Course content

For the Forensic Science element of the course, you will gain an in-depth understanding of forensic science, taught by academics and forensic professionals, as well as gaining valuable lab and crime scene experience, helping you to stay ahead in this fast-moving science. You will be taught in our modern laboratory facilities and have access to state of the art equipment and our dedicated Crime Scene House. Our forensic science combined honours programmes are recognised by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

This course will provide you with a broad education in the core areas of forensic science. Your studies will focus on key topics in forensic chemistry, analytical science, forensic biology and criminalistics science. You will develop your analytical science skills, enabling you to analyse a variety of forensic of evidence. 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. You may be able to study abroad for a semester (dependant on subject scheduling) or year at one of our partner universities.

The Psychology element of the course, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society enables you to explore why humans think, feel, communicate and act in the ways that they do. At Keele you will find out what the latest research tells us about human behaviour and learn how to design and conduct your own psychological studies in our well-equipped labs using a range of techniques.

The course is taught by staff who are actively engaged in research with specialisms in social psychology, developmental psychology, cognition and neuropsychology, biological psychology health and wellbeing and a range of applied areas. The emphasis of the course is on understanding how psychology impacts on everyday life; from developing a sense of self and negotiating personal relationships to influencing judgments about matters of global significance, such as climate change. At Keele we aim to produce psychology graduates who are ready to use their psychology skills and knowledge to make a real difference.

Course structure

Our degree courses are organised into modules. Each module is usually a self-contained unit of study and each is usually assessed separately with the award of credits on the basis of 1 credit = 10 hours of student effort. An outline of the structure of the programme is provided in the tables below.

There are three types of module delivered as part of this programme. They are:

• Compulsory modules: a module that you are required to study on this course;
• Optional modules: these allow you some limited choice of what to study from a list of modules;
• Elective modules: a free choice of modules that count towards the overall credit requirement but not the number of subject-related credits.

Forensic Science -  A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Forensic Science modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3*	45	15	15	0	0

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Psychology -  A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Psychology modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	15	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3*	45	0	15	0	0

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Year 1 (Level 4)

Forensic Science Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Forensic Science Principles	CHE-10039	15	Autumn
Chemical Science Principles	CHE-10038	15	Autumn
Forensic Analysis	CHE-10037	15	Spring
Forensic Identification	CHE-10042	15	Spring

Year 1 Psychology (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Module code	Credits	Semester
Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology	PSY-10033	15	1
Introduction to Research Design for Psychology	PSY-10036	15	1
Introduction to Biological & Cognitive Psychology	PSY-10034	15	2
Introduction to Statistics for Psychology	PSY-10031	15	2

 

Year 2 (Level 5)

Forensic Science Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Spectroscopy and Advanced Analysis	CHE-20011	15	Autumn
Forensic Genetics	CHE-20021	15	Autumn
Drugs of Abuse	CHE-20012	15	Spring
Criminalistic Methods	CHE-20010	15	Spring

 

Year 2 Psychology  2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Developmental & Social Psychology	PSY-20012	15	1
Qualitative and Survey Research Design	PSY-20043	15	1
Biological and Cognitive Psychology	PSY-20045	15	2
Statistics for Psychology	PSY-20044	15	2

Year 3 (Level 6)

Forensic Science Year 3 (Level 6)

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Evaluation of Evidence: Explosives and Arson	CHE-30033	15	Autumn
Forensic Toxicology	CHE-30010	15	Spring
Forensic Science Team Project	CHE-30011	15	Both
Optional modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Advanced Topics in Forensic Science	CHE-30035	15	Autumn
Forensic Geoscience	CHE-30034	15	Spring

NB: if you choose to specialise in Forensic Science in your final year you will study the following modules:

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Evaluation of Evidence: Explosives and Arson	CHE-30033	15	Autumn
Advanced Topics in Forensic Science	CHE-30035	15	Autumn
Forensic Geoscience	CHE-30034	15	Spring
Forensic Toxicology	CHE-30010	15	Spring
Forensic Science Team Project	CHE-30011	15	Both
Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence	CHE-30028	30	Both
Forensic Science Dissertation	CHE-30029	15	Both

  

Psychology Year 3 (Level 6)

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Final Year Project	PSY-30061	30	1 and 2
Individual Differences and Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology	PSY-30067	15	2
Optional modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Psychology in Education	PSY-30127	15	1
Making a Difference with Psychology	PSY-30134	15	1
The Psychology of Deviance	PSY-30126	15	1
Groups, Crowds and Conflict	PSY-30124	15	1
Faces, Forgetting and Forensic Psychology	PSY-30127	15	1
Health Psychology	PSY-30077	15	1

Note: Students who take semester-long Study Abroad in Year 2 can take ‘Research Methods in Social and Developmental Psychology for Third Year Study Abroad Students’ in Year 3 as an Optional module if required in order to fulfil BPS accreditation requirements.

NB: if you choose to specialise in Psychology in your final year you will study the following modules:

Compulsory modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Final Year Project	PSY-30061	30	1 and 2
Key Readings in Cognitive Psychology	PSY-30099	15	1
Individual Differences and Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology	PSY-30067	15	2
Culture and Psychology	PSY-30125	15	2
Optional modules	Module Code	Credits	Semester
Psychology in Education	PSY-30127	15	1
Making a Difference with Psychology	PSY-30134	15	1
The Psychology of Deviance	PSY-30126	15	1
Groups, Crowds and Conflict	PSY-30124	15	1
Faces, Forgetting and Forensic Psychology	PSY-30127	15	1
Health Psychology	PSY-30077	15	1
Current Perspectives on Autism	PSY-30104	15	2
Everyday Memory & Amnesia	PSY-30114	15	2
Happiness and Wellbeing	PSY-30096	15	2

 Note: Students who take semester-long Study Abroad in Year 2 can take ‘Research Methods in Social and Developmental Psychology for Third Year Study Abroad Students’ in Year 3 as an Optional module if required in order to fulfil BPS accreditation requirements.

 

For further information on the content of modules currently offered, including the list of elective modules, please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/recordsandexams/az

 

The module details given above 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.

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 ABC/BBB
  
• A level Chemistry or Biology at grade B or above.

GCSE requirements

• Maths at C (or 4)
• English at C (or 4)

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DDD
• You must have taken sufficient Chemistry/Biology units, please contact us for advice.

International Baccalaureate

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

Access to HE Diploma requirements

• Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. You must have taken sufficient Chemistry/Biology credits, please contact us for advice.

Please note

*     Reformed GCSE grades for England are stated in brackets
**   If 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.

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

Equipped with key scientific skills, practical experience and vital communication, team working and problem-solving abilities, you will become an independent scientist who will offer a great deal to prospective employers. Graduates of Forensic Science have progressed to a range of different careers, including, within the forensic science sector, analytical laboratories, and teaching.

By completing a Psychology degree from Keele, you are taking the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and a requirement for further study and training for a career in psychology. You could take up any number of very interesting careers in psychology, perhaps working as a neuropsychologist or as a clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, occupational or sports psychologist.

Recent employers

• 2030 Labs LTD
• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
• North Yorkshire Police
• Sandwell and Dudley Hospital
• Nottinghamshire Health
• Aiming High
• Brighter Futures
• NHS
• Civil Service
• HMP
• Mercedes Benz
• NSPCC
• Nuffield Health
• RSPCA
• Local Government

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Forensic Scientist
• Scene of Crime Officer
• Toxicologist
• Microbiologist
• Scientific Laboratory Technician
• Analytical Chemist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Counselling Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Occupational Psychologist
• Research Psychologist
• Sport and Exercise Psychologist
• Neuropsychologist

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.