Forensic Sciences

Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Forensic Sciences

Overview

Go beyond the police tape and learn in cutting-edge facilities with this fascinating and highly practical Forensic Sciences degree, which is ranked top in the UK for teaching, academic support and resources (NSS 2023). Accredited and commended by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Why study Forensic Sciences?

Go beyond the police tape with this fascinating and highly practical Forensic Sciences degree. Learn the techniques that underpin the recognition, identification, recovery, analysis and evaluation of information which can be used as evidence in court.

Are you naturally inquisitive with a passion for chemistry and biology? Do you like to solve problems for fun? Put these traits to work on this Forensic Sciences degree that equips you with the valuable skills you need to help support the legal process.

It's a hands-on degree, where you'll analyse crime scenes in our purpose-built facilities, and learn forensic analysis techniques in our state-of-the-art laboratories. You'll go on fact-finding field trips to places like the mortuary, and observe bomb disposal experts at work.

Work placement options

There are work placement opportunities, plus you’ll be taught by academics who’ve come directly from industry and forensic researchers at the cutting edge of their field. Along the way you’ll hear lectures from organisations including Scottish Police Authority, the Army Bomb Squad, an international Disaster Victim Identification expert, a global expert in scene examination training, and former students in working in this field.

You'll learn about the forensic responses to some of the biggest disaster events in recent history, and the correct methods for identifying human remains.

A hands-on and practical degree

This vocational course consists of three main study areas: forensic science, chemistry and biology. It also includes psychology and law, designed to help prepare you for a variety of workplace situations. You'll cover topics such as:

• Crime scene investigation.
• Body fluid analysis.
• DNA profiling.
• Fingerprinting.
• Substances of abuse and toxicology.

Abertay's Forensic Sciences degree is professionally accredited and commended by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSoFS), which means you're eligible to apply for associate membership on graduation.

This degree is ranked No. 3 in the UK for Overall Satisfaction (NSS 2024) and top in Scotland for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2025).

Potential careers

Our graduates often become forensic scientists, either as part of the civil service or the private sector, and many work in related areas. Potential careers include:

• Forensic scientist.
• Crime scene examiner.
• Toxicologist.
• Analytical chemist/biologist.
• DNA analyst.
• Police officer.
• Food and drink analyst.

This course is professionally accredited and commended by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSoFS), which means you're eligible to apply for associate membership on graduation.

Strong industry links

We enjoy excellent relationships with a number of forensic laboratories and with organisations such as the Scottish Police Authority, the Army Bomb Squad, and Procurator Fiscal Service.

You’ll hear guest lectures from organisations like the Scottish Police Authority, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), the James Hutton Institute, and Forensic Access.

If you want to study some of the techniques used in police investigations and the criminal justice system, then a Forensic Sciences at Abertay is the degree for you.

Choose your path

You will leave with the skills to pursue a range of fulfilling and varied careers. Some of our Forensic Sciences graduates have gone into:

• Developing diagnostics in the biotechnology industries.
• Quality assurance.
• Problem solving in the public utilities sector.
• Developing protocols and procedures in the armed forces or government agencies.
• Training as science teachers.

You could also move onto further study.

About your modules

All modules shown are indicative and reflect course content for the current academic year. Modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change. If you receive an offer to study with us we will send you a Programme document that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.

