Program Overview

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Forensic Science

BSc (Hons)

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Campus

• Preston Campus

Start

• September 2025

Duration

• 3 years

UCAS Code

• F410

Delivery

• In-person

Foundation year available

• Yes

Placement option

• Yes

Course Description

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.

Why study with us

• 2nd in the UK for teaching (National Student Survey, Forensic and archaeological sciences)
• 3rd in the UK for overall score (Guardian University Guide, Forensic science)
• 4th in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, Forensic Science)
• 94% of students highly rate our learning opportunities (National Student Survey, Forensic and archaeological sciences)

What you’ll do

• Work in labs equipped with cutting-edge microscopy and analytical equipment, and at our outdoor facility for research in forensic taphonomy and decomposition.
• As well as covering modules focused on the core aspects of Forensic Science, you can focus on specialist areas like genetics, toxicology and anthropology.
• Take a sandwich-year placement, developing vital career-boosting skills in a local hospital laboratory or with a scientific research project.

Modules

Year 1

• Crime Scene Science
• Academic Skills
• Bodies of Evidence
• Forensic Laboratory Analysis
• Forensic Scientific Principles

Year 2

• Forensic Casework
• Professional Practice
• Research for Forensic Investigators
• Major Crimes - The Evidence
• Molecular Biology (optional)
• Forensic Chemical Analysis (optional)
• Forensic Anthropology (optional)

Year 3

• The Interpretation of Forensic Evidence
• Forensic Science Dissertation
• Death Sciences (optional)
• Forensic Toxicology and Chemical Investigations (optional)
• Forensic Genetics (optional)
• Applied Forensic Anthropology: Taphonomy and Human Remains Recovery (optional)
• Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) (optional)

Academic expertise

• Dr Catherine Tennick, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science
• Dr Tina Gornall, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science
• Dr Claire Williamson, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science
• Dr Allison Stewart, Senior Lecturer
• Dr Brenna Hassett, Lecturer in Forensic Osteology and Archaeology
• PC Peter Cross, Senior Lecturer
• Rachel Cunliffe, Lecturer in Forensic and Biological Anthropology
• Dr Judith Smith, Senior lecturer
• Dr William Goodwin, Reader in Forensic Genetics
• Dr Anna Kirkham, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry
• Adam Wilcox, Senior Demonstrator in Forensic Science
• Paul Langton, Lecturer in Forensic Science

Facilities

• Forensic Investigation Laboratory
• Forensic Anthropology Laboratory
• Forensic Taphonomy Laboratory
• Hydra Minerva Suite
• CSI Village
• Entomology Laboratory
• Archaeology and Anthropology Imaging Suite
• Archaeology and Anthropology Teaching Laboratory
• Analytical Laboratories
• Molecular Biology Suite
• Anatomage Suites
• Blood Pattern Analysis Suite

Accreditations

• The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS)

Future careers

• By the time you graduate from our Forensic Science BSc (Hons) programme, you will be well placed to start an exciting career in areas of forensic science, biological sciences or chemical analysis.
• Our course provides an excellent starting point for a career in the competitive sector of forensic science.
• Today, you’ll find our former students working in all sorts of forensic science settings – as crime scene investigators, police officers, scientific support personnel and intelligence analysts, at home and overseas.

Entry requirements

• UCAS: 104-112 points at A2 including Biology or Chemistry or Applied Science
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM including Chemistry and Biology units
• BTEC Diploma DD - DD* including Chemistry and Biology Units
• Pass Access Course: 104-112 UCAS Points with 15 Level 3 Credits in Chemistry or Biology
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 104-112 points from Higher Level subjects including Biology or Chemistry
• T Level: M including Biology or Chemistry or Applied Science
• IELTS: Grade 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
• GCSEs: 5 at grade C/4 including Maths and English

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (full-time), £1,623 for the placement year, £1,587 per 20 credits (part-time)
• International: £17,325 per year (full-time)

Scholarships and bursaries

• Care Leaver Bursary
• Estranged student support
• Dependants Bursary
• Financial support package

Learning and assessment

• You’ll learn within a friendly, vibrant environment that’s home to experienced staff and exceptional facilities.
• A combination of coursework, end-of-module exams, and research, in the form of a final year dissertation.
• Guest speakers, brought in to talk about specialist areas like law, ballistics and DNA.

Industry links

• We enjoy strong links with many law enforcement agencies and have regular visits from high-profile speakers to share their experience.