This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Read our cookie policy

MSc

Analytical and Forensic Science

The MSc Analytical and Forensic Science has been designed to provide expert laboratory training and help you secure employment in analytical science, DNA analysis or forensic science sectors.

How to apply Book an open Evening Chat to us

Key Course Details

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £10,800*

  • International students

    £16,900*

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

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £1,200*

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

MSc Analytical and Forensic Science focuses on cutting edge research, the latest analytical techniques, and transferable and professional skills that will prepare you to practise as a professional analytical or forensic scientist. We produce excellent scientists and sought-after graduates, and our postgraduates have been offered employment by some of the most prestigious companies in Europe in fields ranging from analytical toxicology to forensic DNA analysis.

DESIGNED FOR

This course is designed for students with degrees within the Forensic Science field who want to explore expert topics in more detail and discover specialist fields. Students get to explore areas such as Toxicology and Crime Scene Management.

Accredited by

  • The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Career Paths

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

Skills taught

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Investigative Skills
  • Writing Skills
  • Laboratory Skills
  • 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.

Students wearing lab coats and protective eyewear are working in a forensics lab.
A student in a white laboratory coat, protective glasses and white rubber gloves uses a pipet to complete an experiment in a science lab

Course Highlights

Crime Scene House

Simulation of crime scenes and how to investigate them.

Laboratory Experience

Use industry standard equipment and learn how they work.

Practical Learning

Hands one experience of areas such as excavation and toxicology.

Industry Experience

Taught by industry experts who’ve practised in the field and current researchers.

Module Overview

The Analytical and Forensic Science masters allows students to explore in depth specialist areas of forensic investigation. It provides hands on experience on specialist analytical instruments and develops key skills such as investigative strategies in Crime Scene management and Method Development in Trace Evidence Analysis.

Current and Emerging Methods for DNA Analysis in Forensics and Medicine
You will gain a thorough understanding of DNA analysis and interpretation techniques that can be applied to Forensics and Medicine. There is practical training in a large range of advanced extraction techniques, quantitation, amplification and electrophoresis of DNA, through simulated case-work. Students will be able to understand the methods needed for detecting biological evidence and the processes involved in obtaining the DNA profile from such material. Students will also learn about the testing of DNA for medical diagnostics using techniques such as DNA microarray sequencing.

Analytical Techniques and Quality in the Laboratory
Through this module you will develop an understanding of key analytical instruments such as HPLC, GC, GC-MS and LC-MS. The module will also develop the skills required to perform method validation whilst understanding key quality processes.

Analytical and Forensic toxicology
This module focuses on the detection and quantitation of a range of drugs of abuse in biological matrices such as blood, urine saliva and hair. You will receive a practical laboratory training in several drug extraction methods and confirmation techniques such as GCMS and ICP-OES. This module will also explore the metabolism of compounds and how these can be used in the interpretation of results. Practical and simulation work will also include analysis of biological samples and blood plasma simulations.  

Statistical Analysis Tools and The Expert Witness
You will receive training from professional case working forensic scientists in how to draft expert witness statements and how to give testimony in court. You will also be provided with training in Bayesian theory as applied to forensic casework, together with training in Chemometrics, using mathematical and statistical methods enabling you to correlate quality parameters to analytical instrument data. This module will teach you the statistical tools required for the interpretation of data so you can critically evaluate this. 

Crime Scene Management and Advanced Scene Processing
You will learn how to effectively process major and specialist crime scenes through our simulation facilities, and will understand the specialist roles that are involved in the investigation process.

Method Development for Trace Evidence Analysis
This module is designed for students to be able to develop, validate and apply suitable forensic analytical methods for trace and particulate evidence to obtain accurate and meaningful results. The module will ensure students understand the fundamental principles of method development for trace evidence analysis using instruments such as GRIM and SEM-EDX, FTIR and GC-IMS. It will also cover some case-based scenarios for evidence types such as glass, paint and GSR.

Major Independent Research Project
A 60 credit research project allows you to customise the MSc and specialise in a chosen field to complete your dissertation. Projects will normally be completed at the University, there may be opportunities to complete a project with an industrial partner.

