Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Forensic Science
Course Overview
The Forensic Science degree at the University of Winchester offers a fascinating program in the fast-evolving environment of Forensic Science. The program provides modules that give students a firm grounding in the theoretical and practical aspects of crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, and expert witness skills. In addition, students are offered specific modules in chemistry, molecular biology, and toxicology.
Course Features
- 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.
- 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 license to carry out decomposition studies.
Course Details
Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.
You are taught through a combination of practical sessions in labs and other settings, lectures, and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.
In addition to the formally scheduled contact time such as lab practicals, lectures, and seminars, etc.), you are encouraged to access academic support from staff within the course team and the wide range of services available to you within the University.
Independent Learning
Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving, and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.
Overall Workload
Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity.
While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.
Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning, and assessment: 288 hours
- Independent learning: 912 hours
Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning, and assessment: 288 hours
- Independent learning: 912 hours
Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity*
- Teaching, learning, and assessment: 240 hours
- Independent learning: 960 hours
*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.
Assessment
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognized disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes.
The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:
Year 1 (Level 4)*:
- 68% coursework
- 0% written exams
- 32% practical assessment
Year 2 (Level 5)*:
- 78% coursework
- 0% written exams
- 22% practical assessment
Year 3 (Level 6)*:
- 70% coursework
- 0% written exams
- 30% practical assessment
*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the program.
Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Further Information
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies, and Procedures.
Modules
Year 1
- Skills for Forensic Practitioners 30 Credits
- Fundamentals of Forensic Investigation 30 Credits
- Introduction to Forensic Evidence 30 Credits
- Analytical and Biochemistry 30 Credits
Year 2
- Forensic Toxicology 30 Credits
- Evidence-Based Approaches to Forensics 30 Credits
- Crime Scene Investigation 30 Credits
- Optional modules 15 Credits
Year 3
- Independent Research Project 30 Credits
- Advanced Forensic Chemical Analysis 30 Credits
- Evidence Analysis and Interpretation 30 Credits
- Optional modules 15 Credits
Entry Requirements
UK
- 112-120 points
- A-Levels: BBC-BBB from 3 A-Levels or equivalent grade combinations
- BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
- International Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
- T Level: Merit in a T Level in Health, Healthcare Science, or Science
International
- 300-320 International points required
- IELTS Academic at 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
Tuition Fees
2025/6 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland | International
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Year 1* | £9,535 | £16,700
Additional Tuition Fee Information
*(UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland) £9,535 for the 25/26 academic year. Fees for future academic years will be determined in line with our Terms and Conditions.
*(International) £16,700 for the 25/26 academic year. Fees for future academic years will be determined in line with our Terms and Conditions.
Additional Costs
Optional
- Trips: Indicative cost is £20 per academic year
- Core texts: Indicative cost is £100 per academic year
- Equipment: Costs will vary
Mandatory
- Crime scene suit: One crime scene suit is provided per student. Students may need to buy additional crime scene suits. Indicative cost between £3 - £8
- Clothing: For one module in the third year of study, students will be expected to dress smartly for their final oral assessment. Indicative cost £0 - £50 depending on their existing wardrobe
- Travel to placements: A third-year module requires students to travel to a work placement of their choice (15 hours). Cost dependent on location, indicative cost £0-£50
Scholarships, Bursaries, and Awards
We have a variety of scholarship and bursaries available to support you financially with the cost of your course.
Career Prospects
Graduates find work in a variety of Criminal Justice agencies and related employment fields. These include the police service, the prison service, youth and probation work, and Government research units, such as the Home Office.
The University of Winchester ranks in the top 10 in the UK for graduates in employment or further study according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021, HESA.
Pre-approved for a Masters
If you study a Bachelors Honours degree with us, you will be pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible, you will need to apply by the end of March in the final year of your degree and meet the entry requirements of your chosen Masters degree.