Overview

 Why study forensic science?

Forensic scientists apply scientific analysis to criminal and civil investigations, producing evidence that’s admissible in a court of law.

It’s a fascinating and rigorous scientific discipline that will build your knowledge of biology and chemistry, as well as your advanced problem-solving, data interpretation and communication skills.

Covering crime scenes, laboratory and courtroom work, forensic science offers a springboard into rewarding careers in the justice system and beyond.    

Why Newcastle?

BSc(Hons) Forensic Science is accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. It was designed with input from professional forensic scientists to give you a deep understanding of the way science is used to investigate the crime.

With a strong emphasis on problem-solving and communicating scientific findings, you’ll study everything from crime scene investigation and laboratory analysis to interpreting, evaluating and presenting evidence.

Learn to use forensic instruments in our industry-standard laboratories.

Apply your scientific knowledge at simulated crime scenes in our specially-adapted Crime Scene House. Present evidence and respond to questions in our mock courtroom.

Guest lectures from inspirational professionals will give you insights into specialist topics and you can tailor the degree to suit your specific interests.

You’ll be encouraged to do summer internships and placements, and you can apply to spend a year studying abroad.

Where can it take me?

The knowledge and skills you’ll gain will open up lots of career paths.

You could work with forensic science providers or the Police, or as a laboratory analyst. Many students do postgraduate study, particularly in toxicology, forensic anthropology, osteology and archaeology.

Your analytical approach to problem-solving will be just as valued in other sectors, like teaching or the legal profession. 

Accreditation

The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation is your assurance that the University meets quality standards.

Institutional Accreditation

Regional accreditation is an institution-level accreditation status granted by one of six U.S. regional accrediting bodies. Accreditation by more than one regional accrediting body is not permitted by the U.S. Department of Education.

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

 

BSc (Hons)Forensic Science

Course Level:

Undergraduate

Credits 

180

Course

codeF756

How long it takes:

Three Years, Four Years Sandwich

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$15000.00

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year one

You will study:

  • Chemistry in Context
  • Human Biological Systems
  • Scientific Investigation of Crime
  • Scientific Skills.

Year two

You will study:

  • Forensic Analysis
  • Law and Expert Evidence
  • Drugs and Toxicology.

Plus, one combination of modules from:

  • Forensic Biology and Molecular Genetics
  • Instrumental Analytical Science and Molecular Genetics
  • Instrumental Analytical Science and Medicinal Chemistry.

Final year

You will study:

  • Forensic Project.

Plus, one combination of modules from:

  • Advanced Analytical Science; and Forensic Analysis and Toxicology
  • Forensic Biology and Genetics; and Genomic Technologies.

Plus, one optional module from:

  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Professional Practices in Applied Science*.

And one optional module from:

  • Neuropharmacology
  • Science Communication
  • Environmental Forensics.

*Compulsory if you do a placement.

You can get a balanced forensic science degree by studying one biology and one chemistry option in year two, and then choosing the options that appeal to you in year three.

Alternatively, you can choose a specialist route in Year two and Final year, which means you’ll have Forensic Science or Forensic Science in your degree title.

We can advise you on which modules to choose and the implications for your career and your membership of the professional bodies.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
  • An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.

See further details of our English Language requirement

Fees Amount (£)
Home/EU-Full Time-Annual (Per Year) Fee 9250
Home/EU-Full Time-Module Fee (15 Credit) 1156
International-Full Time-Annual (Per Year) Fee 13000
International-Full Time-Module Fee (15 Credit) 1625

 

Careers / Further study

Studying for the GDL is a stepping stone in achieving a successful career as a solicitor or barrister. Many students who complete the GDL go on to study the LLM in Advanced Legal Practice (LPC LLM) or Bar Professional Training Studies (BPTS) to achieve these career ambitions.

Watch Sarah’s story and find out how studying the GDL and LPC have helped her land her training contract with leading law firm TLT.

Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity,and access to employer events.

Learning and Teaching

Through a balanced mix of lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory work, you’ll learn about the practical application of forensic science, and develop strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Learn about three main areas: biological sciences, especially DNA analysis and the action of drugs on the body; chemical analysis and techniques for examining inanimate objects; and forensic science topics, such as fingerprinting, document examination and crime scene procedures.

You’ll also learn about the legal aspects of forensic evidence and carry out an independent research project.

Search a crime scene at the Crime Scene House, examine the evidence, write a report for court and face questioning in our mock courtroom.

Attend guest lectures with professionals from forensic science, through our links with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Scientific Investigations and a local Home Office forensic pathologist.

Learn about the problem-solving approaches which sit at the heart of forensic science, and learn how to communicate scientific findings.

Approximate percentage of time you’ll spend in different learning activities*:

Year Scheduled learning and teaching study Independent study Placement study
1 27% 73% 0%
2 24% 76% 0%
3 17% 66% 17%

*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year

Making connections

Drawing on our strong connections with other faculties especially law you’ll get a rounded understanding of all areas of forensic science.

Join our thriving Forensic Science Society, to tap into interesting events and presentations from world-leading practitioners.

Assessment

We assess all your coursework and you’ll have examinations in all modules, although the assessments in Year one won’t contribute to your final degree mark. Your Final year project is also assessed.

We use different types of assessment to reflect the range of theoretical concepts, knowledge and practical skills we cover on the course.

See our full glossary of assessment terms.

Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:

Year Written exam assessment Coursework assessment Practical exam assessment
1 40% 50% 10%
2 47% 50% 3%
3 40% 50% 10%

*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year