BSc (Hons)

Forensic Science

Experience the full journey of evidence from crime scene to courtroom, mastering advanced forensic science techniques with extensive lab practice.

How to apply Apply Through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us

Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    F125

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • UCAS Code

    FK10

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

Accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, the Forensic Science BSc teaches you how to apply a range of advanced science to criminal investigation. The skills you develop using industry-standard equipment are a springboard to a variety of careers across scientific fields.

DESIGNED FOR

If you love chemistry and biology and want to apply your knowledge in new and interesting ways that benefit society, forensic science is for you. You’ll explore specialist fields such as toxicology and DNA analysis and develop your investigative and analytical prowess.

Accredited by

  • The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Career Paths

  • Crime Scene Investigator 
  • Forensic Laboratory Analyst 
  • Toxicologist 
  • DNA Analyst 
  • Road Traffic Investigator   

Skills taught

  • Crime scene evidence analysis and interpretation 
  • Science laboratory techniques 
  • Problem-solving in science, mathematics and data analysis 
  • Project management and leadership 
  • Confident communication skills 

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.


Course Highlights

Top accreditation

Meets all three elements of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, a leading global forensic association.

Outstanding facilities

Train in our ‘crime scene house’ and excavation site, courtroom, and industry-standard labs.

Real-world experience

Develop your skills and experience with the techniques and equipment used to solve crimes for real.

Industry connections

Benefit from knowledge and connections with key industry roles and meet key employers at events.

Module Overview

Get a grounding in the range of sciences and analytical techniques involved in solving crime, before choosing a biological or analytical pathway. Build on your knowledge and skills before undertaking major investigative projects and preparing for employment in your final year.

Year one
Introduction to Forensic Analysis
Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation
Chemistry for Forensic Science
Key Skills for Forensic Science*
Genetics and Evolution
Forensic Awareness

*25% of this module can be studied in Welsh

Year two
Analysis and Interpretation of Evidence
Volume Scene Examination 
Forensic Examination of Human Remains
Human Molecular Genetics
Modern Techniques in Analysis and Identification
Analytical Pathway – Applications of Forensic Analysis
Biological Pathway – Forensic Biology and Microbiology

Year three
Research Project and Employability Skills
Forensic Casework and the Expert Witness
Major Scene Examination
Applied Forensic Toxicology
Human Molecular Genetics
Analytical Pathway – Advanced Analytical Techniques
Biological Pathway – Environmental and Wildlife Forensics

Lay comprehensive foundations as you learn the key scientific and mathematical theories, legal processes and analytical techniques. Enjoy plenty of hands-on learning in the lab and the bespoke crime scene house as you learn how to process evidence.

Introduction to Forensic Analysis
Blending theory and lab-based training, learn the fundamentals of evidence processing including search and recovery, basic microscopy, chemical testing, and case notes.

Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation
Study investigative techniques and processes including collecting, preserving, documenting and interpreting evidence.

Chemistry for Forensic Science
Build on your lab skills as you learn concepts of organic, biological, and analytical chemistry needed for forensic science.

Key Skills for Forensic Science*
Develop key skills like research, scientific writing, using IT, and maths and statistics, and learn how to work safely and effectively in the lab.

Genetics and Evolution
Understand DNA structure and replication and explore evolutionary theory. You’ll also build fundamental lab techniques and learn how to work safely.

Forensic Awareness
Develop critical thinking and problem solving and learn the purpose of criminal justice and key elements of the criminal justice system.

*25% of this module can be studied in Welsh  

Choose either an analytical or a biology forensic science pathway. Enhance your practical skills and theoretical knowledge through forensic evidence and crime scene examination. Apply more advanced techniques as you expand your understanding.

Analysis and Interpretation of Evidence
Analyse, interpret and present particulate and biological trace evidence using sector-standard instrumentations, processes and documentation.

Volume Scene Examination
Develop CSI core practices and learn to record simulated crime scenes like burglaries, car theft, and criminal damage through photography and digital imaging.

Forensic Examination of Human Remains
Explore the unique challenges of discovering, recovering and analysing human remains, from search techniques to post-mortem, odontology and facial reconstruction.

Human Molecular Genetics
Get to grips with molecular biology techniques as you extend your knowledge of molecular genetics and the genetic basis of inherited disorders.

Modern Techniques in Analysis and Identification
Explore analytical techniques to understand the chemical structure of compounds, such as spectroscopy, essential in the identification of substances.

Analytical Pathway – Applications of Forensic Analysis
Investigate how forensic chemists use analytical techniques to identify evidence such as illicit drugs, fire residue and soil compounds.

Biological Pathway – Forensic Biology and Microbiology
Explore cell biology, microbiology, and biochemistry, developing an understanding of the value of biological evidence in forensics.

Further advance your skills in specialised areas such as DNA analysis, toxicology and either analytical chemistry or biological science. Prepare for employment as you undertake significant investigation projects as part of a team and critically analyse forensic case studies.

Research Project and Employability Skills
Evaluate cases like homicides and suicides, demonstrating ethics and standards. Examine the roles of expert witnesses, barristers, and evidence-in-chief.

Forensic Casework and the Expert Witness
Take on a complex simulated case demonstrating your teamwork, critical thinking, and capabilities, culminating in a simulated courtroom cross-examination.  

