Best Universities For Forensic Science in the UK: A New Scientist Careers Guide

 

Best universities for forensic science in the UK

Forensic science is an intellectually stimulating field that combines various scientific disciplines to aid the criminal justice system. As typically portrayed in forensic science television shows, this involves crime scene investigation and the collection and analysis of any physical evidence to solve crimes. 

There are numerous methods forensic scientists use to investigate a crime scene and analyse samples. They usually specialise in different types of forensic science and become experts in those subfields. 

A forensic toxicologist, for instance, investigates whether drugs were involved in a death or crime, whilst a forensic DNA analyst focuses on analysing the DNA of body fluids, hair, skin and other tissues for identification. 

Forensic pathology involves the examination of a body to establish the cause of death, whilst forensic odontology focuses on the study of dental evidence to determine a deceased person’s age and identity. Other key areas include forensic chemistry, forensic geology and forensic botany.

This article will outline the top universities for forensic science courses in the UK and why they are great places to study this subject.

This article will outline the top universities for forensic science courses in the UK, as ranked by The Complete University Guide for 2024. The Complete University Guide generates high-impact national university rankings every year; their overall scores are calculated based on the following indicators: research quality, entry requirements, student satisfaction, and graduate prospects.

 

The top 20 universities in the UK to study forensic science:

1 - University of Strathclyde

Strathclyde was one of the first universities in the UK to offer a degree in forensic science and is considered the best place to study the discipline. Its five-year integrated master’s degree, MChem Forensic & Analytical Chemistry, is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) as well as the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), allowing you to become a chartered forensic practitioner or chartered chemist.

The first year of the course introduces the core principles of chemistry, mathematics and either physics or biology. You will also choose elective courses, for example chemical engineering, forensic science or subjects from other areas such as business, humanities and the arts. The second and third years will further build on your foundation and gradually introduce more forensic science, including forensic trace analysis. As in the first year, you can take elective courses in areas of interest.

The fourth year is a 12-month placement year, which you spend working at a chemical company either in the UK or abroad. Companies have included GSK, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. At this point, you can also choose to specialise in either forensic or analytical science. 

You further specialise in specific techniques or areas in the fifth year, such as toxicology, DNA analysis and atomic or nuclear spectroscopy, in which you will carry out a research project and write a dissertation. You have the option to graduate with a BSc degree rather than an MChem after the fourth year if you transfer within the first three years.

Throughout the years, Strathclyde teaches you valuable practical transferable skills, such as scientific writing and presentation skills, problem-solving, IT and technical skills. This is done through laboratory work, group exercises, and computing and statistics classes. Furthermore, you can complete your third year at a European, Canadian or US university.

Entry requirements: A levels: ABB including Chemistry, and Maths, Physics or Biology; SQA Higher: AABB/AAAC (Chemistry B, Maths B).

 

2 - Robert Gordon University

Robert Gordon University tops the forensic science degree rankings in terms of graduate prospects. The university houses world-class facilities, including a mock crime scene facility and forensic imaging lab. Students conduct their crime scene investigation with detectives, analyse evidence and present their findings to a mock jury and judges. Its four-year BSc Forensic and Analytical Science degree is accredited by the CSFS, and students will also satisfy the criteria to apply for associate membership of the RSC.

In the first year, you will learn the foundations of chemistry, biology and analytical science together with the general principles of forensic science. Laboratory and technical skills relevant to forensic analysis are also included in the curriculum. The second year will explore more complex concepts and introduce legal principles and frameworks. 

The third year will allow you to study and gain practical skills in specialist areas such as forensic toxicology, fire, explosions and firearms; optional placements are also available at this stage. The final year covers advanced forensic techniques and involves a research project. Moot court exercises, where you undertake trace forensic analysis and present evidence to a court of law, also form part of your assessment in the third and fourth years.

Entry requirements: A levels: BCC including Chemistry; English and Maths at GCSE grade 4/C or above if not held at A level; SQA Higher: BBBC including Chemistry; English and Maths at National 5 grade B or above if not held at Higher.

 

3 - University of Kent

Kent’s three-year BSc Forensic Science degree is CSFS-accredited and highly values practical experience. The course often tops university rankings for forensic science, too. The university offers simulated crime scenes and court cases, major incident exercises that unfold in real time, and state-of-the-art labs. It also offers an additional year abroad or on professional placement, as well as the option of an integrated master’s course (MSci).

