Course summary
OVERVIEW The BSc (Hons) Forensic Science degree will prepare you for a career in a vital role in the UK and international criminal justice systems through recent advances in analytical sciences and genetics as you will develop expertise in crime scene examination and the scientific examination of recovered materials. This degree will prepare you for life as a forensic scientist capable of using the latest chemical and biological techniques to analyse materials such as drugs, toxicology samples, trace evidence, DNA and ignitable liquids. This will help you in prepare for a career such as a Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) or a civilian forensic support role which assists the police / law enforcement to investigate serious crimes and obtain vital fingerprint or DNA evidence. You will also have access to work-based learning opportunities with industry partners including GlaxoSmithKline. PRACTICAL FOCUS The BSc (Hons) Forensic Science will equip you with the practical and transferable skills for a rewarding career as a forensic scientist in Scotland or abroad. Laboratory work is an important part of your studies, practical exercises include chemical analysis, optical microscopy, biochemical tests, forensic anthropology, fingerprint development and CSI. Other activities will develop transferable skills, these include writing a report on a high-profile case, making a poster presentation, participating in a mock court and giving a presentation on a crime scene.You will be exposed to state-of-the-art specialist software to present investigation findings. Throughtout the course, your lectures are augmented by a variety of activities such as group work, guest speakers from industry. After year 3 you will also have the option to undertake a year’s paid work experience as part of the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (Sandwich award). This is normally spent working in an industry based pharmaceutical or environmental laboratory. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION & YOUR CAREER DEVELOPMENT Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science are eligible to apply for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC). Successful application is, however, dependent on your subject selection within the degree. AMRSC status allows you to start your journey towards chartered status by joining the professional registers. As an AMRSC you can apply to become a Registered Scientist (RSci). CAREER PROSPECTS The BSc (Hons) Forensic Science offers an excellent foundation for a rewarding career in a support services function with the following law enforcement and national security agencies: Police Scotland / UK police forces / HM Customs and Excise / UK Border Force The transferable skills gained also make graduates attractive to many employers in the biotechnology, biomedical, chemical and pharmaceutical industries in environmental protection, accident investigation, distilling and brewing, chemical analysis, drug research, and policing roles. Recent UWS graduates have secured roles, including: Crime scene examiner // Environmental forensic scientist // Counterfeit whiskey investigator // Pharmaceutical researcher // Alzheimer’s disease researcher Further Study Previous graduates from the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science have choose to continue their studies in forensic science on taught MSc degrees and in postgraduate research (PhD) programmes.
Modules
In year 1, you will cover core chemistry and bioscience topics and be introduced to data analysis. In forensic science, a range of topics are studied including drink driving, drugs, fingerprint development, explosions and crime scene investigation. In year 2, core chemistry modules are studied, building knowledge and practical skills in organic, physical and analytical chemistry. Classical and molecular genetics are studied along with a genetics laboratory. Crime scene investigation is studied along with the use of probability and statistics to evaluate forensic evidence. In year 3, a range of forensic topics are examined in greater detail. You will begin to specialise in the treatment and analysis of evidence through modules which include extensive hands-on experience of instrumental techniques used routinely in forensic science investigations. This includes the study of arson (fires and explosions), fibre microscopy, electron microscopy of fire-arms discharge residue, DNA profiling, chemical and biochemical analysis, chromatographic analysis of toxicology samples and the spectroscopic analysis of seized drugs. Crime scene examination is covered in a number of modules with a focus on topics such as contamination prevention, trace evidence recovery and presumptive tests for blood and drugs. Finally, in year 4, specialist modules will deepen your understanding of analytical sciences, forensic biology, toxicology and physical evidence. Students will have hands-on access to the modern instrumental techniques at the forefront of forensic science such as ICP-MS, NMR spectroscopy, GC-MS and Scanning electron microscopy with elemental analysis. A major part of your finaly year of studies is a supervised research project on a topic of your choice. Recent projects include spectroscopy of cannabinoids, novel extraction of benzo-diazepines, development of a fingerprint powder, presumptive tests for saliva and spectroscopic identification of trace evidence.
Assessment method
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops. You will also have the opportunity to take part in group work and independent learning to develop your transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team. This degree is assessed using a variety of assessment methods including: // Written examinations // Coursework // Practical assessments // Reasearch poster presentation // Dissertation
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
25Jan
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:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
- Campus code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 114 points
A level - BBC
Scottish Higher - ABBB
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) in Access to Science (must include Chemistry); Access to Life Sciences, and Access to Medicine.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 108 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - BBBB
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
DUO LINGO In addition ot the above English Language tests, for 2022-23 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £17250* | Year 1 |
| International | £17250* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE