Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation (Foundation Entry)
UCAS Code: F756
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
64 UCAS points at A2
64 UCAS points
GCSE/National 4/National 5
5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Maths and English or equivalent. Equivalent qualifications are Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English or Level 3 Key Skills in Maths and Communication.
64 UCAS points at Higher Level subjects
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
64 UCAS points
64 UCAS points
UCAS Tariff
About this course
**Course Overview**
- The Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation Foundation Entry Degree is a solid, widely respected route into the highly competitive field of forensic science and criminal investigation.
- Foundation Entry degree courses are designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree, but don’t have the necessary formal qualifications to directly enter their chosen Honours degree programme.
- Learning from former CSIs, you’ll develop a broad understanding of forensic science from a legal perspective and, in your second and third years, you’ll get the chance to work alongside local police CSI and scientific support teams. Our strategic alliance with Lancashire Constabulary - the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy (LFSA) - offers a wealth of opportunity for gaining vital experience and practical work placements in real-world operational environments.
- You’ll choose either crime scene investigation or forensic anthropology and follow that stream throughout your study. You’ll learn all aspects of the law relating to forensic science, how to recognise, enhance and recover all evidence types from crime scenes, and how to analyse that evidence in the laboratory.
**Why study with us**
- Our course is mapped against National Occupational Standards for CSIs so you could even start work in the field while you’re studying.
- Guest speakers are brought in to talk about other areas including law, ballistics and DNA, and alumni will talk to you about their career path and how to get on.
- Learn from forensic practitioners who’ve worked at the highest level and from academics involved in the cutting-edge research underpinning and advancing forensic analysis.
**Further Information**
- This course offers an optional 48-week sandwich placement in industry between the third and fourth years.
- Placement years are an invaluable opportunity to help consolidate your first two years learning, gain experience, and radically enhance your employability.
- Experience gained during a study placement often improves final year performance and gives you an advantage when competing for graduate jobs. We support you in preparation for this via the University Careers Team, who can help you plan and develop your CV and applications, and hold practice interviews.
Modules
Year 1: Essential Study Skills for Higher Education, Developing Academic Knowledge, Introduction to Forensic Science, Introduction to Current Legal Issues, Introduction to Geography and Environmental Management, Investigation Project, Archaeology Project, Key Themes in Archaeology, Professional Policing, Introduction to Engineering Analysis, Introduction to History
Year 2: Compulsory modules; Introduction to the Law and Police Powers, Offences against the Person and Public Order, Investigation Skills 1, Study Skills for Criminal Investigation, Volume Crime Scene Science. Optional modules; Crime Scene Photography, Forensic Anthropology
Year 3: Compulsory modules; Investigation Skills II, Offences Relating to Property & Weapons, Criminalistics, Forensic Practice. Optional modules; Advanced Crime Scene Investigation & Advanced Photography, Forensic Anthropology & Death Science
Year 4: Compulsory modules; Application of Forensic Science, Dissertation. Optional modules - choose one; Fraud, Cybercrime, Major Crime Inquiries, International & Humanitarian Criminal Investigation, and either of Crime Scene Management and CSM Support Module, Human Remains Recovery and Forensic Taphonomy
Tuition fees
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The Uni
University of Central Lancashire
School of Natural 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
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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.
General, applied and forensic 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
£20k
£22k
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.
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