Forensic Science BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): F410 (full-time); 350H (sandwich)
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Three years full-time / four years with placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This course offers the perfect combination of theory and practice. Whether that’s getting hands-on in our crime scene house and specialist forensics labs, taking part in real-life crime scenarios or taking a placement, we’ll help you develop the confidence and skills employers want to see.
As well as the support you’ll get from our experienced teaching staff, practitioners and technicians, you’ll also learn in small lab groups to develop and refine your technical skills.
Your studies will be set against a backdrop of the English legal system, putting your learning into context. You’ll start by learning about forensic processes and developing your chemistry and biological science skills, applying them to complex investigations to get an insight into professional crime scene investigations and forensic science.
If you have any questions about our Forensic Science course, you can now chat to our experienced lecturers and course leaders through Unibuddy.
Why choose this course?
- It is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
- Studying Forensic Science will give you key practical skills. You will take part in crime scene investigation workshops and learn how to process crime scene evidence in the laboratory.
- Your study will follow a crime-scene-to-court approach to forensic analysis.
- You'll have the option to do a 12-month work placement.
- You can gain an international perspective on forensics by taking an exchange with our partner University in Canada.
International Exchange
Fancy getting a different perspective on forensics? We have a partner university in Canada where our students can spend a year experiencing a different culture and alternative aspects of forensic science and law. Going on an exchange can broaden your career horizons, and enhance your employability both in the UK and internationally.
What you’ll study
Who will teach me?
The Forensics team is comprised of academic and support staff that are subject experts in forensic science, legal issues and crime scene investigation. Many of our staff have had relevant industrial and other external forensics experience and training.
Visit our academic team pages to find out more about our approach to teaching, our partners and research interests.
Industry links
Our Forensics team work with a wide range of organisations including:
- East Midlands Special Operations Unit - Forensic Services (EMSOU - FS)
- The Home Office
- HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs)
- Dutch Police and Fire Service
- Forensic Focus
- Foster and Freeman
- Nottinghamshire Police
NTU was my first choice because the course covers a wide range of topics, runs guest lectures / talks and has an emphasis on practical experience. This included the use of the crime scene house and the opportunity to include a placement year. I was lucky enough to be the first person to go to the Forensic Institute in Krakow, Poland for my placement.
Upon graduating with a first in Forensic Science, I was immediately employed by Scottish Police Services Authority's (SPSA) Forensic Services in Edinburgh as a forensic technician. Two years later I became a forensic examiner (drugs) and then for the last year and a half I've been in my current role.
Joni Walker, BSc (Hons) Forensic Science
Now working as a Forensic / Reporting Scientist (toxicology)
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
Introduction to Forensic Biology
Gain an introduction to the key areas that underpin the complex biological aspects of forensic science. You’ll write scientific reports and carry out oral presentations, both of which are important skills required of a forensic scientist.
Technical Skills for Forensic Science
This module will develop your understanding of professional standards in forensic science, with particular emphasis on the development of your technical and digital skills, including use of an e-portfolio to demonstrate your competency in these areas.
The Forensic Process
Develop your professional awareness of forensic science and the English legal system. Examine the role of the forensic scientist and law enforcement agencies, and even experience live trials.
Introduction to Forensic Analysis
Learn basic chemical principles including chromatography, applied spectroscopy, statistical tests, electroanalytical techniques, and appropriate specialist methods.
Forensic Chemistry
Study theoretical and practical chemistry in relation to forensic science, including concepts of periodicity, bonding and structure, functional group chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
Professional Skills for Forensic Science
Develop your skills in mathematical sciences. This module will help to train you, as a forensic scientist, in the essential calculated and logical thought processes needed to solve problems.
Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Photography
Learn about crime scene investigation and its role within the forensic process, leading onto forensic image processing and the procedures and legislation attached to these areas.
Biological Techniques in Forensic Science
This module will form a platform of knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills in the application of bioscience techniques and their relevance to forensic science.
Ethics and Law for Forensic Science
Gain a professional awareness of the law governing police powers, the substantive criminal law and the law of evidence, including an analysis of law and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Forensic Casework Examination
Develop an awareness of the application of laboratory examination methods in forensic science, enabling practical application of relevant techniques to casework problems.
Forensic Analysis
Building on Year One, you will focus on interfering sample matrices, quantitative and qualitative identification of multicomponent samples, and measurements under non-ideal conditions.
Choose one optional module from:
Introduction to Suspicious Death Investigation
Microbial Structure, Identification and Distribution
Explore the function of important subcellular structures of micro-organisms, as well as the taxonomy and identification of the main groups of bacteria, fungi and viruses relating to forensic investigations.
Forensic Image processing
Optional year-long work placement. If you are not taking a placement you will progress directly to your final year in year three.
Drugs of Abuse
This module focuses on drugs of abuse and illustrates the forensic applications of a range of analytical techniques. Learn about
the legislation covering substances and their classifications.
