BSc(Hons) Forensic Science
Page last updated 6 March 2025
Specialist routes available in Biology and Chemistry.
This course is open for applications.
Introduction
Accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, BSc(Hons) Forensic Science gives you a compelling mix of academic knowledge, practical experience, and advanced skills to fast-track your career.
Accreditations and partnerships:
Why study forensic science?
Forensic scientists apply scientific analysis to criminal and civil investigations, producing evidence that's admissible in a court of law.
It's a fascinating and rigorous scientific discipline that will build your knowledge of biology and chemistry, as well as your advanced problem-solving, data interpretation and communication skills.
Covering crime scenes, laboratory and courtroom work, forensic science offers a springboard into rewarding careers in the justice system and beyond.
Why UWE Bristol?
Accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, BSc(Hons) Forensic Science was designed with input from professional forensic scientists to give you a full understanding of the way science is used to investigate crime.
You'll gain hands on experience with a diverse breadth of forensic instrumentation in our fantastically equipped, industry-standard laboratories.
Our state-of-the art crime scene simulation suite enables you to develop key practical skills in crime scene processing across volume and serious crime in both domestic and commercial contexts.
You'll also have the opportunity to experience the role of an expert witness by presenting evidence and responding to questions in our realistic mock courtrooms.
Guest lectures from inspirational professionals will give you insights into specialist topics and our course structure means you can tailor the degree to suit your specific interests.
Additionally, you'll be encouraged to undertake summer internships and placements, with workshops and specialist support available to assist with your applications.
Where can it take me?
The knowledge and skills you'll gain through this degree are widely transferable to other fields and disciplines. As a result, you'll not only be qualified to work within the forensic science industry, but it will also open many career paths in allied sectors such as pharmaceutical, environmental, and biomedical laboratories in addition to professions in policing, law, and teaching.
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Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
You'll study:
- Chemistry in Context
- Human Biological Systems
- Scientific Investigation of Crime
- Scientific Skills.
Year two
You'll study:
- Forensic Analysis
- Law and Expert Evidence
- Drugs and Toxicology.
Plus, one of these combinations:
- Instrumental Analytical Science and Genetics
- Instrumental Analytical Science and Medicinal Chemistry
- Forensic Biology and Genetics.
Placement year (if applicable)
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.
You'll complete a placement learning module Professional Practice in Applied Sciences.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
Final year
You'll study:
- Crime Scene to Court
- Research Dissertation Project.
Plus:
- Forensic Analysis and Toxicology or Forensic Biology and Genetics
Plus, one optional module (depending on credit requirement) from:
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Forensic Psychology.
And one optional module (depending on credit requirement) from:
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology
- Science Communication
- Environmental Forensics.
The course is designed to enable students to tailor the degree to their own interests and aspirations.
You can get a balanced forensic science degree by studying one biology and one chemistry option in year two, and then choosing the options that appeal to you in year three. Alternatively, you can choose a specialist route in year two and year three, by selecting all biology or all chemistry modules.
We can advise you on which modules to choose to give a desired specialty and the implications for your career and your membership of relevant professional bodies.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
You'll learn through a balance of active teaching and learning methods in timetabled sessions facilitated by the academic and technical teams, plus tutorial support, and independent study. These include lectures, tutorials, practical classes, and computer workshops. These sessions will be primarily face-to-face and take place using teaching and technical resources on Frenchay Campus, although blended learning methods may be used to enhance your learning experience.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Making connections
Drawing on our strong connections with other Schools, especially Law, you'll get a rounded understanding of all areas of forensic science.
Join our thriving Forensic Science Society, to tap into interesting events and presentations from world-leading practitioners.
Study time
In a typical week, you're likely to be timetabled with academic and technical staff for an average of 12 hours. You'll also spend a further 12-18 hours completing additional reading, practise activities and assessment tasks through independent self-study.
Studying at degree level means you'll need to manage your independent study time. You'll be expected to prepare for scheduled sessions, through activities such as preparatory reading, and to complete post-session activities, to consolidate your learning, and work on your assessment tasks.
Assessment
You'll be assessed on your learning throughout the course through varied assessments.