Course Highlights

How you'll learn

This MSc programme has been designed to meet the requirements of the analytical and
forensic science industry. We have developed partnerships with several key employers in industry who have made significant contributions to the course, from helping to design the curriculum to providing guest lectures and student placement opportunities.
Modules are assessed with a combination of approaches including practical and laboratory skills assessments, written coursework, laboratory reports, simulated case work files, preparation of witness statements, mock court sessions, oral presentation, and dissertations.
The assessments have been designed to prepare students for employment after study and many of the skills are transferable to the workplace but also build on key skills such as independent working and teamwork.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by staff in our analytical and forensic science team which consist of
specialist forensic science practitioners, experts in DNA analysis and trace evidence analysis, crime scene investigators, toxicologists and chemists.

  • Mia Lambert
  • Mark Boulter
  • Zella Parry
  • Dr Paul Jones
  • Dr Gareth Powell
  • Hannah Seale
  • Alexandra Maneta
  • Rhian Kinsella
  • Dr Sheri Murrell
  • Helen Higgins
  • Beth Nurse
  • Katie Bird

Placements

There is no formal placement associated with this course, but there are often opportunities for students to carry out their research project in collaboration with industrial partners in the forensic science sector.

Faciltiies

Studying Forensic Science at USW provides you with an opportunity for hands on
experience. We have a full crime scene house where different scenarios can be laid out as well as vehicle investigation. The laboratories are equipped with industry standard
equipment, this may be for paint examination by Scanning Electron Microscopy, drugs
analysis by Gas Chromatography Triple Quad Mass Spectrometry, garment analysis and
biological stain identification by different lights or DNA extraction. We offer the hands-on experience.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

You students will gain an excellent portfolio of practical skills that are in demand by
employers as well as being trained to use the same instruments and techniques as practising forensic scientists. The skills and knowledge of our forensic science graduates are highly desirable and can be used in other scientific areas such as the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, or in postgraduate study such as Masters, Doctorate and fast-track medicine.
Graduates have gained employment with some of the UK’s leading forensic science service providers - becoming reporting scientists, or working in the wider analytical sector where highly skilled graduates are in demand.

Possible career paths

Possible career paths for this course include Crime Scene Investigator, DNA Analyst,
Toxicologist, Fingerprint Analyst, Researcher, Analytical Scientist.

Careers support

As a USW forensic science student, you will have access to advice from the Careers and
Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate.
This includes: one-to-one appointments from faculty based Career Advisers, in person, over the phone or even on Skype and through email via the "Ask a Question" service. We also have extensive online resources for help with considering your career options and presenting yourself well to employers.
Our Careers service has dedicated teams: A central work experience team to help you find relevant placements; an employability development team which includes an employability programme called Grad Edge; and an Enterprise team focused on new business ideas and entrepreneurship.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Typical qualification requirements:

A 2:2 BSc (Hons) degree in a course accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences in forensic science, forensic chemistry, forensic biology, or, forensic investigation.

Applications from graduates of other subject areas with a 2:2 classification are welcome and considered on an individual basis, and candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of forensic practices, biology and chemistry or relevant forensic work experience within their personal statement.

The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.

Additional information:

Please note that whilst this course does not require a DBS Check for entry, some professions will not consider candidates who have certain types of criminal convictions.   

Therefore, if you have a criminal conviction and you are considering a particular career path we would recommend that you check with the relevant professional body or refer to their recruitment policy to make sure that your conviction will not disadvantage you.

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

£10,800

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,900

per year*
UK Part-time Fee

£1,200

per 20 credits*

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 Busaries Alumni Discount

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 wit

Students are encouraged to equip themselves with a suitable cotton laboratory coat for working in a chemical laboratory, and a pair of personal protective laboratory goggles, although the Department does provide these PPE items. Students who are successful in securing an industry-based project may, in a small number of cases, be required to obtain additional personal protective equipment as specified by the specific organisation or company.

Cost: Variable

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.

Studying at USW

Our courses are designed with industry leaders and provide the practical skills and experiences industry demands. Our flexible courses reflect the need for life-long learning. If you value education in practice, not just in theory, then USW is for you.

Two people studying together at a table, surrounded by books and papers.
Postgraduate fees and funding
Close up shot of the front of the Alfred Russell wallace building.
Pontypridd Campus, Glyntaff
A member of staff is smiling and chatting with an open evening visitor.
Postgraduate Open Events

How to apply

There is an online application process for this course. Please choose the application form for your preferred start date and mode of study (i.e. full-time or part-time).

International admissions

Please see our international admissions advice for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Next Steps

How to Apply
Book an Open Evening
Chat to Us