Course Summary

Benefit from a team of research-active academics and experts who work at the forefront of the field and who use interactive and practical teaching approaches to bring theory and practice to life Gain a specialist degree in a rapidly growing field with a current skills shortage in the marketplace Learn how to successfully present your evidence in written format and orally within a mock trial Enhance your employability with the opportunity to complete a work placement year with a relevant organisation Access a wide range of specialist software and tools including a range of laboratories, a dedicated crime scene house and a taphonomic facility with a licence to carry out decomposition studies Are you a keen scientist with an eye for detail? The latest addition to the University of Winchester’s Forensics’ portfolio is a fascinating degree in the fast-evolving environment of Forensic Science. It joins existing programmes in Forensic Investigation, and Cyber Crime and Forensic Investigation. Like the other programmes, the Forensic Science degree will offer modules that give you a firm grounding in the theoretical and practical aspects of crime scene investigation, evidence analysis and expert witness skills. But in addition, you will be offered specific modules in chemistry, molecular biology and toxicology. The multidisciplinary nature of the subject is further explored through aspects of physics, mathematics and statistics, and you will be exposed to a number of specialist topics, such as anthropology, archaeology, entomology and linguistics. During your three years studying Forensic Science, you will have the opportunity to attend mock crime scenes, to recover and analyse forensic evidence, and to present your results in a variety of ways, such as expert witness reports and oral and poster presentations. You will encounter a large variety of evidence types and learn from real forensic practitioners how to examine and interpret the evidence. The programme will include a significant amount of laboratory work in order to ensure you gain competence in the selection and use of a range of methods used in the location, identification, recovery, examination, comparison, extraction and scientific analysis of commonly encountered physical, chemical and biological materials. Teaching takes place through a variety of methods, including small group seminars, field work and laboratory practicals. You will gain valuable practical skills and develop your independent thinking by working under crime scene conditions and undertaking evidence collection using the universities facilities such as new laboratory, taphonomic facility and a proposed crime scene house. In Year 1, you study key issues in forensic investigation and begin to develop your own research and analytical skills. Core modules include History of Forensic Science, Introduction to Forensic Evidence, Non-Biological Evidence, Biological Evidence, Contemporary Issues, Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Academic and Employment Skills. In Year 2, you explore modules on Forensic Medicine, Research Methods, Practical Skills, Forensic DNA Evidence, Forensic Ecology, Geoforensics and Forensic Toxicology. In your final year, you will study modules in Crime Scene Investigation and Court Room Skills, and carry out an extended research project of your own design. This enables you to specialise in your chosen field of research, under the guidance of your supervisor. Key transferable skills are gained throughout the course, which are important for employability and those entering further education. These include the ability to communicate findings through oral and poster presentations, to write detailed and clear laboratory logs and expert witness reports, and to present evidence orally under cross-examination.

Course Details - Modules

Modules are not listed for this Course.

Course Details – Assessment Method

Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.

How to Apply

26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application Codes

Course code: F430

Institution code: W76

Campus Name: Main Site

Campus code:

Points of Entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements

An A Level A*-C pass in Biology or Chemistry is required. A GCSE A*-C or 9-4 in English Language is required.

We welcome applications from students who are completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma. We normally look for applicants to have studied a course that is in a similar subject and offers are usually made in line with our published tariff point range.

Applicants are required to hold a minimum of 2 x A-level or equivalent qualifications (e.g. 2 x BTEC National Subsidiary Diplomas) and we accept all A-level subjects, including Critical Thinking, General Studies and own-language A-levels. We welcome applicants who have completed the Extended Project (EP/EPQ) and points obtained from this qualification will be included in any offer. In addition, we accept a maximum of 32 points from level 3 qualifications below A2 that are included in the tariff (e.g. AS-levels not studied at A-level, music or dance qualifications). If you are a mature student, your application will be considered on its individual merits and work or other professional experience may be taken into consideration in lieu of other published requirements.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.

English language requirements

Test Grade AdditionalDetails
IELTS (Academic) 6.0 An overall score of 6.0, including 5.5 in writing is required. If you require Tier 4 sponsorship, you will require a minimum of 5.5 in all 4 components.

Unistats information

Student satisfaction : 60%

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 75%

Go onto work and study: 100%

Fees and funding

England 9250.0 Year 1
Northern Ireland 9250.0 Year 1
Scotland 9250.0 Year 1
Wales 9250.0 Year 1
Channel Islands 9250.0 Year 1
Republic of Ireland 9250.0 Year 1

Additional Fee Information

*Please note, the tuition fee for students from the rest of the EU (excluding ROI) are yet to be confirmed by the University. For further information about any additional costs associated with this course please see the individual course page on the University of Winchester website (www.winchester.ac.uk).

Provider information

Sparkford Road
Winchester
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Hampshire
SO22 4NR

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