Program Overview

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Forensic Toxicology, BSc Hons

Our BSc Forensic Toxicology is the UK’s only undergraduate course dedicated to this field preparing you for careers in forensic science, hospitals, or research labs.

With millions of chemicals in existence, there is little wonder why it is important to understand the effects of these substances on the body and the methods capable of their detection. The relevance of drug use and abuse in forensic casework can be illustrated by statements such as "the drug made me do it" which is a very common defence argument leading to more lenient sentencing and reduced culpability.

You will graduate with the strong quantitative and analytical skills necessary in forensic toxicology. Among many topics, you will learn about many different types of drugs, how they act on the human body, how they are detected, how to report evidence of drugs, and defence arguments used in the court of law. You will also gain an appreciation of topics such as crime scene sciences, biology, chemistry and physiology.

Whether you are interested in a career involving clinical toxicology or are enticed by research involving novel crossover specialisms such as entomotoxicology, anthrotoxicology, ecotoxicology and pharmacogenetics, this course will prepare you for your career of choice.

UCAS points

104 (view full requirements)

Course/institution codes

F400 M BSc/FT

Interested in a different year?

Select your preferred year of entry to view up to date information.

School

Science

Location

Medway Campus

Duration

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years sandwich

Start month

September

Home/international fees 2025/26

• £9,535 / £17,500

What you should know about this course

• This is the only Undergraduate Forensic Toxicology course in the UK.
• Study a course that will provide you with a unique set of transferable skills to take into a variety of industries.
• Gain a foundation in forensic toxicology to prepare you for the world of work in the forensic, practical, research, chemical, and pharmaceutical fields.
• Get "hands on" learning of the procedures you will encounter in the workplace.
• This course is taught at our Medway Campus in Chatham Maritime, Kent.

What you will study

Full time

Year 1

• Exploring Forensic Science (30 credits)
• Concepts in Science (30 credits)
• Practical Skills for Science (30 credits)
• Skills for Tomorrow’s Scientists (30 credits)

Year 2

• Physiological Systems and Regulation (15 credits)
• Instrumental Analysis (15 credits)
• Skills in Crime Scene Examination, Evidence Recovery and Law (15 credits)
• Pharmaceutics (30 credits)
• Pharmacology (15 credits)
• Forensic and Clinical Toxicology (15 credits)
• Drug Development and Regulation (15 credits)

Year 3

• Project (Chemical Sciences) (30 credits)
• Chemometrics and Informatics (15 credits)
• Specialised Topics and Case Studies in Toxicology (15 credits)
• Neuropharmacology (30 credits)
• Analytical Toxicology (30 credits)

Sandwich

Year 1

• Exploring Forensic Science (30 credits)
• Concepts in Science (30 credits)
• Practical Skills for Science (30 credits)
• Skills for Tomorrow’s Scientists (30 credits)

Year 2

• Physiological Systems and Regulation (15 credits)
• Instrumental Analysis (15 credits)
• Skills in Crime Scene Examination, Evidence Recovery and Law (15 credits)
• Pharmaceutics (30 credits)
• Pharmacology (15 credits)
• Forensic and Clinical Toxicology (15 credits)
• Drug Development and Regulation (15 credits)

Year 3

• Work Placement Module (For students taking Sandwich Year option)

Year 4

• Project (Chemical Sciences) (30 credits)
• Chemometrics and Informatics (15 credits)
• Specialised Topics and Case Studies in Toxicology (15 credits)
• Neuropharmacology (30 credits)
• Analytical Toxicology (30 credits)

Entry requirements

UK citizens and permanent residents

• 104 UCAS Tariff points which include one of the following:
  • A Level: a relevant Science subject, such as, Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at grade C.
  • BTEC National: Extended Diploma in Applied Science.
  • A Level and BTEC National: Extended Certificate in Applied Science and an A Level in a relevant Science subject, such as, Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at grade C.
  • International Baccalaureate: 26 points overall including Higher Level Science at grade 5.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: Science.
  • T Level: Science (Laboratory Sciences) at grade Merit.

