Course summary
The requirements for forensic investigation around ballistics is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s world. The need for expertise to understand gun crime, examination of firearms and the science of ballistics is becoming crucial for armed and non-armed forces worldwide. Our Forensic Ballistics MSc is often attended by students from several different European, African and North American countries meaning the experience you will gather networking and discussing ideas with multiple different people will be invaluable. The courses benefits from facilities that no other university in the UK can offer, and our close relationship with the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom and MOD allows us access to facilities unrivalled elsewhere. You are able to sample electives from other areas of Forensics to build your knowledge. The MSc offers a comprehensive look at Ballistics whilst electives can look into amongst others, explosions and explosives, heritage crime and impact and protection.
Modules
Core modules: analytical techniques; courtroom skills; failure analysis of components; firearms investigations; forensic ballistic investigations; investigation and evidence collection; reasoning for forensic science; introduction to firearms investigations and forensic ballistics; materials engineering and processing. Electives: fakes and forgeries; fires, explosions and their investigation; forensic archaeology: recovering buried remains; forensic investigation of explosives and explosive devices; fundamentals of forensic anthropology: osteology; mass fatality incidents; radiographic investigations in forensic science; trace evidence; hazardous forensics; forensic exploitation and intelligence; digital crime and investigation; approach to failure investigation and analysis; counter improvised explosive devices capability.
Assessment method
By written and practical examinations, continuous assessment, project presentation and viva voce.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Forensic Science Society
Entry requirements
1st or 2nd Class Honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such as a science, archaeology, anthropology, engineering, forensics, materials, or the professional equivalent. If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows: IELTS - 7; TOEFL - 100; Pearson PTE Academic - 68; Cambridge English Scale - 190; Cambridge English: Advanced – with a minimum of Grade A; Cambridge English: Proficiency – with a minimum of Grade B.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £24720 | Whole course |
| England | £11330 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £11330 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £11330 | Whole course |
| Wales | £11330 | Whole course |
| International | £24720 | Whole course |
Additional fee information
* Fees can be paid in full up front, or in equal annual instalments. Students who complete their course before the initial end date will be invoiced the outstanding fee balance and must pay in full prior to graduation.
Provider information
Cranfield University
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL