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BSc (Hons)

Forensic Science

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Undergraduate Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2023

UCAS Code

F410

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation entry

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.

We are one of the few universities in the UK with the experience, facilities and industry connections to offer such a professionally relevant programme in forensic science. Here, you’ll learn from experts in their fields, whether seasoned CSIs or leading academics.

The course is built around three core topics of forensics – investigation, biology and chemistry – with a range of options to help you steer your studies toward your strengths and interests. You’ll learn the theory and practice of forensic investigation, crime scene processing and laboratory-based analysis.

With our own crime scene houses and professional-standard labs, you’ll develop workplace-ready skills. And, thanks to our partnership with Lancashire Constabulary, you could even get the chance to shadow a professional forensic scientist in an operational environment. So, by the time you graduate, you should have everything you need to pursue a future as a forensic scientist.

Why study with us

This course is ranked 1st in the North West and in the UK’s top 10 (Complete University Guide 2020).
Forensic and Archaeological Sciences at UCLan is ranked 4th in the UK with 93% overall satisfaction, whilst being ranked 2nd in the UK for the teaching on the course (National Student Survey 2022).
We have joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to create the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy, a ground-breaking partnership that gives our students the chance to shadow operational CSIs at crime scenes.

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The Hydra Minerva Suite at the University of Central Lancashire

What you’ll do

You’ll 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.
You can take a sandwich-year placement, developing vital career-boosting skills in a local hospital laboratory or with a scientific research project.

Module overview

Course delivery

Following the pandemic, we have found that some courses benefit from a blended learning and teaching approach. Therefore, the majority of your teaching will be face-to-face on campus aside from a small amount of online teaching where we have learnt it works best.

95%Face-to-face

5%Online

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Lancashire Forensic Science Academy

This ground-breaking partnership gives you the opportunity to shadow real CSI's and gain industry placement experience.

Find out more

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, demonstrating that it provides a solid, widely respected route into the highly competitive field of forensic and criminal investigation.

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. You’ll also learn the transferrable scientific skills that can open doors to government, education, the NHS, biotechnology firms, nuclear industries, pharmaceutical companies and other scientific companies.

While you’re with us, we’ll make sure you get plenty of opportunities to put some vital experience on your CV, whether working in the voluntary sector, or by going on a 48-week sandwich placement at a number of laboratories or offices.

If you’re aiming for a career in the police, we’d also encourage you to become a Special Constable. Alternatively, if you see yourself working in a lab, you can explore links with local hospitals or research labs.

Join us on campus

Book a place at our Undergraduate Open Day on Saturday 17 June. Here you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities, meet academic staff & chat to students.

Book your place

Fees and funding

2022/23

Full-time£9250 per year

Sandwich year£1000 for the sandwich year

Part-time£1540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14250 per year

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country and see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

You’ll learn within a friendly, vibrant environment that’s home to experienced staff and exceptional facilities. Here, you’ll have a variety of lectures, seminars and tutorials, though you’ll also need to commit plenty of time to independent study.

It’s a course that balances scientific knowledge with practical skills, so a key part of teaching and assessment here is about getting hands on with our analytical instrumentation in the lab and honing your skills in our simulated crime scenes and outdoor environments.

We’ll measure your progress throughout the course with a combination of coursework, end-of-module exams – whether multiple-choice, short answer questions, essays, practical reports or tests, problem solving exercises or oral presentations – and research, in the form of a final year dissertation.

You’ll also have the chance to hear from guest speakers, brought in to talk about specialist areas like law, ballistics and DNA.

We have joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to create the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy, which brings CSIs, forensic science experts, academics and students together in purpose-built facilities to research, investigate and deliver forensic science services in Lancashire.

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

There are three core topics that run throughout the course, and others which are options during the first and second years:

Forensic Investigation involves the management and analysis of crime scenes, the collection of forensic evidence and its analysis by means of methods such as fingerprinting, footwear impressions, document analysis, tool marks, forensic photography, glass fragment analysis, trace evidence, body fluids, hair and fibre analysis and ballistics.

Forensic Biology includes topics such as the identification of body fluids, forensic medicine, forensic entomology and DNA profiling, the identification and analysis of molecular genetic variation which can be used to match body fluids such as blood, semen or saliva to individuals, or to carry out paternity analysis.

Forensic Chemistry examines a variety of compounds from narcotics to paints and accelerants, using chemical and physical methods to characterise and match trace samples.

Forensic Anthropology is an option in years one and two and involves the study of the skeletal remains in order to determine a profile of a deceased individual as well as aspects of decomposition and burial.

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This course is based in the School of Natural Sciences located in the Faculty of Science and Technology

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page