International entry requirements

The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.

How you will learn

Teaching

Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.

Class sizes

Our forensic science courses allow close student and staff interaction, we pride ourselves on this level of familiarity. Some of our more generic first year modules may have larger group sizes, for example up to 100 in lectures. However, it is more usual for our subject-specific modules in that year to be much smaller, with 30-40 students per class. In the second and third years there may still be some larger groups but as students start to specialise this figure is typically reduced to 15-25 students per class.

Independent learning

At university, you must develop the ability to work more independently than you have done before. In the early stages of the degree, you will receive a higher level of support from module leaders and personal tutors. In years 2 and 3, you will need to demonstrate an increasing ability to build upon material delivered in lectures and laboratories through independent reading.

Overall workload

If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.

Assessment

You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.

Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.

Feedback summary

University policy is to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days of the coursework submission date. Examination results will be available within 28 days.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning
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Home* | £9,535 | N/A | N/A
International | £17,500 | N/A | N/A

Other costs

• Safety equipment: Science students are provided with lab coat and safety glasses free of charge. You'll be expected to pay for prescription safety glasses (approx. £90+) if you choose to purchase them.
• Field trips: The cost of field trips is activity dependant. Some are free, while others may require a contribution. You are not obliged to pay for field trips in order to complete your course.
• Professional memberships: The standard professional memberships attached to accredited courses are covered by your tuition fees. You are welcome to take up additional professional memberships at your own cost.
• Resources: Course texts and other study resources are available from the Drill Hall Library. You may wish to purchase your own copies. You also receive an allowance for printing costs, which you can top up if required.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.

Careers and placements

Will I have a work placement?

Students go to a range of companies and organisations of varying sizes for their placements, including large multi-national firms, government agencies, the NHS and small to medium sized companies engaged in research, analytical services and manufacturing.

How long is my placement?

Students can undertake a summer placement for between 6 weeks to a maximum of 3 months which can be related to a credit rated course at level 6, or can be undertaken for work experience, acknowledged by a Certificate of Industrial Experience. Students are also encouraged to apply for sandwich placements lasting between 9-12 months which sit between the second and third year of the degree.

What are the financial arrangements?

The Faculty expectation is that students are as far as possible treated like other employees of the company or organisation. It is expected that students on sandwich placements will be paid throughout their time with the company. In some cases, students on summer placements have had expenses only covered by the company. Students on sandwich placements are required to pay a reduced fee to the University for their placement year.

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

Our degree in Forensic Toxicology will prepare you for many exciting careers spanning forensic science, whether you are interested in working for a forensic science provider, hospital or research laboratory.

Accommodation

Medway campus in Kent

Our Medway halls of residence are all located on-campus, with facilities include an on-site café, launderette and bar. And the halls are located within minutes of the historic Chatham dockyard and Chatham and Gillingham town centres.

With student-run social events, modern ensuite rooms and communal shared spaces, you’ll find that living in halls of residence will be a highlight of your University of Greenwich experience.

Rooms start at £172.06/wk and include Wi-Fi, utility bills and 24-hour residential support. Our Medway accommodation boasts 350 rooms with 24/7 security, and resident car parking permits are available.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

We are ambitious for all our students and we want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access support to improve your study skills through your tutor, our subject librarians and our online academic skills centre.

Support from the department

Students within the Faculty of Engineering and Science have a Retention and Success Officer (RSO) whose role is to provide an additional layer of support for student engagement, and provision for extenuating circumstances, withdrawals and interruptions, Faculty level resit and Personal Development Planning enquiries.

The University wide STAART (AccessAbility Retention and Transition) course encourages and supports students with a disability, providing support for disabled students.

Do you provide employability services?

We have a team dedicated to enhancing student employment outcomes. This includes an Employer Partnerships Manager, who works with companies to provide placement and employment opportunities.

Our team will also help you understand the jobs market, produce effective CVs, and prepare for a graduate job and placement applications in your final year.