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MSc

Forensic Investigation

Dive into immersive forensic investigations backed by real-world experience. Enhance your critical thinking while nurturing curiosity through cutting-edge techniques and hands-on casework. Collaborate across disciplines and develop industry-standard skills using the latest tools and authentic scenarios.

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Key Course Details

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

Make an Enquiry

Explore real-world forensic investigation through immersive learning, expert teaching, and hands-on experience.

DESIGNED FOR

Our course is designed for graduates, criminal justice professionals, and career changers seeking specialist training in forensic and investigative practice. Suitable for diverse backgrounds, it supports progression into roles in crime scene investigation, policing, and forensic services, developing advanced skills in evidence handling, case management, and multi-agency collaboration.

Career Paths

  • Crime Scene Investigator
  • Public or Private Investigator
  • Emergency Services
  • Civil Service
  • Government Body

Skills taught

  • Collaborative working
  • Effective communication
  • Time management
  • Critical thinking
  • Leadership

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.

A student wearing a white, sterile, hazard protection overall photographs evidence in a brown paper bag that is being held by another student who is dressed the same in front of a large window with cream curtains. In front of them is a screwdriver on a wooden round table with a yellow evidence marker
Two students in white, sterile, hazard suits with purple and blue medical gloves and blue face masks observe evidence and chat outside the crime scene house in Glyntaff
Forensic student conducting a crime scene training scenario.
Two students in white laboratory coats and blue scientific gloves point at a computer inside the USW forensic science lab
Two students in white, sterile, hazard suits with purple medical gloves and blue face masks observe evidence with a clipboard outside the crime scene house, cordoned off by police tape, in Glyntaff
The University's Bernard Knight building.

Course Highlights

Cutting-Edge Facilities

Investigate mock crime scenes and gather essential evidence with the latest technology and tools, including our simulation facilities.

Real-World Experience

Develop skills and knowledge as you enjoy an authentic investigative experience with the equipment and techniques used in the industry

Learn from the Experts

Learn from a diverse range of staff, all backed by invaluable expertise and years of industry and academic experience.

Build Resilience

Building resilience through real-world challenges to prepare you for high-pressure forensic careers.

Module Overview

We will help you develop advanced skills in crime scene investigation, evidence interpretation, case management, and multi-agency working. Students learn to critically evaluate evidence, communicate findings, and operate ethically in complex investigations. Immersive, hands-on learning and a research project prepare graduates for roles across forensic, policing, and criminal justice sectors.

Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
This module develops advanced skills in managing complex crime scenes, covering forensic strategies, decision-making, cognitive bias, evidence interpretation, and the psychological impact of investigations on crime scene professionals.

Forensic Evidence in Investigative Practice
Explore advanced forensic evidence types, including DNA, fingerprints, digital, and drugs. Learn to collect, interpret, and apply evidence within legal frameworks, emphasising quality assurance, regulation, and UK forensic accreditation.

Investigative Techniques and Evidence Presentation
Develop investigative expertise through real and simulated casework, focusing on interviewing, multi-agency coordination, and courtroom skills. Emphasises critical thinking, evidence management, and ethical, effective presentation within legal frameworks.

Fire, Explosions, and CBRNe Investigations
Explore fire, explosion, and CBRNe investigations through combustion science, scene management, and evidence recovery. Learn to manage hazardous incidents while maintaining safety, evidential integrity, and investigative rigour.

Research and Development in Forensic Investigation
Undertake an independent, interdisciplinary research project, developing and evaluating forensic methodologies. Gain skills in data analysis, scientific communication, and presenting professional-standard findings through written reports and presentations.

Course Highlights

How you'll learn

Our course is delivered through a dynamic blend of in-person teaching, online learning, and practical workshops, using real case studies and immersive simulations. You'll benefit from hands-on experience in our cutting-edge crime scene facilities and labs, guided by staff with real-world expertise.

