Skip navigation
Forensic Science at University of Kent - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
Apply

University of Kent has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

18Jan
Find your future: Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Are you fascinated by the science behind crime scene incident investigation, evidence recovery and analysis? Keen to develop your investigative and laboratory skills and be trained in the delivery of expert witness testimony? This fascinating and challenging course teaches you skills that are attractive to employers in all fields, giving you the best possible start towards your future career. We create simulated crime scenes and conduct major incident exercises where you react in real time to an unfolding event. You can even prepare a case for court and present it at a simulated trial in a realistic court environment. You’ll see how forensic skills can also be applied within archaeology and in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This course is fully accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Reasons to study Forensic Science at Kent

  • Forensic Science at Kent was ranked 3rd in The Complete University Guide 2023.
  • Apply your knowledge and practical skills in our fantastic forensic investigation facilities, which include a crime scene house and vehicles along with industry standard laboratories.
  • Spend a year on professional placement gaining valuable experience before you graduate. It’s also possible to spend a year studying abroad.
  • Our unique courses teach you the science behind crime scenes, as well as criminal law and specialist modules such as ballistics, DNA analysis and digital forensics.
  • Our Forensic Science degree is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
  • We support you in all areas of your student life with excellent in-house student support to assist with pastoral issues; careers experts with specialist knowledge to help prepare you for a great future; and Academic Advisors and Peer Mentors to help with your studies.
What you'll learn
  • You start by getting to grips with the broad base of knowledge on which forensic science is built, including core chemistry, biochemistry, drug chemistry, and ballistics. You also develop solid investigative and laboratory skills.
  • Next you build on this knowledge to cover analytical chemistry, forensic archaeology, digital forensics, fires and explosions, and firearms. You also are trained in forensic expert witness skills.
  • Our crime scene house helps you to develop your approaches to evidence recording and preservation, and to appreciate the importance of persistence. Extensive use of these practical sessions helps to prepare you for the diverse nature of crime scenes you may encounter in your future career and to develop many transferable skills for the future.

Modules

Year 1 Compulsory modules currently include: Fundamentals of Chemistry Organic Chemistry 1 – Structure and Relativity Applied Maths for Chemists and Forensic Scientists Experimental Chemistry 1 Introduction to Forensic Science Practical Skills in Forensic Science 1 Core Inorganic and Physical Chemistry for Forensic Science Introduction to Ballistics Year 2 Compulsory modules currently include: Analytical Chemistry 1: Methods and Validation Biochemistry: Biomolecules and Enzymes Fundamental Forensic Techniques and Archaeology Digital Forensics Forensic Ballistics and Trauma Analysis Practical Skills in Forensic Science 2 Year 3 Compulsory modules currently include: Analytical Chemistry 2: Advanced Methods Chemistry for the Analysis of Trace Evidence Fires and Explosions DNA Analysis and Interpretation Forensic Science Research Project Contemporary Forensic Practice and the Expert Witness

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F410
Institution code:
K24
Campus name:
Canterbury campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Direct entry into Year 2 of this programme is considered on a case by case basis.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

English language requirements

Applicants should have grade C or 4 in English Language GCSE or a suitable equivalent level qualification.

Please visit our website for further information:

https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements.html

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £22700 Year 1
International £22700 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

Please see the programme page at www.kent.ac.uk for further information on fees and funding options. Please be aware that if the Government permits, the UK fee quoted may increase in line with inflation. Full-time fees for 2024/25 for international students are £22,700 for laboratory programmes and £18,600 for non-laboratory programmes
Forensic Science at University of Kent - UCAS