Research Project
You will develop research skills required for independent final year study: formulating a research question, conducting a literature
review and making a critical appraisal of published research work.
Molecular Techniques for Identification
You will develop an understanding of the role of DNA-based analysis, looking at the various techniques and issues relating to the successful recovery and analysis of DNA samples.
Choose one from the following optional modules:
Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
Forensic Microbiology
Environmental Forensic Assessment
Choose one from the following optional modules:
Communicating Science and Technology
An opportunity for you to gain valuable transferable skills working as a ‘student-tutor’ with teachers in local schools or to work on a community-based project.
Ballistics and Firearms
Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
You will be assessed on a variety of components, including:
coursework and practical
- assignments
- dissertation
- group projects
- case studies
- oral presentations
- laboratory assessments
- reports
written
- exams
- written tests
Contact hours
Year 1 - lectures/seminars/workshops (28%) and independent study (72%)
Year 2 - lectures/seminars/workshops (27%) and independent study (73%)
Year 3 - lectures/seminars/workshops (23%) and independent study (77%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study
How you’re assessed
Year 1 - coursework (70%), written (20%), and practical (10%)
Year 2 - coursework (49%) and written (33%), and practical (18%)
Year 3 - coursework (60%), written 20%), and practical (20%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study
Careers and employability
Your career development
Employers in the fields of chemistry, biology and physics as well as forensic science highly value graduates with a strong background in:
- scientific investigation
- the reconstruction of events
- the presentation of findings.
These skills are invaluable for careers in:
- forensic science
- law enforcement (for example, the police, Customs and Excise, immigration and fraud investigation)
- academic research.
Our recent graduates have achieved the following careers:
- Derbyshire Constabulary – forensic services assistant
- De Montfort University – microbiology lab technician
- Reckett Benckiser – analytical assistant
- Nottinghamshire Police – police constable
- Harlan Sera Limited – laboratory technician
- Boots – pharmacy development analyst
- Premier Analytical Services – microscopist
- Surrey Police – intelligence processing assistant
- Nanosight – particle physicist.
Many graduates also choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Excellent placement opportunities
Placements
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent Chemistry students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including Nottinghamshire and Cumbria Police Forces, Anthony Nolan Trust and the NHS. They secured varied roles such as technicians in pathology and chemistry labs, Collision Investigation Support Volunteer, Digital Forensics Intern and Student Cyber Security Analyst.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
Find out more about work placements.
Campus and facilities
You will have access to a range of first-class facilities and will develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the graduate employment market.
Crime Scene Training Facility
This is a typical residential property based on-campus and used exclusively as a crime scene investigation training facility. The rooms are set up to replicate a range of realistic crime scene scenarios, ranging from burglaries and assaults to searches for illegal substances. You will:
- take on the role of crime scene examiner
- develop your investigation, collection and analysis techniques.
Ballistics Laboratory
You will have access to a large reference collection of spent and inert shotgun, rifle, pistol and revolver ammunition to train in ammunition recognition.
The focal point of the Ballistics Laboratory is the comparison microscope, which you will use to identify the characteristics of spent cartridge cases and bullets recovered from crime scenes.
You will have access to ammunition and firearms identification databases, which are the same as those used by UK ballistics experts and firearms examiners.
Document Examination Laboratory
You will learn how to use the video spectral comparator (VSC) to determine the authenticity of security documents such as:
- passports
- identity cards
- currency.
You will also learn how to recover indented writing evidence from documents using the electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA). A wide of photographic stands and specialist light sources are available for use in photographing a range of evidence types that have been recovered from crime scenes. All Forensic Science students are trained in digital photography and image processing.
Entry requirements
120 UCAS Tariff points
What are we looking for?
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications, including an A-level grade C equivalent in both chemistry and another science or numerate subject*; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM, including relevant chemistry and another science or numerate modules; and
- GCSEs – English, Maths and Science grade C / 4
* we will accept biology / human biology, physics, maths / further maths, core maths, use of maths, environmental science, physical education and sport science.
Other qualifications and experience
We consider equivalent qualifications and combinations, please see UCAS course search for details and use our calculator to help you work out how many UCAS points your qualifications relate to.
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
As well as assessing your application and qualifications, we use contextual data and information to make offers for this course. Depending on your circumstances, we may make you an offer up to two grades below the standard entry criteria. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions and Enquiries Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
What are we looking for?
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications, including an A-level grade C equivalent in both chemistry and another science or numerate subject*; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM, including relevant chemistry and another science or numerate modules; and
- GCSEs – English, Maths and Science grade C / 4
* we will accept biology / human biology, physics, maths / further maths, core maths, use of maths, environmental science, physical education and sport science.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What do the course fees cover?
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £30.
A deposit is required for laboratory lockers (approximately £5)
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. See our fees for 2022 entry.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
What do the course fees cover?
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £30.
A deposit is required for laboratory lockers (approximately £5)
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.