Forensic Science (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

Course overview

This BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (with Foundation Year) degree course includes an integrated foundation year - ideal if you don't have the required entry qualifications for direct admission to Year 1 of our BSc (Hons) degree course.

You can complete an optional work placement year as part of this degree course at no extra cost.

We are an established UK centre for forensic and crime scene science education and work closely with local police forces including Durham Constabulary, Cleveland Police and Northumbria Police. Durham Constabulary is one of our strategic partners, which offers research project opportunities. We also enjoy close links with forensic science providers, the Government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the College of Policing. These links enhance your learning and contribute to our excellence in forensic research.

Forensic science has an important role to play in modern society and can lead to an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career. Our degree, a multidisciplinary area of study, reflects the skills required by the modern forensic and graduate scientist. Besides extensive skills development in the background and practice of current methods of scientific forensic analysis, grounding is also given in the investigative processes from recovering evidence through to presenting it in court.

Taking criminal investigation as an example, fragments of glass, paint flakes, fibres, footwear marks or DNA extracted from body fluids can help provide evidence to link individuals with each other or with the scene of a crime. The challenge is deciding which samples to examine and how to obtain the best evidential value by analysing and interpreting them.

In addition to learning the vital skills relevant to a forensic scientist, the course is multidisciplinary such that you will also develop an in-depth understanding of key biology and chemistry subjects such as biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, toxicology and analytical chemistry.

Potential careers include work related to crime and forensic investigation, forensic science, forensic anthropology, analytical chemistry, pharmaceuticals and teaching to name just a few.

Career opportunities

Forensic science graduates can find employment in a wide range of sectors - you are not restricted to a forensic scientist role. You have enhanced employment prospects in sectors which include medical, scientific and research laboratories, chemical and processing industries, the legal profession, probation service, police, Ministry of Defence, Home Office, trading standards, criminal justice agencies. With our focus on science communication, some graduates choose to pursue a career in teaching.