Why choose the School of Life Sciences
Our Forensic Science courses tied UK 1st in their subject field for academic support; they rank in the UK top 5 for teaching and learning opportunities; in the top 10 for assessment and feedback, and organisation and management (NSS, 2025).
Our forensic sciences courses rank UK 2nd in their subject field for student satisfaction (CUG, 2026).
Accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, ensuring the course content and teaching are of a high, internationally recognised standard.
About the course
Technological advances have made the role of the forensic scientist increasingly important in crime investigations and other fields such as archaeology. Our degree course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the biological and chemical sciences involved as well as exploring the most recent advances in areas such as DNA analysis, toxicology, criminal psychology, and fire and explosive analysis.
Course accreditation
Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Science is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) so you can be sure its content and teaching are of a high, internationally recognised standard.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Modern STEM building with high-tech labs and bespoke study spaces, providing you with a vibrant and supportive learning environment
- Specialist forensic laboratory with state-of-the-art microscopes and insectary
- Mock crime-scene flat designed as a typical residential home, allowing you to simulate crime scenarios and apply your learning to real-life situations
- Clinical suite for simulated mortuary experience
- Practise for court appearances in the University’s Moot Court
Industry links
Our Life Sciences Liaison Board works with industry professionals across the pharma-biotech, health and food sectors, including Glaxo Smith Kline, the NHS and Cellmark Forensics. Our collaboration within the sector help you establish links and gain valuable work experience.
Student experience
Prepare for future employment with our courses’ hands-on approach to learning.
Put theory into practice in a real-world research project of your choosing.
Our academic team are industry professionals in forensic science.
Study with academics who have world-leading research expertise in areas such as community safety, offending and youth justice; their experience shapes their teaching, keeping you up to date with the latest industry developments.
Explore your prospects and connect with leading employers at our annual STEM Careers Expo.
Learn from our regular masterclasses and interactive demonstrations by industry experts such as Paul Kingdon, former New Scotland Yard detective and police training manager for the Metropolitan Police Service Crime Academy.
Take part in night-time, mock crime-scene investigations at our Putteridge Bury campus.
Gain additional lab-work experience via the Student Skills Lab scheme where you can try out techniques for real-world applications, under the guidance of recent graduates.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Dr Victoria Barlow
I joined the School of Life Sciences in November 2015, having completed my PhD with the Forensic Research Centre at Northumbria University.
Prior to this, I worked for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) from 2006, firstly as a DNA Analyst in the Intelligence Crime Stain Unit and subsequently as an Examiner with the Homicide & Violence Team, alongside being trained to assist with cases for the Sexual Offences Team.
Course Leader - Dr Victoria Barlow
I joined the School of Life Sciences in November 2015, having completed my PhD with the Forensic Research Centre at Northumbria University.
Prior to this, I worked for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) from 2006, firstly as a DNA Analyst in the Intelligence Crime Stain Unit and subsequently as an Examiner with the Homicide & Violence Team, alongside being trained to assist with cases for the Sexual Offences Team.
Year 1
Human anatomy and physiology – Explore the interconnected nature of the body’s systems. Molecular genetics – Develop your understanding of this field, with a focus on cell division and genetic inheritance. Chemistry for forensic scientists – Understand chemical principles and their application in forensic science while developing safe, effective lab skills. Skills for forensic scientists – Build a range of key study skills including analysis, presentation of data and basic lab techniques. Evidence examination skills – Gain foundation skills in the lab-based examination of forensic evidence, including fingerprints and footwear. Psychology and criminal behaviour – Explore the psychology of offending behaviour while examining offender types and criminal career pathways.
Year 2
Skills in science – Build confidence in key skills like experimental design, lab safety, data analysis, finding sources and writing proposals. Animals and plants in crime – Focus on the use of biological evidence in forensic investigations. Crimes against property – Practise laboratory techniques commonly associated with evidence recovered from crimes against property. Biology in forensic science – Explore the different types of biological crime-scene evidence and the roles biologists play within an investigation. Presentation of evidence – Learn basic statistical methods, with a view to evaluating and communicating a variety of scientific findings. Forensic genetics – Learn techniques used in DNA analysis and profiling. Psychology and criminal justice – Explore the role of psychology in criminal justice systems.
Year 3
Forensic science research project – Plan, design and complete a piece of research in an area of interest relevant to the course. Forensic toxicology and drug analysis – Understand where legal and illegal drugs come from, their key properties, and how they are analysed in the lab. Crime scene to court – Work on a simulated forensic investigation, from the recovery of crime-scene evidence to the presentation of results in court. Fire analysis – How fire evidence can be used to reconstruct a crime scene and document events to find the cause of a fire. Advanced applications in forensic genetics – Gain the knowledge and skills to plan an analytical strategy for DNA evidence based on case circumstances. Suspicious death investigation – How to investigate a suspicious death, using forensic techniques to build a biological profile when the deceased is unknown.
The course is designed to introduce students to fundamental principles of anatomy chemistry genetics and crime scene management at level 4. Assessments at level 4 therefore focus on knowledge retention and understanding (end of year examinations) as well as the ability to produce effective reports to present data from laboratory practical sessions. These reports use a structure that is the professional standard for publishing scientific research and encourage students to employ an effective scientific method in considering the background and aim of an experiment the appropriateness of the method employed the reliability of the results obtained and the meaning of the data in a broader scientific context.
As students progress through level 5 they are expected to apply their basic understanding to novel situations and the analysis of more complex scientific phenomena. Although practical reports are still a key assessment method the assessment criteria weighting changes from an emphasis on subject understanding and written structure at level 4 to an emphasis on accurate analysis of the results critical evaluation of the method and data and effective use of literature at level 5. Similarly end of year exams involve short essay answers allowing students to demonstrate broader understanding of the subject material and an ability to apply their knowledge in different contexts.
Students will be introduced to essential topics around the interpretation and presentation of forensic evidence including use of statistics to support casework conclusions how to write both streamlined forensic reports and full witness statements and how to present their findings in court. Additionally level 5 students will complete a scientific proposal assignment in their BHS022-2 skills unit that requires that they assess the published literature to identify a research need that they can address through proposal of a novel experiment/product/service. This requires students to develop and practice the scientific method to generate hypotheses and to consider the commercialisation and broader applicability of the science.
At level 6 students are expected to demonstrate an ability to integrate varied knowledge and to critically evaluate their understanding. Students will write reports based on the laboratory work evaluate and communicate case study information through the production of a scientific webinar as well as further develop their skills in the communication of their findings in their role as an expert witness. Teaching throughout this year is more student focused and students are expected to lead discussion and to devise their own research question to answer a forensic case related query. As part of this project students will be required to assess literature to support their research and design a scientific experiment to test their hypotheses. End of year exams are long essay based to enable students to demonstrate knowledge synthesis and critical evaluation.
Careers
This course is designed to open a range of opportunities in analytical and investigative science. These include working in research organisations and institutes as well as in commercial laboratories plus careers in teaching, scientific publishing and medical sales.
Careers directly linked to your degree might be:
- analytical chemist
- biomedical scientist
- detective
- forensic computer analyst
- forensic scientist
- scientific laboratory technician
- teaching laboratory technician
- toxicologist.
Careerswhere your degree would be useful include:
- further education teacher
- higher education lecturer
- paralegal
- police officer
- science writer
- secondary school teacher
- solicitor.
The careers listed here are for information and guidance purposes only. Many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject. By completing your degree, you have demonstrated skills which are transferable to a range of careers.
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,790 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,790 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
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