Forensic Science (Foundation)
Kingston University
UCAS Code: F411 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Kingston University
UCAS Code: F411 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Access to HE Diploma
Successfully completed and passed with a minimum of 64 UCAS points.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Any subject considered.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Any subject considered.
Any subject considered.
T Level
Any subject considered.
UCAS Tariff
UCAS points from 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications.
About this course
**Reasons to choose Kingston**
- This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) and will renew accreditation in 2025.
- Kingston is ranked top in London for Forensic Science by the Complete University Guide 2025 and the New Scientist Careers Guide 2024.
- 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**
Our four-year integrated foundation year courses are ideal if you have non-traditional or unrelated qualifications or experience, are returning to education or would like some support to prepare for a degree. Subject materials and teaching are tailored to degrees at Kingston. You’ll develop practical, technical and communication skills, and apply knowledge to real-life problems.
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.
We have recently updated our modules to enhance student-centred teaching and align course content with industry needs.
**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:
- Analytical Techniques in Forensic Science
- Crime Scene, Evidence and Law
- Forensic Archaeology
- Forensic Chemistry and Trace Analysis.
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
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Kingston University
Department of Applied and Human Sciences
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Forensic and archaeological sciences
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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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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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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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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