The BSc course is taught on a modular basis and introduces forensic science-specific modules early in the first year. The second year covers more specialised types of forensic science, such as forensic archaeology and digital forensics, while building on fundamentals. In your final year, you will additionally learn about legal and professional aspects and undertake a research project.

Entry requirements: A levels: BBB including Chemistry or Biology; GCSE Maths at grade 4/C or above.

 

4 - Northumbria University

Northumbria’s CSFS-accredited three-year BSc Forensic Science degree is well-regarded and considered one of the best for teaching quality and overall student experience. You will have access to a dedicated crime scene house for simulated crime scenes. It also utilises cutting-edge technologies such as software that provides a 360-degree scan of a crime scene for forensic analysis.

The course is heavily research-focused and covers the latest developments in the field. It is taught on a modular basis and introduces forensic principles in the first year along with fundamentals of chemistry, teaching more specialised subjects as you progress. As with most degrees, you will complete a research project in the final year. You have the option to do a year abroad or in industry between the second and third years.

Furthermore, the university offers a separate BSc Criminology and Forensic Science degree which provides greater focus on the criminal justice system, theories of different types of crime and criminal psychology.

Entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points with a B in A level Biology, Chemistry or

Applied Science; GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/C or above.

 

5 - Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent’s BSc Forensic Science degree is CSFS-accredited and automatically offers you an MSci place based on academic performance. Furthermore, the impressive facilities, including a crime scene house and ballistics lab, are used to train HMRC, the British Transport Police, and other organisations across the East Midlands. 

The forensic science department’s staff have frequently been nominated for the university’s ‘Outstanding Teaching Staff’ awards. Their course is unique due to their strong focus on the science of forensics, with every module from the first year onwards being forensic-specific. 

As you progress through the years, you will gain exposure to the ethics and law for forensic science, as well as specialised areas such as forensic archaeology and anthropology, environmental forensic assessment, and forensic microbiology. Your final year will entail a research project, too. Nottingham Trent also offers study abroad or placement opportunities after the second year.

Entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including Chemistry and another Science or numerate subject at grade C; GCSE Maths, Science and English at grade 4/C or above.

 

6 - University of Bradford

Bradford has a proud history in forensic science as the first UK university to teach the subject at degree level. There are three CSFS-accredited courses, each offering an extra placement year: BSc Forensic Science, BSc Forensic and Medical Sciences, and BSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology. 

A cutting-edge crime scene facility, interdisciplinary research, and innovation put Bradford among the best UK universities for forensic science. Contrary to other courses, its BSc Forensic Science degree focuses on principles of forensic investigation and criminal justice in the first year, only introducing fundamentals of chemistry and biology in the second and third year. 

In the final year, you will learn to apply forensic techniques, along with completing a research project. BSc Forensic and Medical Science, on the other hand, has greater focus on biology and chemical analysis.

Entry requirements: A levels: BBC including at least one science; GCSE English, Maths and Science at grade 4/C or above.

 

7 - University of Huddersfield

Huddersfield allows students to either opt for the CSFS-accredited BSc Forensic and Analytical Science, or the RSC-accredited BSc Chemistry with Forensic Science; both offer an extra industrial placement year, but the former also offers an MSci. Huddersfield has an exceptionally high employability rate thanks to its Global Professional Award (GPA), which you will obtain upon graduation as recognition of your specialist skills.

Although both courses offer largely the same modules, the combination of core and optional modules varies in the second and third years. For instance, inorganic and physical chemistry are optional in the second year of the CSFS-accredited course, but compulsory in the RSC-accredited course. Similarly, forensic science and the law is optional in the final year of the latter, but compulsory in the former.

Entry requirements: A levels: BBC-BCC including at least a grade C in Chemistry.

 

8 - University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth’s BSc Criminology and Forensic Studies degree is distinct from the courses mentioned thus far as it emphasises forensic investigation, evidence interpretation and law enforcement rather than the chemical and physical science behind forensics. As such, the course is not accredited by the CSFS or the RSC. 

The university’s crime scene facilities, which include innovative VR technology, are used by the police for training. The course allows you to gain much broader skills, knowledge and experience in law and order, types of crime, the criminal mind and how forensic investigation plays a role. The course also allows an additional year in industry.

