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Forensic Science - BSc (Hons)

Year of entry: 2021
Course type: Single Honours; Combined Honours
Duration of study: 3 years/ 4 years with International Year

Location: Keele University campus
Subject area / School: School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
UCAS code: F415

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Course overview

‌Gain an in-depth understanding of Forensic Science, taught by academics and forensic professionals, as well as valuable lab and crime scene experience, helping you to stay ahead in this fast moving science.

Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.

Your Name

Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

Please provide a contact telephone number *

Country of Residence

Year of Entry

Please Select a Course

Are you interested in a Foundation Year

YesNo

Please enter your question below:

Your Preferences

Please keep me informed using email

YesNo

Please keep me informed using phone

YesNo

Please keep me informed using messages/texts

YesNo

What we’re going to do with your data and why?

We will securely store your data and send you essential information (examples include updates on an application or booking confirmations for events such as Open Days).

How long are we keeping it?

We will keep your data for the year that you first enquire with us plus 6 subsequent years. This is to ensure that you are legally protected should you have any issues with the use of your data.

Unsubscribe

What to do if I change my mind?

Gold

In the Teaching Excellence Framework Also Top 5 in the UK (THE ranking, broad-based universities)

Top 3

in England for overall Student Satisfaction NSS 2019 (broad-based universities)

97%

of research world leading, or of international importance Research Excellence Framework, 2014

Student testimonials

BSc Biology and Forensic Science student quote

Richard Bridgett, BSc Biology and Forensic Science

"After initially graduating I spent time working for the forensic investigations unit of Cheshire Police and for a global pharmaceutical company where I utilised the instrumental skills I acquired through study of chemical analysis." - read more about Richard Bridgett, BSc Biology and Forensic Science

Carlie Whiting, BSc Forensic Science and Criminology

"I definitely feel that the degree course I studied at Keele provided me with an excellent advantage when applying for this job due to the amount of instrumentation we were able to use and the breadth of information we were taught." - read more about Carlie Whiting, BSc Forensic Science and Criminology

Katherine Gorman, Reporting Forensic Scientist - BSc Forensic Science

"A forensic course is a perfect opportunity for you to explore the different disciplines within forensic science and gain an understanding about which path is right for you. The facilities and knowledge available at Keele is excellent and would provide a great foundation for a career in this industry." - read more about Katherine Gorman, Reporting Forensic Scientist - BSc Forensic Science

Course content

You will be taught by a range of academics and forensic professionals using state-of-the-art facilities in our modern laboratories using industry standard equipment. We have a dedicated Crime Scene House that allows you to put the theory into practice. Forensic Science at Keele is ranked No. 1 in England by the Complete University Guide 2020.

Studying this course will allow you to cover the entire forensic process from the collection of evidence at the crime scene to its presentation in court. You will cover key forensic areas such as genetics, anthropology, toxicology, ballistics and arson, alongside newer fields such as digital forensics. You will also develop your analytical science skills, so that you are able to analyse a wide variety of evidence types. This is complemented by additional emphasis on professional practice and an understanding of the roles of the crime scene investigator and the forensic scientist as an expert witness in the court.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Forensic Science 2nd in Complete University Guide

Forensic Science is also available as a Combined Honours degree. It can be studied in the following combinations:

You may also be interested in:

Forensic and Analytical Investigation with Integrated Master's

Keele has been ranked as the No.1 University in England to study Forensic Science (The Complete University Guide, 2020).

Variations to 2020/21 courses

Detailed course content

Year One

During your first year, you will be introduced to key forensic skills and the core chemistry required for the course. These will be complemented with modules providing a context for crime from different perspectives and an understanding of digital infrastructures, such as the internet, and how these are used to facilitate crime.

Other core modules focus on the key spectroscopic techniques used by the forensic scientist in the analysis of trace evidence and the statistical methods needed for data analysis and interpretation of results. You will also be introduced to the biological aspects of forensic science including the study of protein biology, DNA, genetic markers and an introduction to biological sample preparation and analysis.

Year Two

In the second year, the focus is to develop the core themes within the forensic discipline that are directly relevant to professional practice and related evidence types. This will include expanding your understanding of chemical separation techniques such as Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), investigating decomposing and skeletal remains to determine identity, time and cause of death and the interpretation of DNA profiles from biological material.

These topics will be complemented with modules covering the analysis of questioned documents and digital material, the chemistry and effect of illicit drugs on the body and how we investigate marks and impressions left at the crime scene such as blood spatter patterns and fingerprints.

Year Three

In your third year, you will undertake a year-long team research project and an individual dissertation under the direct supervision of a member of staff in an area of forensic science that is of interest to you. You will also get to experience the entire ‘forensic process’ from the collection of evidence at the crime scene to its presentation in court alongside studying topics such as pharmacology, toxicology, explosives, arson, ballistics and forensic geoscience.

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

A Level requirements

A Level requirement BBC
A level Chemistry or Biology at grade B or above.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English Lang/Lit at C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DDM
You must have taken sufficient Chemistry/Biology units, please contact the Admissions team

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

International Baccalaureate

30 points to include Higher Level Chemistry or Biology at 6 or above.

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Chemistry and/or Biology related units. Please contact the Admissions team

Please note

Reformed GCSE grades for England are stated in brackets
If the applicant has not had opportunity to sit AS level in England, please contact the Admissions team

PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Foundation year

Foundation Year Overview

If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science course our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years’ experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll study on campus, joining our community from the outset, and you will have access to a range of support.

Read on to find out about:

Foundation Year indicative modules for the September intake
Foundation Year entry requirements
How to apply
UCAS code for this course

The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course Content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This Foundation Year is a two-semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Forensic Science degree. For example, the Advancing Chemistry module aims to increase your knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts of chemistry in a theoretical context, while also demonstrating the application of concepts in a practical environment. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.

Course Structure

The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

Semester One Modules

FYO-00185	Practical and Academic Skills in Science	15 credits
FYO-00211	Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists	15 credits
FYO-00189	Foundations of Chemistry	15 credits
FYO-00197	Foundations of Life Sciences	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00199	Advancing Life Sciences	30 credits
FYO-00191	Advancing Chemistry	30 credits

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
Relevant work experience

AND

GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above

How to Apply

UK or EU students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Foundation Year (UCAS code F410) through UCAS at www.ucas.com

Direct Entry Students

If you are a UK or EU student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

International Entry

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

All applications for the International Foundation Year and International Degree Programme can be made through UCAS using the UCAS codes below.

Y002 - International Foundation Year (IFY)
Y008 - International Degree Programme (IDP)