To ensure you develop key skills for your career, our assessments often mirror the tasks required of a professional forensic scientist. For example, you'll complete assessed crime scene examinations and associated industry standard documentation.
You'll be assessed on your production of witness statements, your presentation of expert witness testimony in court, and your practical laboratory skills and understanding of key forensic instrumentation.
Additionally, other assessments are designed to help you develop key academic skills required to be a professional scientist, such as scientific writing and critical evaluation.
Features
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences in all the relevant component standards: crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis and interpretation, evaluation and presentation of evidence.
We'll also encourage you to join the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Society of Biology.
Placements
Students who go on work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
We'll encourage you to apply for paid summer internships and placements in a relevant workplace.
You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from college staff and our award-winning careers service.
Study facilities
You'll get hands on in our purpose-built Simulation Suite on Frenchay Campus. This facility comprises of four interactive learning rooms, with video and audio links to breakout rooms, and a mock flat and post office for crime scene simulations. We also have specialist areas to complete outdoor crime scene examinations and a garage to complete vehicle scene examinations. Additionally, you'll benefit from specialist forensic equipment in our advanced scientific laboratories, enabling you to analyse a wide variety of forensic evidence. Our mock courtrooms also allow you to gain realistic experience of presenting expert witness testimony.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Forensic Science facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
The knowledge and skills you'll gain through this degree are widely transferable to other fields and disciplines. As a result, you'll not only be qualified to work within the forensic science industry, but it will also open many career paths in allied sectors.
Our graduates have successfully gained employment as crime scene investigators and finger mark analysts within local and neighbouring police forces. Our graduates have also gone on to work with some of the country's largest forensic science providers, including Cellmark and Eurofins.
Additionally, our graduates have used their skills within NHS laboratories, pharmaceutical laboratories, as well as in environmental monitoring services.
Many graduates also choose to pursue postgraduate study, particularly in specialist fields such as toxicology and anthropology, in addition to postgraduate research degrees.
The scientific problem solving, numerical and communication skills you'll gain will also put you in a strong position for working in other sectors, from financial services to law, with several students recently securing employment as data scientists within large corporations.
Some graduates take their study of law further and complete a one-year law conversion course to become a barrister, while others pursue careers in teaching and education.
Overall, a forensic science degree can be a fantastic stepping stone into a broad range of careers.
As a graduate, you'll be eligible to apply for a range of postgraduate courses at UWE Bristol, which will give you advanced knowledge and support your career development. These include MSc Biomedical Science, MSc Applied Transfusion and Transplantation Science, MRes Applied Sciences, MSc Sustainable Food Systems, MSc Health Technology, MSc Science Communication and MSc Applied Wildlife Conservation.
Get inspired
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Fees
Full time course
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
Additional costs
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
Entry
Typical offers
You will need to meet the following Level 2 requirements:
- GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English, Mathematics and Double Science, or equivalent.
In addition to the above Level 2 qualifications, you'll need to achieve the published tariff points from your Level 3 studies prior to entry. Below is an indicative list of the main qualification types. However, we will consider any Level 3 qualifications towards meeting our entry requirements.
- Tariff points: 112
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- English Language Requirement:
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: Grade B in Biology or Chemistry.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: Six units in Biology or Chemistry. Please list the units you are studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email admissions (contact details below). For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Biology or Chemistry.
- Baccalaureate IB: A minimum Grade 6 in Higher Level Biology or Chemistry. We accept the IB Career-related Programme in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications.
- Irish Highers: H2 in Biology or Chemistry.
- Welsh Baccalaureate: We accept tariff points achieved from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in conjunction with other Level 3 qualifications. This qualification cannot be used to satisfy any subject specific entry requirements.
- Cambridge Technical: Six units in Biology or Chemistry. Please list the units you are studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email admissions (contact details below). For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- T Levels: Science or Healthcare Science. If you partially achieve your T Level, you can meet our subject requirements if you have at least a C in your Core Section. For further advice on acceptable subjects please email admissions (contact details below).
Entry requirements
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for BSc(Hons) Forensic Science (with Foundation Year).
International applicants
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the Country Information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.ukInternational/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644