Forensic Science (with a placement year)
UCAS Code: F416
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Other A Level combinations possible to achieve 112 points. Minimum of 2 A Levels, can be combined with other Level 3 qualifications eg. AS levels/Extended Project to achieve 112 points
Can be combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 points
Access Pass Access with 15 credits at Pass Some courses require credits in specific subject areas.
Can be combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 points
HNC (BTEC)
May be considered for advanced entry onto the second year of the degree. Subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content of level 4. A transcript will be required.
HND (BTEC)
May be considered for advanced entry onto the second year of the degree. Subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content of level 4. A transcript will be required.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Made up of 6 components - usually comprising of 3 subjects at 'higher level' and 3 at 'standard' level. Opportunity to add on to points with extended essay and theory of knowledge. All the above attract UCAS points. Potential to meet the points by not passing all six component of qualification
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
Grade combinations below 112 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 points
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Grade combinations below 112 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 points
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Grade combinations below 112 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 points
Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 tariff points
Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers.
Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved from either five Highers or a combination of two Highers offered with two Advanced Highers. Where only Highers have been taken a minimum of (BBCCC) are required.
UCAS Tariff
We welcome a wide range of qualifications and qualification combinations. We assess each application individually, taking in to account any experience and skills you may have in your chosen field. Don't worry if you can't see your specific qualification listed, just contact our team of experts on 01782 294400 or email us at enquiries@staffs.ac.uk for further advise
About this course
If you want to develop scientific expertise and advanced problem solving, applying it to very practical demands, our Forensic Science degree may be for you.
Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Science degree has been designed to develop scientific expertise, advanced analytical problem solving and transferable skills. The course is ideal for those who are interested in the application of science within the criminal justice system.
The MSci course combines Bachelors-level and Masters-level study in one integrated programme. Whichever degree you choose to complete, you will benefit from our highly practical approach to learning. You will gain hands-on experience using a range of instruments and techniques used in forensic science, such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), DNA profiling, blood splatter analysis, drug profiling and scanning electron microscopy. Our industry standard facilities include a crime scene house and specialist laboratories.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Forensic Science
Work placements
If you choose to complete one of our sandwich courses with a work placement between the second and final years of the course, our placement staff will work with you to identify a suitable location for your work placement. Please also note that you are responsible for any costs incurred in travelling to and from your work placement, and for any accommodation costs.
Modules
Year 1 Core modules: Introduction to Forensic Science, Chemical Principles for Forensic Science, Biological Principles for Forensic Science, Crime Scene Documentation
Year 2 Core modules: Methods of Crime Detection, DNA Profiling and Forensic Biology, Methods of Chemical Analysis, Research Skills and Professional Skills
Year 3: Placement year
Year 4 Core modules: Independent Project, Investigating and Reporting Crime Scenes, Expert Witness and Legal System
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Staffordshire University (Stoke Campus)
Law, Policing and Forensics
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See your living costsWhat students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Forensic and archaeological sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Forensic and archaeological sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?The statistics here primarily reflect the prospects for forensic science graduates - they make up over three quarters of the group. While there are not a lot of jobs available in forensics itself just at the moment, reflected in the overall unemployment rates for forensic science graduates, there are still jobs for graduates from these subjects as they learn useful analysis techniques that some employers can find in short supply. Last year's graduates went into analysis work in labs, technician roles and general research, and for those looking a little wider, business roles and management also employed forensics graduates. Some graduates join the police with this degree and that can be a good source of sponsorship and work experience.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Forensic science
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£16k
£20k
£21k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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