Keele University
UCAS Code: FC14 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
BBB in three A levels including B in Chemistry or Biology
Access to HE Diploma
122 UCAS points in an Access to HE Diploma with Chemistry or Biology related content, including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice on whether your chosen course would qualify
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see the Keele website)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
555 in three Higher Levels including 5 in Chemistry or Biology, or 30 points including 5 in Higher Level Chemistry or Biology
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM in any of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas / National Extended Diplomas: Applied Science Forensic and Criminal Investigation
T Level
Merit in any of the following T levels: Health, Healthcare Science, Science
UCAS Tariff
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Are you fascinated by forensic science and intrigued by the mysteries of the human body? Our Forensic Biology BSc bridges these disciplines, equipping you with skills in forensic identification, investigation and analysis, alongside an in-depth understanding of anatomy, physiology, and genetics. You’ll gain hands-on experience gathering, processing, and evaluating forensic evidence in our state-of-the-art labs and authentic crime science facilities, preparing you with the professional skills to excel in the field of forensic biology.
**Why choose this course?**
- Develop your practical and professional skills in our indoor and outdoor crime scene facilities
- Top 10 in the UK for Forensic Science (Complete University Guide, 2025)
- 4th in England for Forensic Science (Guardian University Guide, 2025)
- Gain certifications in expert witness training and obtain a practical endorsement in bioscience laboratory skills
- Use a wide variety of industry-standard instrumentation in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories
Explore the core principles of biology and acquire essential forensic skills with our Forensic Biology BSc. You will develop practical, analytical, problem-solving and research abilities that are highly valued by employers and crucial for a successful career in the field.
Our curriculum covers a range of engaging topics, including forensic chemistry, which examines molecular structure, as well as techniques for recovery and analysis in crime scene investigation (CSI), with a focus on human identification. You’ll also analyse the major physiological systems and anatomical structures of the human body, as well as fundamental biology concepts, from genes and ecosystems to molecular biology.
DNA profiling is explored, and you’ll learn how to confidently interpret, evaluate and present DNA and other forensic evidence to different audiences. You’ll also advance your CSI skills in areas such as blood spatter analysis and drug-related crime, and gain insights into soft tissue anatomy, forensic ecology, veterinary forensics, the processes the body goes through after death, and forensic toxicology.
Optional modules in the programme allow you to tailor your studies to specific interests and deepen your understanding of topics such as genetics, wildlife crime, and how forensics can detect counterfeits, fakes, and forgeries.
A major focus of the programme is developing your hands-on experience. You'll use professional equipment and techniques in well-equipped teaching labs and modern forensic science facilities. Our dedicated crime scene simulation areas include indoor and outdoor scenarios including vehicle and fire examinations and our Crime Scene House. Keele’s unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic environment to apply your theoretical knowledge to real life forensic investigation scenarios.
There are opportunities to enhance your employability with additional certifications in expert witness testimony, endorsement in bioscience laboratory skills, the option to undertake a work placement year, complete a flexible work placement module, or gain experience in the field of teaching.
**About Keele**
Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university. We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level. Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.
Modules
For a list of indicative modules please visit the course page on the Keele University website.
The Uni
Keele University
School of Chemistry and Physical Science
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
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
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Forensic biology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£29k
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...
This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Course location and department:
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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?
Have a question about this info? Learn more here