About the course
Bringing together the emerging fields of forensic science and criminology, this course gives you the lab skills and practical crime-scene experience of the scientist combined with a criminological exploration of why people commit crime, and the role of the police and criminal justice system in its prevention.
Our degree provides you with a foundation in the biological and chemical sciences that apply to forensic science as well as exploring criminological theory, crime-scene investigation and the role of scene-of-crime officers. In the Criminology units, you gain understanding of how data can be analysed to identify and predict factors that may cause people to commit crime. You also explore the role of forensic science, the police and the criminal justice system in the prevention, deterrence and punishment of criminal behaviour.
The course has been designed to develop your skills in laboratory analysis; the interpretation and evaluation of evidence; and the communication of scientific findings. You also learn how to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different criminological explanations; make reasoned arguments; and bring together information from different sources.
Why choose this course?
- Our Forensic Science courses rank in the top 10 for overall student satisfaction, out of 37 HE institutions offering the subect (Complete University Guide, 2023)
- Explore topics at the forefront of current developments in forensic science
- Study in a specialist forensic laboratory, with key laboratory skills incorporated into most of the units
- Learn the skills and techniques needed to evaluate a real-life crime scene in our scene-of-crime lab, designed to resemble an 'normal' flat
- Work with a Forensic Science team that includes international experts in the psychology of criminal behaviour and forensics experts from a variety of operational backgrounds
- Acquire key transferable skills including in oral and written communication; IT; group and team work; analysis; critical thinking; and problem solving
- Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry, gaining work experience, building your CV and making contacts for the future
- If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year which guarantees you a place on the degree course
Find out what more we can offer YOU at BedsCourse 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.
Find out more about Dr Victoria Barlow
About the course
Bringing together the emerging fields of forensic science and criminology, this course gives you the lab skills and practical crime-scene experience of the scientist combined with a criminological exploration of why people commit crime, and the role of the police and criminal justice system in its prevention.
Our degree provides you with a foundation in the biological and chemical sciences that apply to forensic science as well as exploring criminological theory, crime-scene investigation and the role of scene-of-crime officers. In the Criminology units, you gain understanding of how data can be analysed to identify and predict factors that may cause people to commit crime. You also explore the role of forensic science, the police and the criminal justice system in the prevention, deterrence and punishment of criminal behaviour.
The course has been designed to develop your skills in laboratory analysis; the interpretation and evaluation of evidence; and the communication of scientific findings. You also learn how to assess the strengths and weaknesses of different criminological explanations; make reasoned arguments; and bring together information from different sources.
Why choose this course?
- Our Forensic Science courses rank in the top 10 for overall student satisfaction, out of 37 HE institutions offering the subect (Complete University Guide, 2023)
- Explore topics at the forefront of current developments in forensic science
- Study in a specialist forensic laboratory, with key laboratory skills incorporated into most of the units
- Learn the skills and techniques needed to evaluate a real-life crime scene in our scene-of-crime lab, designed to resemble an 'normal' flat
- Work with a Forensic Science team that includes international experts in the psychology of criminal behaviour and forensics experts from a variety of operational backgrounds
- Acquire key transferable skills including in oral and written communication; IT; group and team work; analysis; critical thinking; and problem solving
- Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry, gaining work experience, building your CV and making contacts for the future
- If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year which guarantees you a place on the degree course
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.
Why Study in the School of Life Sciences?
- Specialist laboratories in new £40m STEM building
- 92% satisfaction with Biological Science, NSS 2020
Units
- Chemistry (BHS022-1) Compulsory
- Human Anatomy And Physiology (BHS004-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Criminology (ASS073-1) Compulsory
- Molecular Genetics (BHS016-1) Compulsory
- Skills In Forensic Science (BHS005-1) Compulsory
- Animals And Plants In Crime (BHS046-2) Compulsory
- Biology In Forensic Science (BHS047-2) Compulsory
- Crimes Against Property (BHS045-2) Compulsory
- Crimes Of The Powerful (ASS056-2) Compulsory
- Cybercrime (ASS112-2) Compulsory
- Skills In Science (BHS022-2) Compulsory
- Theorising Crime, Punishment And Justice (ASS100-2) Compulsory
- Forensic Analysis (BHS039-3) Compulsory
- Integrated Forensic Research Project (BHS040-3) Compulsory
- Interpretation And Presentation Of Evidence (BHS038-3) Compulsory
- Sass Change Maker Research Dissertation (ASS142-3) Compulsory
- Urban Crime (ASS144-3) Compulsory
How will this course improve my career prospects?
As a graduate you will possess the knowledge and skills for subject-related employment, such as in a forensic laboratory, the police, probation and prison service, as well as non-subject-related employment in a wider range of careers within academic or government research, the biotechnology industry, social work or education.
*international students are eligible of receiving the VS'S scholarship of 1000GBP
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.