In all years you will cover a range of criminology-specific modules along with some forensic technical skills. From the second year onwards, there is a great variety of optional modules to choose from to tailor your studies, such as crimes of the powerful, gang crime, hate crime, and economic crime and fraud examination. The last module is recognised by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

The university also offers BSc Cyber Security and Forensic Computing and BSc Forensic Psychology for those with a special interest.

Entry requirements: A levels: ABB-BBB with no subject requirements.

 

9 - Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian offers a four-year BSc Forensic Investigation degree and allows up to a year at a partner institution in Europe or the USA. Graduates can become associate members of the RSC and be one step closer to chartered chemist status. The university recently invested heavily in its facilities and lab equipment to ensure you have access to state-of-the-art technologies. 

Although the course follows a similar trajectory to most traditional forensic science degrees, it offers a good balance between scientific fundamentals and legal or professional frameworks through all years. The final year includes an advanced research project. The university also offers a specialised BSc Digital Security and Forensics degree for those interested.

Entry requirements: SQA: BBCC including Chemistry; A levels: CCC including Chemistry.

 

10 - Keele University

Keele’s CSFS-accredited BSc Forensic Science has frequently been ranked first in England for forensic science, and for good reason. It not only provides an indoor crime scene house, but also outdoor crime scene facilities on its 600-acre campus, including replica skeletal remains in the woods. Furthermore, you may study an extra year abroad.

The course, although traditional, introduces legal and professional concepts early. It offers a range of specialist modules from the first year, such as cybercrime, programming, counterfeits and forgeries, and digital forensics. The university additionally has several other forensic science courses, such as BSc Forensic Psychology, BSc Forensic Science and Neuroscience, and MSci Forensic Science.

Entry requirements: A levels: BBB including B in Chemistry or Biology; GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above.

 

11 - University of Derby

Derby’s BSc Forensic Science is CSFS-accredited but also allows membership of the RSC if you take optional chemistry modules. The university houses some of the country’s most well-equipped crime scene facilities and labs, including domestic and commercial crime scenes, a darkroom, an osteology lab for skeletal study, a forensic imaging facility and ballistics lab. Derby has strong employer links, allowing collaborations for a realistic learning experience.

The course evenly covers forensic chemistry and principles of crime scene investigations and progressively introduces more specialist areas as optional modules. You may complete an additional year with placement. Alternative courses include BSc Forensic Science with Criminology and BSc Forensic Psychology.

Entry requirements: A levels: BBB-BBC with at least a grade C in Biology or Chemistry or Applied Science; GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above.

 

12 - Kingston University

Kingston’s BSc Forensic Science is not only accredited by the CSFS, but also received four commendations from the society for its state-of-the-art forensic technology and innovative training. Its mock courtroom scenarios include cross-examination at a Crown Court, which deals with the most serious crimes. Note, there is no additional year with placement or abroad.

The course broadly covers chemical and biological principles in the first year and then largely focuses on fundamentals of forensic analysis, investigation and criminal law. Specialised BScs include BSc Criminology and Forensic Psychology, BSc Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics and BSc Forensic Psychology.

Entry requirements: 112-128 UCAS Tariff points; A level Biology or Chemistry at grade C or above; two science A levels desirable.

 

13 - University of the West of England Bristol

UWE Bristol’s BSc Forensic Science is CSFS-accredited but also encourages you to join the RSC and Royal Society of Biology (RSB). You can join the Student Union’s Forensic Science Society for events and talks from world-class scientists. The university’s award-winning careers service is particularly well known for helping with jobs. 

Some graduates even go on to complete a one-year law conversion course and practise as barristers. The course follows the traditional structure of forensic science degrees and puts great emphasis on technical and transferable skills. You can take a year abroad or with placement as well.

Entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points; A level Biology or Chemistry at grade B or above; GCSE English, Maths and Double Science at grade 4/C or above.

 

14 - University of Lincoln

Similar to Huddersfield, Lincoln offers CSFS-accredited BSc Forensic Science and RSC-accredited BSc Forensic Chemistry, as well as MChem Forensic Chemistry. BSc Forensic Science offers an overseas field course, with previous locations including New York, Toronto and Guatemala; note, this is not an additional year.

Both streams have a heavy focus on professional practice. Nonetheless, the offered core and optional modules are distinct across all years. The forensic chemistry courses almost exclusively cover advanced chemical, biological and analytical science, only briefly touching on the principles of forensic investigation. The forensic science course, on the other hand, teaches only fundamentals of chemistry and biology.

