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Forensic Science at De Montfort University - UCAS

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Forensic Science brings science to the heart of justice, using cutting-edge techniques to recover, analyse, and present evidence. If you enjoy solving scientific problems, working with advanced technology, and gaining real-world skills, this course could be your perfect fit. Choose between our three-year BSc or four-year integrated MSci pathway to tailor your learning to your career aspirations. In year one, you will build a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, and forensic techniques. Learn crime scene analysis, forensic photography, and essential skills in our Essentials of Forensic Investigations module. In year two, you'll explore forensic applications with topics such as drugs, trace evidence, and the legal system through modules like Bodies, Tissues, and Fluids and Issues in Criminal Justice. In year three, you'll dive deeper into real-world forensic science with DNA Profiling, Fire and Toxicology, and Forensic Case Studies. Conduct independent research to enhance your expertise. In year four (MSci only), you'll specialise in Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, or Criminalistics, with master’s-level projects and advanced modules tailored to your career ambitions. Key features

  • Top 10 for Forensic Science: Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Science course is ranked 7th best in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2025.
  • Our forensic science courses are designed in collaboration with Leicestershire Police so they are relevant to current practice and standards.
  • The BSc course is professionally accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences ensuring your teaching and learning is to a high standard.
  • You will have lots of opportunity to develop your practical and professional skills in our crime scene house, crime studio, crown court and our excellent forensic science laboratory facilities.
  • Our strong links with industry mean you’ll not only develop practical and professional skills, but may also be offered the opportunity to apply them to real-world scenarios by spending a year on placement.
  • Our teaching is delivered by a team of expert academics and former practitioners, including Leisa Nichols-Drew, who was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to help her to develop her work exploring international approaches to the forensic investigation of knife crime.
  • Global experience: Gain unique insights with DMU Global, from uncovering evidence of human rights abuses in Guatemala to attending the New York Supreme Court.
  • Our graduates have gone on to work for world-leading employers including the Home Office, Forensic Science Regulator, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, GCHQ, National Crime Agency, Eurofins, Cellmark Forensics, Key Forensic Services, Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Reckitt Benckiser, 3M and many others.
  • Our MSci course has been developed to extend your learning beyond the BSc Forensic Science programme, and will allow you to specialise, focusing your studies towards one of three subject areas (Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Criminalistics); helping you to develop more advanced and in-depth knowledge aligned to your career aspirations.

Modules

Year one

  • Forensic, Professional and Quantitative Skills
  • Foundations of Biology for Forensic Science
  • Essentials of Forensic Investigations
  • Foundations of Chemistry for Forensic Science
Year two
  • Analytical Forensic Chemistry
  • Issues in Criminal Justice
  • Bodies, Tissues and Fluids
  • Operation Vestigium - Drugs and Trace Evidence Casework
Year three
  • Forensic Case Studies
  • Operation Ignis – A Fire and Toxicology based investigation
  • Research Project and Professional Skills
  • DNA Profiling and the Presentation of Evidence
  • Professional Portfolio
Year four (MSci only)
  • Specialist Pathway module – Either
Advanced Concepts in Forensic Biology, Advanced Concepts in Forensic Chemistry OR Advanced Concepts in Criminalistics.
  • Research Project and Professional Skills 2
- Contemporary Issues in Forensic Science

Assessment method

Your precise timetable will depend on your modules, however, you will normally benefit from 22 contact hours timetabled teaching sessions each week, consisting of lectures, tutorials, practical laboratory sessions and workshops. You will also be expected to devote a considerable amount of time to independent study, typically 18 – 20 hours per week. Practical work forms a large part of teaching and includes exercises at our mock crime house facility. You will also learn from visiting lecturers involved in forensic science. Assessments include coursework, practical reports, written and practical exams, phase tests and presentations.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
EU £16750 Year 1
International £16750 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase Please note that fees for subsequent years of study for continuing students are subject to an annual review. Any increase in fee will be in line with RPI-X (linked to the retail price index) and the fee cap set by the Government
Forensic Science at De Montfort University - UCAS