Forensic & Medical Sciences (with a placement year)
Entry requirements
A level
112 UCAS tariff points to include A Level Chemistry or Biology minimum grade B with passes in any Science practicals.
As UCAS tariff. Science subject required. Must include a minimum of 12 credits of Chemistry or Biology at minimum Distinction.
112 UCAS tariff points to include Higher Level Chemistry or Biology at grade 6 plus two other Higher Level subjects at grade 5. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B. (Language A: Literature, Literature and Performance and Language ab initio are not accepted).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Science subject required - must include a minimum of three Chemistry or Biology related units.
As UCAS tariff to include Advanced Higher Biology or Chemistry at grade B. Applicants should also have minimum grade C or above in English, Maths and Science Ordinary subjects.
UCAS Tariff
112 UCAS tariff points to include A Level Chemistry or Biology minimum grade B plus GCSE English, Mathematics and a Science at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).
About this course
This course develops skills in core biomedical, chemical and forensic sciences, helping you become a skilled forensic practitioner.
The emphasis is on biosciences, and then shifts towards disease processes and forensic investigation of physical evidence types.
In addition to the pursuit of core sciences, you will study forensic investigation in anthropology and topics relating to archaeology - including the degradation of human remains and physical materials - which will develop your skills in forensic interpretation. The final year develops your professional skills through a forensic research dissertation.
The course prepares you for a wide range of careers, including those in the professional medical and forensic sectors because of its broad basis and application.
**Placement year**
You can spend a year in a laboratory environment as a paid employee of an approved organisation.
This experience allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems, learn about work practices, and improve your career prospects.
**Professional accreditation**
This course is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
**Rankings**
We are ranked 7th in the UK for Forensic Science in the Complete University Guide 2021.
Modules
Year 1: Cell and Tissue Biology (core), Human Genetics and Developmental Biology (core), Introductory Biochemistry (core), Introductory Microbiology (core), Principles of Forensic and Crime Scene Investigation (core), Scientific Practice 1 (core), Scientific Practice 2 (core) Year 2: Cellular Pathology (core), Clinical Biochemistry (core), Forensic Examination and Analysis of Physical Evidence (core), Medical Microbiology (core), Molecular Genetics (core), Analytical Biochemistry (option), English Legal Systems 1 (option), English Legal Systems 1 & 2 (option), Haematology and Transfusion Science (option), Immunology (option), Pathophysiology and Pharmacology of Systems 1 (option), Pathophysiology and Pharmacology of Systems 2 (option), Personal, Professional and Expert Witness Skills (option), Toxicology (option) Year 3: Industrial Placement (Diploma Industrial Studies) (core) Year 4: Interpretation & Presentation of Forensic Evidence (core), Medical Genetics (core), Research Project (core) ,Biology of Disease (option), Biometrics and Human Identification (option), Electron Microscopy (option), Forensic Anthropology (option), Introduction to Forensic Archaeology for Forensic Scientists (option), Introduction to Forensic Taphonomy (option), Introduction to the Chemistry of Human Remains (option), Research Topics 1 in Medical Cell Pathology (option), Research Topics in Medical Biochemistry 1 (option), Research Topics in Medical Microbiology 1 (option)
Assessment methods
You will demonstrate your achievement via written closed-book examinations using constructed- (essays, short answers) and selected response (MCQ) questions and a variety of coursework assignments, including laboratory reports, oral presentations and dissertation. The development of learning outcomes will be through involvement in laboratory, small-group workshops, case-based work and projects (individual and small group). They will be assessed by critical appraisal, case analysis and critique, case presentations, laboratory reports and dissertation. Your performance whilst in work will be assessed by your line-manager or work-place supervisor, and on completion of the placement, you will submit a written report and present a poster in the early part of the final year, both of which will also be assessed. These assessments are made to measure your communication skills in formal reports and in poster presentation to a range of audiences.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
University of Bradford
School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences
What 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.
Biosciences (non-specific)
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)
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.
Biosciences (non-specific)
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
These stats refer to the prospects of graduates from general courses in biosciences. About a quarter go into further study and for those who go into work, bioscience, teaching and finance jobs are the most common types of employment. But you can go into most careers with this kind of degree — the majority of jobs for graduates don’t ask for a particular degree subject - and you will acquire a wide range of skills valued by many employers. If you want to find out more specifically about the prospects for your chosen subject, it might be a good idea to go on open days and talk to tutors about what previous graduates from your chosen subject went on to do.
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 about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Biosciences (non-specific)
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£20k
£24k
£26k
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.
Forensic and archaeological sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£15k
£20k
£22k
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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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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