MSci Forensic Science (with Foundation Year)
This course is open for applications
Page last updated 1 March 2023
Introduction
Get the academic knowledge, practical experience and first-class professional skills that will fast-track your future.
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, MSci Forensic Science (with Foundation Year) was designed with input from professional forensic scientists to give you a deep understanding of the way science is used to investigate crime.
With a strong emphasis on problem-solving and communicating scientific findings, you'll study everything from crime scene investigation and laboratory analysis, to interpreting, evaluating and presenting evidence.
Learn to use forensic instruments in our industry-standard laboratories and apply your scientific knowledge at simulated crime scenes in our specially-adapted Crime Scene House.
Present evidence and respond to questions in a mock courtroom. Practise being in different forensic science roles, including crime scene investigator, laboratory forensic scientist, reporting officer, fire investigator and blood pattern analyst.
Study advanced topics in your final year, such as practical fire investigation, blood pattern analysis and wildlife forensics, alongside an extended research project.
Guest lectures from inspirational professionals will give you insights into specialist topics and you can tailor the degree to suit your specific interests.
We encourage you to do summer internships, and you can apply to study abroad for a year.
Where can it take me?
The knowledge and skills you'll gain will open up lots of career paths.
You could work with forensic science providers or the Police, or as a laboratory analyst or science teacher. Many students do further study or research, particularly in analytical chemistry or molecular biology.
Your analytical approach to problem-solving will be just as valued in other sectors, like financial services or law.
Watch: The learning and teaching experience
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year zero (foundation year)
You will study:
- Biology in Practice
- Chemistry in Practice
- Skills for Science
- People and Science.
You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into Year one.
Year one
You will study:
- Chemistry in Context
- Human Biological Systems
- Scientific Investigation of Crime
- Scientific Skills.
Year two
You will study:
- Law and Expert Evidence
- Forensic Analysis
- Drugs and Toxicology.
Plus, one module set from:
- Instrumental Analytical Science and Molecular Genetics
- Instrumental Analytical Science and Medicinal Chemistry
- Molecular genetics and Forensic Biology.
Placement year (if applicable)
If you study on the six 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.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
Year three
You will study:
- Forensic Project.
Plus, one optional module set from:
- Advanced Analytical Science and Forensic Analysis and Toxicology
- Forensic Biology and Genetics and Genomics Technologies.
Plus, one optional module from:
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Forensic Psychology
- Professional Practices in Applied Sciences*.
And one optional module from:
- Environmental Forensics
- Neuropharmacology
- Science Communication.
Final year
You will study:
- Research in Practice
- Advanced Crime Scene Science
- Wildlife Forensics
- Forensic Science and Society.
*Compulsory if you do a placement.
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 will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Through a balanced mix of lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory work, you'll learn about the practical application of forensic science, and develop strong problem-solving and communication skills.
Search a crime scene at the Crime Scene House, examine the evidence, write a report for court and face questioning in our mock courtroom.
Attend guest lectures with professionals from forensic science, through our links with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Scientific Investigations and a local Home Office forensic pathologist.
Learn about the problem solving approaches which sit at the heart of forensic science, and learn how to communicate scientific findings.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 1 | 27% | 73% | 0% |
| 2 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 3 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 4 | 12% | 88% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Making connections
Drawing on our strong connections with other faculties - 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.
Assessment
We'll assess your coursework and you'll have examinations in all modules, although the assessments in Year one won't contribute to your final degree mark. Your Final year project is also assessed.
We use different types of assessment to reflect the range of theoretical concepts, knowledge and practical skills we cover on the course.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 40% | 60% | 0% |
| 1 | 40% | 50% | 10% |
| 2 | 47% | 50% | 3% |
| 3 | 60% | 34% | 6% |
| 4 | 25% | 75% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Features
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 a paid summer internship or year-long placement in a relevant workplace.
If you choose the six year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.
You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from department staff and our award-winning careers service.
Study facilities
Benefit from specialist forensic equipment in our advanced science laboratories. Conduct crime scene investigations in our simulation suite, adapted Crime Scene House and outdoor crime scene area. You'll search a scene, examine the evidence, write a report for court and face questioning in our mock courtroom.
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. Develop the practical skills needed for your forensic science career, such as documenting and processing a crime scene, interpretation of blood patterns and presenting evidence in court.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Get a feel for the Forensic Science facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.
Life
Careers
Careers / Further study
Forensic science graduates go into varied types of laboratory work, and a significant number become science teachers.
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.
Graduates have gone onto work with some of the country's largest forensic science providers, including LGC Forensics, Orchid Cellmark and Key Forensics, as well as in a range of roles with the Police.
Many graduates continue in research leading to a PhD, and others decide to take their study of law further and complete a one-year law conversion course to become a barrister.
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.
See also:
Fees
Indicative Additional Costs
Full-time; sandwich course
Supplementary fee information
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the six year course and then transfer to the five year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
Additional costs
Additional costs are for 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
- Tariff points: 48
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Literature, Mathematics and Double Science, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy as alternatives to GCSEs.
- 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 will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: A minimum of an AS in a Science subject.
- Relevant subjects: Subjects that meet the Science requirement for this course: Applied Science, Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Geology, Maths. Use of Maths, Physics, Psychology, Science in the Environment, Statistics.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: Six units in a Science subject. Please list the units you are studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email us.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: Level 3 credits in Science.
- Baccalaureate IB: To include Science at Higher Level.
- Irish Highers: A minimum of O4 in a Science subject.
- T Levels: You must be studying Science. For further advice on acceptable subjects please email us.
Entry requirements
If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for MSci Forensic Science.
International applicants
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year one of the degree.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644