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Forensic Science

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,B-B,B,C

At least a grade C at A level in either Biology, Human Biology or Chemistry (or equivalent qualification).

Access to HE Diploma

D:15,M:24,P:6

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits with 45 at Level 3. Must include passes in compulsory L3 subjects

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM

T Level

M

T-Level in Science

UCAS Tariff

112-120

We encourage you to outline all your qualifications and achievements in your application to provide us a full picture. Your offer will typically be based on your predicted and/or achieved grades from full level 3 qualifications or above e.g. A levels, BTEC Ext Diploma, Access to HE, etc. Any subject specifics are outlined below in the Further Information section, and these specifics are applicable across all equivalent qualifications. A strong application/performance and appropriate experience will be taken into account where typical criteria is not met.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Forensic science

**Separate the facts from the fiction on this dynamic course. You’ll cover forensic practices such as crime scene investigation, fingerprint analysis and human tissue analysis.**

**KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE:**

- **ACCREDITATION:** Study on a course fully accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science, reflecting its link to industry standards, student-centred approach, excellent facilities and focus on employability upon graduation.

- **FACILITIES:** You'll have access to our specialist Crime Scene House with seven domestic and commercial crime scenes, we also have cars for mock crime scenes, and crown courts for presenting evidence. Our Crime Scene House was designed to such a precise specification that it is regularly used by external clients such as the emergency services for their own staff training.

- **SCIENTIFIC EXPERIENCE:** Hone your scientific skills in our forensic science laboratories. These include an osteology lab for skeletal study, a wet forensic lab, dark room for specialised light searching and photography, an entomology lab for insect investigation, and forensic imaging facilities.

- **EXCELLENT TEACHING:** You’ll be taught by active researchers conducting important studies into fields such as entomology, forensic photography, anthropology, taphonomy, drug analysis, fingerprint detection and enhancement techniques, blood pattern analysis and fire investigations.

- **TAILORED TO YOU:** There are plenty of opportunities to tailor your studies to match your personal interests and career aspirations through our wide selection of optional modules.

**WHAT YOU'LL COVER:**

- You'll cover a range of topics including clinical genetics, trace evidence, forensic analysis, and object marks. You'll also investigate mock crime scenes, analyse evidence in a lab setting and present in court, so that you'll be prepared for the diverse scenarios you are likely to encounter throughout your career.

**HOW YOU'RE ASSESSED:**

- You’ll be assessed through a range of mediums, including formal witness statements and expert testimony, as well as case studies, essays, laboratory reports, portfolios, examinations and presentations.

**YOUR CAREER:**

- Our graduates have gone on to secure roles in areas such as crime scene investigation (CSI), research, forensic intelligence analysis, and toxicology. The degree also provides a firm foundation for postgraduate level learning. Because it is an applied science course, it equips you to progress to qualifications in medicine and can pave the way to MSc, MPhil or PhD study.

**STUDY OPTIONS:**
- This course is also available with a Foundation Year option.

- This course is available with an Industrial Placement Year.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£14,900
per year
International
£14,900
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University of Derby

Department:

Natural Sciences

Read full university profile

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.

54%
Forensic science

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

65%
Staff make the subject interesting
74%
Staff are good at explaining things
54%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
79%
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

75%
Library resources
84%
IT resources
82%
Course specific equipment and facilities
23%
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?

96%
UK students
4%
International students
28%
Male students
72%
Female students
71%
2:1 or above
8%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
E

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.

£17,000
low
Average annual salary
97%
high
Employed or in further education
54%
high
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

41%
Science, engineering and production technicians
14%
Natural and social science professionals
10%
Customer service occupations

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Forensic and archaeological 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.

£19k

£19k

£23k

£23k

£24k

£24k

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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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 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.

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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:

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.

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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

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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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here