Forensic Science FdSc
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): F411
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Two years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
-
Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
It’s all about the way you learn. Not just in lectures or out of textbooks, but by getting hands-on in our state-of-the-art forensic science facilities.
You’ll start out by developing legal, biological and chemical analysis skills, which are practical in nature. You’ll then get plenty of hands-on opportunities to apply your learning, both in a professional lab and crime scene environment.
If your ambitions are to study for a BSc degree, we’ll support you and give you opportunities so you can fast track to our BSc (Hons) Forensic Science course at the end of your first year.
-
NTU is 4th in the UK for Forensic Science in the Complete University Guide 2023 -
NTU is 2nd in the UK for Forensic Science (Guardian University League Table 2023)
What you’ll study
As well as considering the underpinning scientific knowledge, you'll develop legal, biological and chemical analysis skills applicable to the subject.
Upon completion you can enrol on the second year of NTU's BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science and gain an honours degree within an extra two years.
A fast-track option also exists. Students who perform well in Year One will normally be offered the opportunity to transfer directly into the second year of the BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science.
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
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 Forensics
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.
Forensic Practice
You will take on the role of an employee of the Nottingham Trent Forensic Laboratory and will complete a portfolio of work to demonstrate your skills and knowledge for future employers. You will get hands-on experience of laboratory based work including forensic recording and report writing. This will give you a greater understanding of the principles used in a working forensic science laboratory.
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
You will have around ten hours per week of scheduled contact time. The remainder of the time is for self-directed learning, including library work and research. We have an open door policy, which means that contact time is actually higher than scheduled.
You will be assessed on a variety of components:
Coursework and Practical
- Assignments
- Dissertation
- Group projects
- Case studies
- Oral presentations
- Laboratory assessments and reports
Written
- Exams
- Written tests
Contact hours
Year 1 - lectures/seminars/workshops (28%) and independent study (72%)
Year 2 - lectures/seminars/workshops (25%) and independent study (75%)
How you’re assessed
Year 1 - coursework (70%), written (20%) and practical (10%)
Year 2 - coursework (100%)
Careers and employability
Your career development
Most FdSc Forensic Science students continue studying to BSc level. Alternatively, you'll be well suited to work in a laboratory environment for a forensic service provider or in education.
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 secured roles at companies including:
- Derbyshire Constabulary
- De Montfort University
- Reckett Benckiser
- Nottinghamshire Police
- Vision Security Group
- Boots
- Premier Analytical Services
- Surrey Police
They have gone into a wide variety of job roles including:
- Forensic Services Assistant
- Digital Evidence Recovery Technician
- Forensic Services Lab Officer
- Police Officer
- Lab Technician in Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Assistant
- Pharmacy Development Analyst
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.
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
- 64 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent including Chemistry and another Science or numerate subject* grade D
- GCSE Maths, English 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.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other qualifications and experience
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.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
This course does not attract Tier 4 sponsorship.
- 64 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent including Chemistry and another Science or numerate subject* grade D
- GCSE Maths, English 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 on telephone +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.
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.