BSc: F410 MSci: F411

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

BSc - three years full-time, four years with a placement MSci - four years full-time, five years with a placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,750

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Additional costs

Entry requirements

GCSEs

  • Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including: English and Maths

Plus one of the following:

A-Level

  • A minimum of 112 UCAS points/(120 UCAS points for MSci applicants), from at least two A levels with a science subject (from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Applied Sciences) at grade C or above

BTEC

  • BTEC Extended Diploma in Science BTEC – DMM/(DDM for MSci applicants)
  • BTEC National Diploma in Science BTEC - DMM/(DDM for MSci applicants)

International Baccalaureate

  • 26+ (28+ for MSci applicants) with 6 higher level points in a science subject

Access course

  • Pass QAA Accredited AHE with 112 UCAS points/(120 UCAS points for MSci applicants) with at least 15 level 3 credits at distinction and 30 level 3 credits at merit.

English Language and Maths GCSE required as separate qualifications.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 7 overall when you start the course is essential, with a 7.0 in all components except writing which should be at least 6.5.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

Contextual offer

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find out more about contextual offers.