Teaching is interdisciplinary and challenge-based, promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and ethical awareness. Assessment is varied and designed to reflect professional practice, including practical tasks, evidence-based reports, reflective journals, presentations, and academic research projects. This approach ensures you develop confidence and competence in forensic investigation, grounded in current industry standards and real investigative contexts.

Teaching staff

You’ll be taught by a diverse team of experienced academics and practitioners with extensive industry experience, scientists who blend academic knowledge with professional practice, and educators skilled in effective and student-focused teaching. Leveraging our strong professional networks, you’ll also learn directly from external forensic experts across various sectors.

Faciltiies

Our course offers hands-on training with specialist equipment used across forensic and investigative fields. Tackle realistic scenarios in our dedicated crime scene house, outdoor and vehicle mock scenes, and simulated fire environments. You’ll collect and analyse evidence using our high-tech laboratories, simulation suites, and digital tools.

From initial scene examination to final report writing, you’ll engage with the full investigative process. Facilities also include our innovation hub and computer labs, all designed to reflect real-world practice. This immersive environment ensures you build the practical skills and confidence needed to operate effectively in forensic and criminal investigation settings.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Our graduates gain the skills and confidence to excel in diverse forensic roles. Their training in evidence collection, analysis, and interdisciplinary investigation will equip you to tackle real-world challenges. With expertise in critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and professional communication, graduates can adapt to evolving forensic technologies and complex casework.

The course will develop your leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, preparing you to contribute meaningfully across criminal justice agencies, forensic laboratories, and investigative teams. You will also have strong foundations to pursue advanced research, consultancy, or specialist roles, supporting justice and public safety at local, national, or international levels.

Possible career paths

Our graduates are prepared for diverse roles within the forensic and criminal justice sectors. Career paths include crime scene investigation, forensic laboratory roles, detective, case review, and evidence coordination. Opportunities also exist in regulatory bodies, forensic service providers, government agencies, academic research, and legal or insurance industries.

The course supports roles involving quality assurance, forensic compliance, and investigative support in public or private sectors. With a strong foundation in analytical thinking, evidence interpretation, and ethical practice, graduates are well-placed to contribute to complex investigations and support justice through scientific expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Careers support

You’ll have access to advice from the Careers and Employability Service throughout your studies and after you graduate. This includes one-to-one appointments from a faculty-based career adviser and extensive online resources for help with considering career options and presenting yourself well to employers. Resources include psychometric tests, career assessments, a CV builder, interview simulator, and application help. Our employer database has over 2,000 registered employers targeting USW students and students can receive weekly job email alerts.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Typical qualification requirements:

A minimum 2:2 BSc (Hons) degree in a science-based subject such as forensic science, chemistry, biology, or forensic investigation is normally required. However, we welcome applications from graduates of other disciplines, including social sciences or related fields, particularly where applicants can demonstrate relevant knowledge, experience, or a strong interest in forensic investigation.

Applications from returning learners or those with non-traditional academic backgrounds are welcomed, particularly where experiential learning or industry practice can support academic entry.

The course welcomes international applicants. IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent) is required.

Additional information:

This course does not require a DBS check for entry. However, some careers may be affected by certain criminal convictions. If you have a conviction and are considering a particular career path, we advise checking with the relevant professional body or employer to understand their recruitment policies.

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

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

The Department provides suitable cotton laboratory coats and protective goggles for student use; therefore, purchasing these items is not required. However, students may choose to buy their own if they prefer. In some cases, students undertaking industry-based projects may be required to obtain additional personal protective equipment as specified by the host organisation

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.

IT'S REALLY EXCITING TO SEE HOW MUCH REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICAL WORK-STYLE TECHNIQUES WILL BE DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT THE MASTERS.

Katie Critchley

Graduating Student, BSc Forensic Investigation

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.

Related Courses

Analytical and Forensic Science - MSc Learn more

Next Steps

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