Course summary

At Worcester, our Forensic and Applied Biology degree bridges the disciplines of forensic and biological science, providing you with a thorough understanding of the 'what' and the 'how' and 'why' behind forensic investigations. This Forensic Biology degree combines the study of biology with forensic science, meaning you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of forensic investigation and analysis while gaining skills in biological sciences. By studying this course, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of life processes, from the sub-cellular level to the whole organism, through the study of biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology. You’ll explore health and disease at individual, community, and societal levels, helping you understand how various conditions affect the human body. Additionally, you’ll gain hands-on experience interpreting forensic evidence, following proper procedures in crime scene investigations, while working alongside a range of forensic specialists such as forensic biologists, drug investigators, archaeologists, and anthropologists. Developing practical skills through hands-on experience is a key part of this course. Our dedicated crime scene simulation house, a semi-detached residential property on our St John’s Campus, provides an immersive setting for working through real-world scenarios. You’ll practice your crime investigation skills by excavating bodies, collecting physical evidence such as fingerprints or fibre samples, and analysing your findings in our state-of-the-art laboratories. Learning from industry experts who can draw on their own experiences in the field, and hearing from guest speakers like local police forces and forensic scientists, will demonstrate how these skills and experiences can be applied in actual investigations. By working through real case studies and simulated scenarios, you’ll gain a genuine understanding of the role of biological and forensic science in criminal investigations. Why the University of Worcester? The University of Worcester is a campus university, meaning everything you need is on site. We’re based in a vibrant cathedral city just 40 mins south of Birmingham and an hour north of Bristol, and our beautiful green campuses have plenty of parking and quality on-site accommodation. At Worcester, small class sizes, supportive tutors, and professionally focused courses mean you’ll be prepared for your dream career. These are just some of the reasons why we’re first in the UK for both graduate employment and quality education.

• University of the Year finalist in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.

• First in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, from any multidisciplinary university – Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) 2017 to 2025.

• First in the UK for quality education – Joint 1st in the Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings 2025.