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BSc (Hons)

Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation

Attendance

Campus

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Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2023

UCAS Code

FM42

Delivery

Campus taught

Discover the tools crucial to solving crime, with a degree built around the practical skills and scientific understanding of the collection and analysis of evidence.

Our Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation BSc (Hons) course offers the skills to recognise and recover all evidence types from crime scenes, and to analyse that evidence in the laboratory. With the guidance of former CSIs, you’ll develop a broad understanding of forensic science, covering areas like fingerprint recovery, crime scene photography and the analysis of trace evidence like hairs, fibres and body fluids.

You’ll have the option of specialising in either crime scene investigation or forensic anthropology, charting a path you’ll take right up to your final-year dissertation. And, thanks to our close links with Lancashire and Greater Manchester constabularies, you could even find yourself working alongside police CSI and scientific support teams.

It’s a solid and well-respected programme of study, not only accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences but also further enhanced through our ground-breaking Lancashire Forensic Science Academy partnership. As such, the modules you’ll take go beyond the basic vocational standards for CSI roles – ensuring you’ll have all you need to start a career in the competitive but rewarding world of forensic science and criminal investigation.

Why study with us

Our strategic alliance with Lancashire Constabulary offers a wealth of opportunity for gaining vital experience and practical work placements in real-world operational environments.
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 offer the possibility for extra study at home and abroad – including an air crash investigation short course in Arizona, ballistic reconstruction course and ERASMUS exchange opportunities.

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Lancashire Forensic Science Academy

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

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What you’ll do

You’ll choose one specialist stream, focusing on either crime scene investigation or forensic anthropology, which you’ll follow throughout the course.
As well as the core modules and your chosen stream, you’ll have some flexibility to tailor your studies to your personal strengths and professional ambitions.
You’ll get hands-on with state-of-the-art facilities, including our dedicated crime scene houses, vehicle examination bay, laboratories and a Hydra Minerva simulation suite.

Discover the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy

Module overview

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

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.

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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

In a competitive job market, Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation BSc (Hons) graduates stand out – with the specialist skills and real-world experience to ensure they’re ready to get to work.

This is a programme that offers a clear path into professional roles. While it was created to give you the scientific understanding and techniques vital for becoming an investigator or forensic scientist, it actually goes beyond the national occupational standards for VCSIs or CSIs. In short, when you graduate, you’ll be equipped to compete.

While you’re with us, we’ll be ready to support you through a 48-week sandwich placement in industry. It’s a great chance to make a start on your workplace skills and experience, radically enhancing your employability. Your employability is further developed through the opportunities provided by the Lancashire Forensic Science academy, such as the opportunity to shadow crime scene investigators as they conduct their work.

Today, you’ll find our graduates at work as crime scene investigators, police intelligence analysts, police officers and forensic scientists and analysts, in both private companies and for the police force.

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

Throughout the course, you’ll find a broad mix of different learning methods. One day you might have tutorials, seminars and independent study, the next you could be doing role play exercises or getting to grips with state-of-the-art analytical equipment in our forensic investigation laboratory or dedicated blood spattering suite.

You’ll also have the chance to hear from guest speakers – specialists in areas like ballistics or DNA, while we’ll also have visiting alumni here to offer career advice.

We employ a wide range of assessments to monitor your progress. As well as standard written exams, you’ll have presentations, crime scene examinations, photographic portfolios, human bone identification and more.

Lancashire Constabulary

We have forged a pioneering partnership with Lancashire Constabulary to create the Lancashire Forensic Science Academy, which offers our students the chance to gain practical experience alongside serving CSIs and scientific support professionals.

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