Entry requirements: for BSc Forensic Science you need 104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of two A levels including 32 points in Chemistry, Biology or Applied Science. BSc Forensic Chemistry requires 104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of two A levels including 40 points in Chemistry.

 

15 - Bournemouth University

Bournemouth also offers two forensic degrees, one with a focus on science and the other focusing on investigative and legal aspects. The former is titled BSc Forensic Science and the latter BSc Forensic Investigation, with both being CSFS-accredited. 

Both degrees are structured very similarly and offer an optional placement year anywhere in the world, although there are slight differences in module selection in later years. The university also offers specialised forensic courses, BSc Forensic Biology and BSc Archaeological, Anthropological and Forensic Sciences.

Entry requirements: 104-120 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of two A levels; GCSE English, Maths and Double Science at grade 4/C or above.

 

16 - Staffordshire University

Staffordshire, similar to Bournemouth, offers two CSFS-accredited degrees titled BSc Forensic Science and BSc Forensic Investigation. The course follows a similar structure to Bournemouth, although Staffordshire offers an MSci for each degree as well as a year with placement. 

The university has excellent facilities, including a crime scene house with indoor and outdoor crime scenes. Its BSc Forensic and Criminological Psychology degree may be of interest too.

Entry requirements: 112-120 UCAS Tariff points; A levels: BBC including Chemistry, Maths or Biology or other numerate subjects at grade C or above for Forensic Science, but no subject requirements for Forensic Investigation.

 

17 - Liverpool John Moores University

Liverpool John Moores’s BSc Forensic Science is CSFS-accredited and designed as a traditional forensic science degree, offering cutting-edge facilities and equipment. Uniquely, it allows you to focus on either biological or chemical aspects of analysis. You can complete an additional year in industry, with opportunities to go abroad. Students are also eligible for RSC membership.

The university offers a plethora of specialised forensic courses, for example BSc Forensics, Policing and Investigations, BSc Computer Forensics and BSc Forensic Anthropology to name a few.

Entry requirements: A levels: ABB-BBC including Chemistry or Biology; GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above.

 

18 - Abertay University

Abertay’s four-year CSFS-accredited BSc Forensic Sciences is another excellent course to study as it includes early exposure to analytical sciences and the law. The university has strong industrial links and offers work placements in the second year. 

The university is great for personal development, incorporating “MySuccess” modules into its courses, such as successful writing, selling your idea and digital skills.

Entry requirements: SQA: BBC including B in Biology, Physics or Chemistry; A levels: CCC including Biology, Physics or Chemistry.

 

19 - University of Chester

Chester offers BSc Forensic Biology, which is RSB-accredited. This course’s core curriculum does not have as strong a focus on law enforcement as other traditional forensic science degrees. 

Instead, it provides a solid foundation in biological analysis, toxicology and microbiology, covering fundamentals of forensic investigations and courtroom principles. You have the option to study your second year abroad. 

Entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points; A levels: BBC-BCC including Biology or Chemistry.

 

20 - University of Central Lancashire

Central Lancashire, as with Bradford and Lincoln, offers a science-heavy BSc Forensic Science and a more investigative BSc Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation, both accredited by the CSFS. 

They allow great flexibility to tailor your studies, with the former offering specialisms such as forensic anthropology and forensic toxicology, and the latter counterterrorism and fire investigation. A year with placement is possible for both courses. 

Entry requirements: 104-112 UCAS Tariff points at A2 including Biology or Chemistry or Applied science for BSc Forensic Science, but no subject requirements for BSc Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation.

 

Next Steps

A degree in forensic science offers a plethora of possible jobs in various sectors, including government, industry and academia. Many graduates go on to work as crime scene investigators with police forces, whilst others opt for a career in pharmaceuticals, health and safety, food or water. 

Transferable skills that you learn in forensic science, such as numerical skills, problem-solving and presentation skills, are highly desirable in other sectors too, such as finance.

Although you can get a job following an undergraduate degree, rising competition almost necessitates postgraduate studies or at least an integrated master’s degree. A PhD is required if you hope to work in academic research and teach at a university.

 

Conclusion

Forensic science is an exciting and rapidly evolving field that can open many doors. If you want to work in science but at the same time help to fight crime, forensic science may be the career for you. 

Although all universities offer great higher education opportunities in forensic science, they do vary in their structure, focus and facilities. You may wish to think about which course suits your learning style best and what industry or job role you would like to pursue.

 

Resources

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