Program Overview

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Forensic Investigation MSc

Overview

Forensic evidence is a vital component in bringing perpetrators to justice. On this MSc Forensic Investigation degree course, you'll learn the practical skills and theories that underpin forensic science and its role in criminal justice, from a crime scene to the courtroom.

You'll study when and why forensic science techniques are used within criminal investigations, as well as how best to deploy them, building your experience in realistic settings, including our crime scene simulation spaces. You'll develop the ability to form strategic forensic responses in the investigation of crime, and understand how to apply them within your career.

Drawing on the expertise of our passionate and research-driven criminology team, you'll also develop your skills in independent research design, data analysis and critical thinking.

You can tailor your studies with specialist subjects such as applied forensic science, aquatic forensic investigation, and investigation and psychology.

When you graduate, you'll have all the skills you need for a successful career in forensic investigation or police work, or another related criminal justice field, such as intelligence or crime science.

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

Course Highlights

• Explore forensic investigation on a Master's course developed with our partners in law enforcement and forensic science, including Hampshire Constabulary, Key Forensic Services and Forensic Access
• Have the opportunity to use our lab equipment to carry out your own forensic research, such as our crime scene simulation spaces and virtual reality (VR) software
• Learn from a team of forensic investigation specialists in our School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, including experts with experience in crime scene investigation, disaster victim identification and forensic science leadership
• Work with Hampshire Constabulary as part of our Forensic Innovation Partnership, taking part in collaborative research
• Hear from industry expert guest speakers from around the world
• Be part of our community of researchers by getting involved with our criminology research groups, such as the Forensic Science research group and the Cybercrime and Cybersecurity research group
• Interact and explore forensic investigation with fellow professionals from the world of criminal justice

Key Information

Study Mode and Duration

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

Start Date

• September 2025

Entry Requirements

Eligibility

This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.

September 2025 Start

• UK Qualifications:
  • A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject (Social Science, Humanities, Law, Psychology, Forensic Science or Management subject). Information Technology or science related subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Applicants with equivalent professional experience in a relevant organisation will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Non-UK Qualifications:
  • If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
  • To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
• English Language Requirements:
  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
  • You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
    • you have a UK degree
    • you have a degree from a majority English speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
    • you are a national of a majority English speaking country
  • Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English speaking countries will be considered on a case by case basis.

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees (September 2025 Start)

• UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
  • Full-time: £10,900
  • Part-time: £5,450 per year
• EU students:
  • Full-time: £10,900
  • Part-time: £5,450 per year
• International students:
  • Full-time: £17,200
  • Part-time: £8,600 per year
  • University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.

Funding Your Studies

• Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
• If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.

Modules

Full-time

• Year 1:
  • Core modules:
    • Crime Science - 30 credits
    • Questioning Forensic Investigation - 30 credits
    • Research Methods and Research Ethics - 30 credits
    • Dissertation/Major Project - 60 credits
  • Optional modules:
    • Applied Forensic Science - 30 credits
    • Investigation and Psychology - 30 credits
    • Real World Forensic Investigation - 30 credits

Part-time

• Year 1:
  • Core modules:
    • Crime Science - 30 credits
    • Questioning Forensic Investigation - 30 credits
  • Optional modules:
    • Applied Forensic Science - 30 credits
    • Investigation and Psychology - 30 credits
    • Real World Forensic Investigation - 30 credits
• Year 2:
  • Core modules:
    • Research Methods and Research Ethics - 30 credits
    • Dissertation/Major Project - 60 credits

Facilities and Specialist Equipment

• Collaboration of Forensic Interviewing (CoFI)
• Crime scene simulation spaces
• Hydra immersive learning suite
• Virtual Reality (VR) lab
• Wildlife crime related artefacts

How You'll Spend Your Time

• This Master's degree will take:
  • 1 year (full-time study)
  • 2 years (part-time study)
• You can expect:
  • Up to 4 hours of teaching time every week (lectures, seminars or workshops). This will be pro rata for part-time students.
  • 30–35 hours of independent study each week if you study full-time, or 15–18 hours each week if you study part-time.

Career Development

• With exciting developments in research, accreditation of frontline practices and a national drive for 'transforming forensics' (National Police Chiefs' Council), there's never been a better time to study forensic investigation.
• This Master's degree in Forensic Investigation will give you a practical and research-based understanding of forensic methods, as well as a postgraduate qualification you can customise to exactly the area of criminal justice you aspire to.
• You'll delve deep into the subjects you choose to study through research, gaining an evidence-based perspective and a greater ability to be analytical and evaluative.
• If you already work in the field of criminal justice, you'll be ready to pursue higher-level roles, or to break into a different area of the discipline. If you're still to embark on your career in criminal justice, you'll gain the knowledge and advanced research problem-solving skills you need to stand out to employers and contribute positively to justice system reform.
• You could also go on to further study, or progress on to a graduate scheme such as PoliceNow or the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme.

Graduates of this course can go on to roles such as:

• Forensic practitioner
• Crime scene investigator
• Police or law enforcement officer
• Probation or prison officer
• Data analyst
• Intelligence analyst

Graduates of this course can go on to work for organisations such as:

• The Civil Service
• National and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
• Government agencies and departments internationally
• Probation and prison service
• The Courts
• Local administration / authorities
• Private security companies
• Charities

Supporting You

• Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.
• You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
  • Personal tutor
  • Learning development tutors
  • Academic skills support
  • Wellbeing and mental health support
  • Disability advice and additional support
  • Library support
  • Maths and stats support
  • Support with English

How to Apply

• Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
• There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start date in September, as long as there are places available. If you wait until September to apply, you may find that the course is full.
• If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
• You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.