**Course Overview**
- Explore the science of investigation, learning the skills to collect, analyse and interpret evidence. It’s a highly specialised course, designed to put you on a high-impact career path.
- We are one of the few universities in the UK with the experience, facilities and industry connections to offer such a professionally relevant programme in forensic science. Here, you’ll learn from experts in their fields, whether seasoned CSIs or leading academics.
- The course is built around three core topics of forensics – investigation, biology and chemistry – with a range of options to help you steer your studies toward your strengths and interests. You’ll learn the theory and practice of forensic investigation, crime scene processing and laboratory-based analysis.
- With our own crime scene houses and professional-standard labs, you’ll develop workplace-ready skills. And, thanks to our partnership with Lancashire Constabulary, you could even get the chance to shadow a professional forensic scientist in an operational environment. So, by the time you graduate, you should have everything you need to pursue a future as a forensic scientist.
**Why study with us**
- This course is ranked 1st in the North West and in the UK’s top 10 (Complete University Guide 2020)
- Forensic and Archaeological Sciences are 1st in the North West for overall student satisfaction, teaching quality and academic support - National Student Survey (NSS) 2019.
- We have joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to create the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy, a ground-breaking partnership that gives our students the chance to shadow operational CSIs at crime scenes.
**Further Information**
There are three core topics that run throughout the course, and others which are options during the first and second years:
- **Forensic Investigation** involves the management and analysis of crime scenes, the collection of forensic evidence and its analysis by means of methods such as fingerprinting, footwear impressions, document analysis, tool marks, forensic photography, glass fragment analysis, trace evidence, body fluids, hair and fibre analysis and ballistics.
- **Forensic Biology** includes topics such as the identification of body fluids, forensic medicine, forensic entomology and DNA profiling, the identification and analysis of molecular genetic variation which can be used to match body fluids such as blood, semen or saliva to individuals, or to carry out paternity analysis.
- **Forensic Chemistry** examines a variety of compounds from narcotics to paints and accelerants, using chemical and physical methods to characterise and match trace samples.
- **Forensic Anthropology** is an option in years one and two and involves the study of the skeletal remains in order to determine a profile of a deceased individual as well as aspects of decomposition and burial.
Course Details - Modules
Year 1: Compulsory modules; Crime Scene Science, Skills for Forensic Scientists, Introduction to Osteology and Anthropology, Biology for Forensic Scientists, Chemistry for Forensic Scientists. Optional modules; Introduction to Biology, Introduction to Chemistry, Bones Bodies and Burials, Elective
Year 2: Compulsory modules; Criminalistics, Forensic Practice, Forensic Chemistry, Introduction to Forensic Genetics, Law for Forensic Scientists. Optional modules; Death Science, Forensic Anthropology
Year 3: Compulsory modules; Dissertation (double module), Application of Forensic Science, Forensic Genetics, Advances in Forensic Chemistry. Optional modules (choose one) Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
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:
F410
Institution code:
C30
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
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
104 to 112 UCAS points at A2 including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
Including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science.
Our typical offer is 104 to 112 UCAS Points. We operate a flexible admissions policy and treat everyone as an individual. This means that we will take into consideration your educational achievements and predicted grades (where applicable) together with your application as a whole, including work experience and personal statement.
104 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
104 to 112 UCAS points including 15 level 3 credits in Biology or Chemistry
104 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
BTEC Applied Science from 2016 -
Must include 6 of the following BTEC modules at Merit -
Principles and Applications of Science I,
Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques, Science Investigation Skills,
Laboratory Techniques and their Application, Principles and Applications of Science II, Investigative Project,
Physiology of Human Body Systems,
Human Regulation and Reproduction,
Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways, Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
Diseases and Infection,
Applications of Inorganic Chemistry,
Applications of Organic Chemistry,
Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques, Industrial Chemical Reactions,
Practical Chemical Analysis,
Biomedical Science,
Materials Science,
Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis,
Forensic Fire Investigation
BTEC Applied Science pre 2016 -
Must include 6 of the following modules at Merit - Fundamentals of Science,
Scientific Investigations,
Scientific Practical Techniques,
Mathematical Calculation for Science,
Using Statistics in Science,
Physiology of Human Body Systems,
Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biochemistry and Biomechanical Techniques, Microbiological Techniques,
Chemistry for Biology Technicians,
Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
Practical Chemical Analysis,
Biomedical Science Techniques
including acceptable Chemistry and Biology units
Pass IB Diploma including 104 to 112 UCAS points from Higher Level subjects including HL Biology or Chemistry
BTEC Applied Science from 2016 -
Must include 6 of the following BTEC modules at Merit -
Principles and Applications of Science I,
Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques, Science Investigation Skills,
Laboratory Techniques and their Application, Principles and Applications of Science II, Investigative Project,
Physiology of Human Body Systems,
Human Regulation and Reproduction,
Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways, Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
Diseases and Infection,
Applications of Inorganic Chemistry,
Applications of Organic Chemistry,
Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques, Industrial Chemical Reactions,
Practical Chemical Analysis,
Biomedical Science,
Materials Science,
Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis,
Forensic Fire Investigation
BTEC Applied Science pre 2016 -
Must include 6 of the following modules at Merit - Fundamentals of Science,
Scientific Investigations,
Scientific Practical Techniques,
Mathematical Calculation for Science,
Using Statistics in Science,
Physiology of Human Body Systems,
Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biochemistry and Biomechanical Techniques, Microbiological Techniques,
Chemistry for Biology Technicians,
Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
Practical Chemical Analysis,
Biomedical Science Techniques
104 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science
including acceptable Chemistry and Biology units
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
with no component score less than 5.5 (To have been taken within two years of the course commencement date)
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
0%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
0%
Go onto work and study:
0%
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
Additional Fee Information
*subject only to annual increase in line with UK Retail Price Index inflation rate
Provider information
Address1 are not listed for this Course.
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Preston
PR1 2HE
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