BSc (Hons) Forensic Science

When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

Visit our Forensic Science website for more information on our crime scene facillities and to see what past students thought of studying Forensics at Derby.

In the 2011 National Student Survey, 81% of our students said they were satisfied with the quality of our course. Check out the National Student Survey results.
You'll be studying a course that is fully accredited by the Forensic Science Society, and is also endorsed by Forensic Skillsmark meaning you'll gain all the skills and knowledge you'll need for a successful career in forensic science. When you graduate from the course, you'll also be eligible for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC).
It opens up a range of exciting career opportunities in law, local constabularies, prison services and many more.
Take a work placement as part of the course to get a feel for what it's really like working in this field.
It's a really hands on course, so you'll get lots of practical work using our excellent crime scene training facilities including our new Toyota crime scene car.

About the course

You can take this course either full time or part time.

You'll learn in a variety of ways including: lectures, practical sessions, field trips, crime scene training (using our Crime Scene House and other crime scene training facilities), moot court training, your own study, continuous assessments and exams. You'll be taught by experienced current and former forensic scientists, as well as scientists and other practising professionals.

You'll also keep a continuous personal development portfolio which will help prepare you for life after university.

You'll cover essential forensic practices, including human tissue analysis, fire, hair and fibres, statistics, fingerprints, firearms and ballistics, crime scene investigations, molecular forensic biology and analytical and organic forensic chemistry.

We've got specialist forensic, biological and chemical laboratories, a crime scene house and car facilities, and a moot court, so we'll really give you a solid grounding in forensic sciences. You will be able to practice the whole process of collecting forensic evidence and then be cross-examined in court.

Between your second and third year, you can apply to work in industry which will give you a great opportunity to use your theoretical and practical skills. Placements can be during your summer break, three to four months, or up to a whole year.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

Sonica Devi, as part of her final year research project, found minute traces of cocaine at a number of public phone boxes in the city of Derby.

You could work within the criminal justice system, in local constabularies, the Forensic Science Service or for companies such as Rolls Royce, Scientifics, LCG Forensics and AstraZeneca, for example. Alternatively you could be employed by law firms, private forensic laboratories or insurance companies. Some people go on to teach within secondary or further education by studying our PGCE Primary course.

This course teaches you to be analytical and a lot of what you'll learn is to do with organic chemistry and molecular biology. Because of this, you'll also have the skills to be able to move on to further education afterwards, including medicine qualifications, an MSc, MPhil or PhD.

Sonica Devi has recently graduated and as part of her final year research project, she found minute traces of cocaine at a number of public phone boxes. Find out more.

One of our recent graduates, Nazia Mehrban presented her final year project about the differences found between original and digital signatures and the potential for forgery, at a lunchtime seminar at the House of Commons. Read her full story.

What our students say

One of our current students, Joanna Saddington.

"I have been passionate about the subject since I studied it at college, and I would recommend this course to anyone."
Joanna Saddington, one of our former students

"I was fascinated with the chemistry based modules as well as the wide range of assessment techniques including crime scene to court. My project was drug based which led to me to gain employment with Scientifics working as a drug analyst."
Jonnathan Marshall, one of our former students

"I was constantly given the opportunity to do hands on work both individually and alongside professionals and to be trusted with casework, which greatly increased my confidence."
Hilary Bathgate, one of our former students

Read what more of our students say about studying Forensic Science.

How you'll learn

Formal lectures

Tutorials

Practical work in laboratory and field

Crime-scene house training

Computer-aided study

How you're assessed

Written examination

Coursework

Practical Crime Scene Scenario

Courtroom Evidence Presentation

Fieldtrips

Crime scenes are completed internally and externally to the University site.

Work placements

Between the second and third year there is the chance to work within industry for 3 months to a year. This will give you a unique experience as you enter your final year and will give you a head start when applying for jobs after university. You will also be given the opportunity to learn alongside the professionals.

Anything else?

We offer a wide range of optional modules to allow you to tailor your degree to your own interests and career aspirations. Our programmes have been designed to meet subject standards, student interests and the needs of employers.

Visit our Forensics website

For more information please visit our Forensics website to see case studies on current students, stories on some of our successful gradautes, pictures from fieldtrips, and details of the staff you'll get to meet.

Biology, Zoology and Forensics masterclass

We invited back some of successful graduates, including BBC Producer Kathryn Jeffs to talk to our current biology, zoology and forensics students about life after graduation. View more on the masterclass.

Start dates

If you're from the UK or EU you can apply to study this course in:

September 2012

If you're from a country outside the EU you can apply to study this course full time in:

September 2012

UCAS code

F411

Fees

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

Full time: £7,495 (each year)
Part time: £935 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total).

International students

Full time: £9,975 (each year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2012 and August 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.