Course summary
Does the prospect of unravelling a crime scene’s mysteries excite you? Our Forensic Science degree, accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, is designed to give you the skills to succeed in a fascinating and vital sector. Our MSci Forensic Science degree will provide you with practical experience in crime scene processing and photography in our dedicated crime scene house and grounds. You will gain skills in the laboratory analysis of evidence types including fingermarks, trace evidence, footwear marks and digital, Forensic Biology (including analysis of body fluids, bloodstain interpretation, hair analysis and DNA profiling) and Forensic Chemistry (including drug profiling, analysis of explosives and the determination of blood alcohol concentration). A key emphasis will be the interpretation, evaluation and presentation of your findings. In addition, your fourth year will include Masters-level learning to further enhance your subject knowledge and laboratory skills and a 12-week placement, giving you a valuable advantage in the employment market. Our industry standard facilities include a crime scene house, specialist laboratories and equipment to capture fibre evidence and fingerprinting. You will also benefit from expert practitioner input into your degree through our Staffordshire Police Forensic Partnership. On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSci Forensic Science
Modules
Year 1 Introduction to Forensic Chemistry, Introduction to Forensic Biology, Crime Scene Processing, Case Studies in Criminal Justice, Practical Forensic Scientific Techniques, option module. Options include: Forensics in the Media, Fraud and Forgeries, Detection and Analysis of Drugs Year 2 Designing Research Projects, Analytical Methods in Forensic Science, Biological Methods in Forensic Science, Marks and Traces, two option modules Options include: Firearms Investigation, Forensic Archaeology, Vehicle Collision Investigation, Chemical and Biological Interactions in Forensic Science, Forensic Anthropology in the 21st Century Year 3 Forensic Research Project, Collection and Analysis of Evidence, Expert Witness and The Legal System, Modern Forensics, option module. Options include: Techniques in the Identification of Human Remains, Forensic Advice Clinic, Forensic Field School, Synthetic Chemistry for Forensic Science Year 4 Placement, Statistical Approaches in Forensics, Forensic Chemical and Biological Methods, option. Options include: Environmental Forensics and Wildlife Crime, Informatics for Forensics, Forensic Genealogy and Genotyping
Assessment method
Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
How to apply
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:
- 2R14
- Institution code:
- S72
- Campus name:
- University of Staffordshire (Stoke Campus)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma
Student Outcomes
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 |
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
Provider information
University of Staffordshire
College Road
Stoke on Trent
ST4 2DE