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CONTENTS

1. What’s Forensic Science?

2. What Forensic Science degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Forensic Science degree?

4. What topics does a Forensic Science degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Forensic Science?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying Forensic Science?

8. What do Forensic Science graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Forensic Science graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Forensic Science

12. Have any questions?

What’s Forensic Science?

What Forensic Science degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Forensic Science can be either a single or joint honours degree. Usually, you'll earn a BSc (Bachelor of Science) award. Examples of degree options:

Forensic Science BSc

Courses cover the field of Forensic Science, with specialised modules and practical experiences. You’ll cover areas from DNA analysis to criminal law.

Search for Forensic Science courses.

Forensic Psychology BSc

Forensic Psychology degrees revolve around psychology, crime and law. Topics include criminal behaviour, psychological impact on victims, and jury decision-making. 

Find Forensic Psychology courses. 

Cyber Security & Digital Forensics BSc 

This interdisciplinary degree provides you with the skills required to combat cyber threats. Areas you'll learn about could include malware analysis, security risk management and cryptography.

Search for Cyber Security & Digital Forensics courses.

What do you need to get onto a Forensic Science degree?

What topics does a Forensic Science degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Crime mapping
• Criminal intelligence and investigation
• Cybercrime and digital forensics
• Ethical hacking
• Evaluation of crime prevention measures
• Fire analysis
• Fundamentals of forensic science: from crime scene to court
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Probability, statistics and modelling
• Terrorism

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of methods and will vary from module to module:

• Coursework
• Expert witness testimonies
• Case studies or incident analyses
• Essays
• Lab reports
• Exams (practical and written)
• Presentations
• Dissertation

Why study Forensic Science?

Career-specific skills:

• Intellectual and practical skills in areas that could include entomology, forensic photography, drug analysis, fire investigations and accountancy
• Scientific processes such as research, reasoning and lab skills
• Experience of giving evidence in court, and court procedures

Transferable skills:

• Communication (written and verbal)
• Critical and analytical thinking
• IT skills
• Methodical approach to work
• Presentation
• Reasoning and evaluation
• Report writing
• Team working

Professional accreditation:

• Degrees may be accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
• Some may be accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry

What do Forensic Science graduates earn?

Forensic Science graduates can expect an entry-level salary of approx. £20,000. With experience, this can go up to between £25,000–£45,000. Salaries can vary widely. If you plan to fight cybercrime, a senior digital forensic officer at the Serious Fraud Office could earn £40,000–£46,000, depending on experience.

What jobs can you get as a Forensic Science graduate?

Aside from becoming a forensic scientist, the scientific and law-oriented nature of the degree means there are other options available: 

• Analytical scientist
• Crime scene investigator
• Forensic intelligence analyst
• Forensic scientist
• Police officer
• Research scientist
• Teacher
• Toxicologist

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

• Crime and Forensic Science MSc
• Forensic Science MSc/MRes/MPhil/PhD
• Forensic Anthropology MSc
• Forensic Art & Facial Imaging MSc

Similar subjects to Forensic Science

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Sciences
• Criminology
• Food Science
• Materials Technology
• Medical Technology & Bioengineering

Search undergraduate Forensic Science courses now!

Have any questions?

If you have questions about studying Forensic Science, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!