Major Scene Examination
Show mastery of forensic criminal investigation processes and techniques as you manage simulated major scene scenarios like suspicious deaths, assaults, and firearms offences. 

Applied Forensic Toxicology
Learn how toxic substances affect the body, explore principles of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion and investigate toxicological substances in the lab.

Human Molecular Genetics
Apply everything you’ve learned to forensic applications. Explore areas such as DNA profiling and how this arises from crime scene stains.

Analytical Pathway – Advanced Analytical Techniques
Develop advanced skills and processes such as extraction, chromatography for quantitative analysis and analytical techniques like LC-MS/MS and q-NMR.

Biological Pathway – Environmental and Wildlife Forensics
Explore the specialised fields of environment and wildlife crime, covering law and legislation, microscopy, DNA and soil analysis and GIS. 

Course Highlights

How you'll learn

From the start, you’ll spend lots of time in the lab and investigating simulated crime scenes. As you progress, you’ll work on a wider range of scenarios and deliver evidence in our simulated courtroom – experiencing the full case journey. Theoretical concepts are taught in interactive lectures and tutorials. Your written work mirrors the reporting you’ll do in real life, and assessment often focuses on practical skills and decision-making, including your group project dissertation. The dynamic curriculum adapts in line with industry trends, and employability skills are embedded in every module. 

Teaching staff

You’ll be taught by a range of experts specialising in DNA and bloodstain pattern analysis, toxicology, crime scene investigation, chemistry, and more. This diverse skillset enables a lot of cross-understanding throughout the full chain of investigation – you really get to see how everything fits together, because we have an expert for every stage. Staff use their connections to collaborate with industry pros, enriching your course and providing placement opportunities. Some staff are also previous students here, so they understand how to support you and contribute to the strong community feel within our course. 

Placements and work experience

You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a sandwich placement after your second year. We support you with applications to South Wales Police’s Graduate Internship and our outstanding careers team can help you source other placements if you wish. Some students opt for placements at private companies such as Cellmark or in adjacent industries such as pharmaceuticals. Yet with so much real-world experience embedded within the course, you still receive comprehensive workplace preparation even if you decide not to do a placement. 

Facilities

Our facilities set our course apart and you’ll be able to get stuck in right from the start. Our multi-room ‘crime scene house’ and excavation area give you hands-on experience managing crime scenes and gathering all manner of evidence. The recently installed surveillance equipment enables lecturers to observe you and provide live feedback. You have full use of the George Knox laboratories where you’ll use the entire range of industry-standard equipment and instruments, including organic and inorganic chemistry labs, spectrometers, microscopes and chromatographs. It’s all based at the Glyntaff campus – green and open with a community atmosphere. 

Accredited by

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

This course gives you the ideal set of academic, vocational and personal skills demanded by employers. Many graduates secure positions while still studying in their final year. While many graduates progress to law enforcement agencies and leading forensic labs, working as investigators, analysts and reporting scientists, you’ll also develop attributes suited to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The degree also prepares you for MSc study and we also offer a teaching pathway. 

Careers support

The best way we support you to secure your desired job is by giving you real experience in the techniques, tasks and processes you’ll carry out on a daily basis. But we also provide specific employability skills embedded within almost every module, covering everything from how to network and market yourself through to interview techniques. Our Science Futures event introduces you to employers where you can identify potential routes and forge relationships. You’ll also meet alumni who were in your position and can share specific advice on how to achieve your goals. You’ll also have access to a dedicated team within USW’s Careers Service. 

Industry partners

Our close industry links ensure course material is at the forefront of the latest developments. South Wales Police assess and support our course, while Cardiff-based Cansford Labs support the forensic side. Our Science Futures events host representatives from those organisations, as well as other local police forces, and private forensic firms such as Cellmark. We also work closely with other institutions, including those abroad. This helps us bring new perspectives to the course and give you a broader, fuller experience that prepares you for future success. 

Sandwich years

A sandwich year enables you to apply the knowledge gained during your degree to real-world work situations. You’ll equip yourself with a transferable skillset and gain invaluable work experience that will help you to stand out to potential employers in future job applications. A sandwich year also provides a fantastic opportunity to network and, if you impress your employer, you may even find you have a job waiting for you when you graduate. Many employers like to take on dedicated employees as showcased via a sandwich year placement scheme.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

104 UCAS Points (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: BCC to include Chemistry or Biology but excluding General Studies
  • Welsh BACC: Grade C and BC at A Level to include Chemistry or Biology but to exclude General Studies
  • Science requirements: Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested grades/subjects.
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit in a relevant subject to include Chemistry or Biology modules 
  • Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Science and obtain a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points. To include: 15 Distinctions from Chemistry or Biology units, 24 Merits (3 from Chemistry/Biology) and 6 Passes.

 

Additional requirements include:

GCSEs: The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances. 

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Students are encouraged to equip themselves with a suitable cotton laboratory coat, suitable for working in a chemical laboratory, and a pair of personal protective laboratory goggles, although the School does provide these items.

Cost: Variable

Students who successfully secure a placement in industry to complete their major research project would be expected to pay their own travel costs to and from the venue during the period of placement. The cost of this will of course vary and some students have also paid for accommodation close to their place of work for the duration of their placement.

Cost: Variable

New York - Flights and Accomodation, Faculty pays for activities.

Cost: £1,200

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.


Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.