Modules

• Year 1 Core Modules
  • Foundations of Chemistry 1 - FOR101
  • Introduction to Forensic Science Practice and Techniques - FOR103
  • Biology 1: Biology Principles and Practice - LSC101
  • Foundations of Chemistry 2 - FOR102
  • Human Physiology - LSC102
  • Abertay 101 - Being Successful at Abertay - ABE101
• Year 1 MySuccess Modules - Term 2
  • Successful Writing at Abertay - ABE102
  • Digital Skills for University and Beyond - ABE103
  • Dundee and Me - ABE104
  • Research and Enquiry Skills for the Digital Age - ABE105
  • How to Sell Your Idea - ABE106
  • Planning Your Future Career - ABE107
  • Welcome to the CommuniTAY - ABE108
  • Wellbeing Tools and Tricks - ABE109
  • Numbers for Everday Life - ABE111
• Year 2 Core Modules
  • PSY203 Forensic Psychology: Understanding Offending Behaviour
  • FOR205 Forensic Human Identification
  • FOR213 Forensic Quality, Professional Practice & Work Based Learning
  • FOR212 Investigative Analytical Science
  • LSC201 Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Year 2 Microcredentials - Term 2
  • ABE201 Being Successful at University (For 2nd year entrants)
  • ABE202 Co-create (Negotiated Studies)
  • ABE203 Anti-Racism in Professional Communications
  • ABE204 Mind Your Language: Text Mining and Qualitative Approaches to Language Analysis
  • ABE205 AWS Academy Machine Learning Foundation
  • ABE206 Sustainability 101
  • ABE207 Food for thought
  • ABE208 Optimising your professional written communication
  • ABE209 Mythbusters: Separating Breakthroughs from Fake News
  • ABE210 The Future in Work
  • ABE211 Social Enterprise: What, How and Why?
  • ABE212 Artificial Intelligence and Society
  • ABE213 My AI: Past, Present and Future
  • ABE214 Digital Safety and Cybersecurity
  • ABE215 Numbers for Success
  • ABE216 Creative China: Culture, Regulation and Business
  • ABE217 Creativity Matters: Engaging resources for Wellbeing
• Year 3 Core Modules
  • Special Topics in Forensic Biology - FOR301
  • Forensic Chromatography and Spectroscopy - FOR303
  • Firearms, Fires and Explosions - FOR309
  • Forensic Trace Evidence - FOR304
  • Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology - FOR310
  • Scene Examination and Management - FOR312
• Year 4 Core Modules
  • Forensic Applications of DNA - FOR401
  • Substances of Abuse - FOR402
  • Project Research Methods - FOR410
  • Interpretation & Presentation of Evidence - FOR403
  • Honours Project - FOR411

Entry Requirements

• Subject Requirements
  • All applicants must have a pass in English - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4.
  • National 5 ESOL is accepted in lieu of National 5 English.
  • Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4.
  • National 5 Lifeskill Maths and Application of Maths NOT accepted in lieu of Maths.
• UK Entry to Year 1
  • Qualification Type | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects
    • Higher (standard entry) | BBBC | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at Grade C. In absence of Higher Chemistry, Nat 5 Chemistry is required at Grade B.
    • Higher (minimum entry) | BBC | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at Grade C. In absence of Higher Chemistry, Nat 5 Chemistry is required at Grade B.
    • A-Level | CCC | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at Grade C
    • T Level | C or higher | in Core Component in Healthcare Science or Science
    • Irish Highers | H3H3H3H3 | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry
    • International Baccalaureate Diploma Based Programme (IBDP) | 27 Points | Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at S5/H4
    • International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) | We encourage applications with the IBCP but understand that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
    • BTEC Extended Diploma | MMM | Applied Science (all pathways)
    • AHEAD | Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme
    • SWAP Access | BBB | Access to: Life Sciences, Health & Life Sciences, Science, Biological Sciences, Biological & Biomedical Sciences
• UK Entry to Year 2
  • Qualification Type | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects
    • Advanced Higher | BBB | To include Chemistry and Biology or Human Biology
    • A-Level | BBB | To include Chemistry and Biology or Human Biology
    • BTEC Extended Diploma | DDD | Applied Science
    • International Baccalaureate | 34 Points | Biology and Chemistry plus one other Higher
    • SQA HNC/HND | B/BB | Our College Qualifications pages list approved HNC/HND courses
    • BTEC HNC/HND | M | Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry
    • International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) | See next column | If you are taking HNC/HND with one or more Higher Levels IB subjects, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
• International Entry
  • We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants from across the world. Please select your country from the searchable list below to view different qualification entry requirements.

Fees and funding

• The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
• Undergraduate student fees - Scottish Students
• Undergraduate student fees - UK Students (outside Scotland)
• Undergraduate student fees – EU & International Students

Scholarships

• We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
• As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not.
• Abertay RUK Scholarship: Science and Social Science
• Abertay International Scholarship
• The Robert Reid Bursary

The Discover Uni dataset

• The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education.
• It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.
• Forensic Sciences (Full time) KIS