Forensic Science
Entry requirements
A level
Two Science A2s, to include Biology and/or Chemistry, with minimum of grade C or above. Other Science subjects considered as second science include Physics and Mathematics
Access to HE Diploma
Accepted Access to HE diplomas include: Science Applied Science; Biological and Health Science; Health and Human Science which must include Biology units Equivalent of 112 UCAS points to include a minimum grade of Merit in all Biology and Chemistry modules.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include a minimum of 5 in Higher Level Biology and/or Chemistry as well as 5 in Standard Level English and Maths
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Equivalent of 112 UCAS points to include Biology and/or Chemistry, Applied Science, Physics or Mathematics at a minimum of H3.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Accepted Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma or Diploma topics accepted as subject specific: Applied Biology, Applied Science, Applied Science [Forensic or Medical Science] which must include Biology and chemistry units (e.g. Biomedical Science pathway or Analytical and Forensic Science pathway)
Equivalent of 112 UCAS points to include Chemistry and/or Biology, Physics or Mathematics at grade C.
T Level
UCAS Tariff
UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A-Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. General Studies not accepted.
About this course
**Reasons to choose Kingston**
- This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS).
- Kingston is ranked No.9 in the UK overall for Forensic Science, with the second highest graduate outcomes nationally (Complete University Guide 2023).
- We’ve received four commendations from the CSFS for our cutting-edge forensic technology and the innovative student training programmes.
- Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.
**About this course**
This course prepares you for a career as a forensic scientist. Case studies, evidence interpretation, fieldwork and laboratory training cover all aspects of investigating a criminal offence. These include crime scene processing, forensic archaeology, drugs, toxicology, DNA profiling, body fluids, entomology, fibres, fire investigation and ballistics. You’ll also have an introduction to criminal law, which includes cross-examination in a Crown Court setting.
Specialist topics include blood pattern analysis (BPA), gunshot residue detection, counterfeits and forgeries, and the analysis of trace evidence. When you graduate you’ll be eligible to apply to be an Associate of the CSFS. In addition, this course also provides additional industry recognised certificates in BPA, forensic toxicology and DNA profiling at no extra cost.
**Future Skills**
Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.
**Career opportunities**
You’ll be prepared to work in a range of environments, including forensic laboratories, policing, analytical chemistry laboratories, hospitals and private consultancies.
Modules
Example modules
-Crime Scene Evidence and Law
-Forensic Chemistry and Trace Analysis
-Forensic Archaeology
-Advanced Biological Evidence Techniques.
For a full list of modules please visit the Kingston university course webpage.
Assessment methods
Teaching includes lectures, seminars, workshops and practicals using specialist teaching areas such as our scene-of-crime house, private bone collection and state of the art analytical laboratories.
Forms of assessment include end-of-module exams, coursework exercises, laboratory reports, and presentations.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Kingston University
Department of Applied and Human Sciences
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.
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
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Teaching Excellence Framework (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.
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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:
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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:
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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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