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Keele University

UCAS Code: FC14 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Entry requirements

A level

B,B,B

BBB in three A levels including B in Chemistry or Biology

Access to HE Diploma

D:30

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

30

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

DDM in any of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas / National Extended Diplomas: Applied Science Forensic and Criminal Investigation

T Level

M

Merit in any of the following T levels: Health, Healthcare Science, Science

UCAS Tariff

120

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 | 2025

Other options

4 years | Sandwich with time abroad | 2025

4 years | Sandwich including industrial placement | 2025

Subject

Forensic biology

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

Course location:

Keele University

Department:

School of Chemistry and Physical Science

Read full university profile

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.

88%
Forensic biology

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

81%
Staff make the subject interesting
90%
Staff are good at explaining things
69%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
83%
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

86%
Library resources
86%
IT resources
91%
Course specific equipment and facilities
59%
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?

89%
UK students
11%
International students
31%
Male students
69%
Female students
91%
2:1 or above
11%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
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.

£25,000
med
Average annual salary
90%
high
Employed or in further education
70%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

16%
Science, engineering and production technicians
14%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
11%
Natural and social science professionals

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

£19k

£29k

£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...

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Higher entry requirements
place
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Biology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2025
UCAS Points: 128

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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