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Forensic Investigations

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,C

Excludes General Studies.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30

The Access to HE Diploma in a science or health subject to include 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

27

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM

Scottish Higher

C,C,C,C,D

UCAS Tariff

112

[1] 4 qualifications for tariff points allowed [2] May also include AS level and EPQ [3] Specific subject not required

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Forensic science

**Forensic investigation is an exciting and challenging area of study, which involves an understanding of investigative techniques including the interpretation and presentation of evidence.**

The course provides the breadth of skills and techniques which could enable you to pursue diverse careers including those in fraud management, digital forensics, social media and other investigatory roles.

- There is a valuable element of practical work and our course touches upon a range of investigative techniques.

- We focus on providing a practical experience, using real-life case studies and scenarios, work placements, industry visits and skills development, as well as traditional academic approaches*.

**Key Course Benefits**

- Our comprehensive curriculum covers investigative skills, the law, interviewing techniques, forensic science, investigation management, and legal process of enquiry, crime scene analysis, fraud investigation, digital forensics, surveillance and the evaluation of evidence. 

- Use of ethical hacking facilities for digital forensics and investigation using social media and access to well-equipped laboratory facilities for various scientific techniques based in the state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building*. 

-  Experience of crime scene management and access to a crime scene house and courtroom where students will actively participate in court room proceedings. 

-  Regular expert guest lecturers from professionals in their field who provide insight into the numerous employability options available (subject to availability). 

*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.

Modules

Year One
In the first year, the curriculum allows you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline where you will develop knowledge and skills to do with criminal and civil law, investigative practice, forensic science and forensic interviewing, among others.

Year One Modules
Criminal and Civil Law - 20 credits
Investigative Practice - 20 credits
Critical and Digital Communication - 20 credits
Introduction to Forensic Science - 20 credits
Forensic Interviewing - 20 credits
Data Collection and Presentation Skills - 20 credits

Year Two
In year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: crime scene analysis and the understanding of evidence, fraud investigation, 3D spatial reconstruction and digital forensics, among others.

Year Two Modules
Research Methods - 20 credits
Spatial Reconstruction - 20 credits
Forensic Crime Scene Analysis - 20 credits
Understanding Evidence - 20 credits
Basic Digital Forensics - 20 credits
Fraud Investigation - 20 credits

Placement Year
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,250. For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Final Year
Your final year aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of your dissertation supervisor and Academic Personal Tutor.

Final Year Modules
Advanced Forensic Crime Scene Analysis - 20 credits
Specialist Inquiry - 20 credits
Surveillance Studies - 20 credits
Situational Analysis - 20 credits
Individual Research Project - 40 credits

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content. For full module details please check the course page on the Coventry University website.

Assessment methods

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

Phase tests
Essays
Group work
Presentations
Reports
Projects
Digital storyboards
Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Coventry University

Department:

School of Life Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

94%
Forensic science

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Forensic and archaeological sciences

Teaching and learning

97%
Staff make the subject interesting
99%
Staff are good at explaining things
94%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
90%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

89%
Library resources
92%
IT resources
93%
Course specific equipment and facilities
82%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

83%
UK students
17%
International students
31%
Male students
69%
Female students
82%
2:1 or above
13%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

D
D
C

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Forensic and archaeological sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£18,500
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education
47%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

14%
Science, engineering and production technicians
10%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
9%
Other elementary services occupations

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Forensic and archaeological sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£18k

£18k

£22k

£22k

£24k

£24k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth
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BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 120-136
Nearby University
De Montfort University | Leicester
Forensic Science
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112
Same University
Coventry University | Coventry
Forensic Science
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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