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If you excel at science, are keen to develop your investigative skills in a variety of scenarios and have meticulous attention to detail, you will enjoy studying Forensic Science at Kent. Fascinating and challenging, it opens up a wide range of career opportunities.
Overview
At Kent, you study all aspects of forensic science, developing scientific and analytical skills. We create ‘crime scenes’ for you to examine and conduct ‘major incident’ exercises, where you react in real time to an unfolding event. We also demonstrate how your forensic skills can be used within archaeology and in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Forensic Science at Kent was ranked 6th in The Complete University Guide 2017.
Our degree programme
In your first year, you get to grips with the broad base of knowledge on which forensic science is built, including biochemistry, drug chemistry, and ballistics. You also develop your investigative and laboratory skills.
In your second and final years, you expand your knowledge to cover analytical chemistry, forensic archaeology, digital forensics, fires and explosions, and firearms. You also study criminal law (taught by Kent’s highly ranked Law School) and are trained in forensic expert witness skills. In certain modules, you are taught by industry specialists.
Study facilities
We recently invested £10 million in our laboratories and improved our general study spaces. Facilities to support forensic science include:
- dedicated ballistics and firearms kit
- scene-of-crime facilities that allow you to apply the theory of crime scenes, evidence recovery and fingerprinting
- a document examination instrument used in the detection of forged documents
- a full analytical suite for forensic chemical analysis, including:
- Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
- Raman Spectrometry
- Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectrometry (FTIR)
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
In addition, you also have access to:
- the Templeman Library, which houses extensive print and electronic collections related to the physical sciences
- the Student Learning Advisory Service, which provides information on all aspects of effective learning and study skills.
Scientific community
The School is home to an international scientific community of forensic science, chemistry, physics and astronomy students. Numerous formal and informal opportunities for discussion make it easy to participate in the academic life of the School. All students have an academic adviser and we also run a peer mentoring scheme.
You are encouraged to participate in conferences and professional events to build up your knowledge of the science community and enhance your professional development. The School also works collaboratively with business partners, which allows you to see how our research influences current practice.
You can also take part in:
- the School’s Physical Sciences Colloquia, a popular series of talks given by internal and external experts on relevant and current topics
- the student-run Forensic Science Society, which organises talks with top industry professionals, practical demonstrations and social events
Professional links
This programme is fully accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and all students are offered free membership of this professional body.
The School also has links with:
- the Home Office
- the Forensic Explosives Laboratory
- forensic science services
- local health authorities
- biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical companies in the UK and Europe
- Interpol.
Your options
Many students choose to take a year in industry. You don’t have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions apply: see Forensic Science with a Year in Industry.
If you do not have the grades for direct entry on to the Forensic Science BSc, you can take Forensic Science with a Foundation Year. It is also possible to take a four-year programme, which leads to an MSci.
And don’t forget – at Kent you can always enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Independent rankings
Forensic Science at Kent was ranked 6th in The Complete University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2016, Forensic Science was ranked 7th for overall satisfaction.
For graduate prospects, Forensic Science at Kent was ranked 5th in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
There are approximately eight one-hour lectures each week, laboratory classes, project work and problem-solving seminars.
Assessment is by a combination of written examinations, continuous assessment and other assignments. You must pass the Stage 1 examinations in order to go on to Stage 2. Coursework assessments include incident analysis, evidence preservation, presentation skills and expert witness testimony.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- instil enthusiasm for forensic science, an appreciation of its application in different contexts
- provide a broad and balanced foundation of the science and law that underpins forensic practice and methodology in a modern society
- develop the ability to apply knowledge and skills to the solution forensic problems
- teach you the use and understanding of a variety of scientific and quantitative techniques applied to forensic science problems
- provide a knowledge and skills base from which you can proceed to further studies in the forensic and scientific area or in aspects of chemistry, physics or bioscience that are relevant to forensic and related practices
- provide a stimulating, research-active environment for teaching and learning
- provide an understanding of scientific methodology and the ability to undertake and report on an experimental investigation
- generate an appreciation of the importance of forensic science and its practice in a judicial, industrial, economic, environmental and social context, and of the importance of chemistry in an industrial, economic, forensic, and social context.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- core and foundation scientific physical, biological, and chemical concepts, terminology, theory, units, conventions, and laboratory methods in relation to forensic science
- areas of chemistry as applied to forensic analysis, and areas of bioscience, including cells, biochemistry, human DNA
- numeracy, forensic investigation and interpretation and apply them to forensic examination and analysis
- incident investigation, evidence recovery, preservation, and presentation as an expert witness within the judicial environment.
Intellectual skills
You gain intellectual skills in how to:
- demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to the subject to find the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems
- recognise and analyse novel problems and plan strategies for their solution by the evaluation, interpretation and synthesis of scientific information and data by a variety of computational methods
- recognise and implement good measurement science and practice and commonly used forensic laboratory techniques
- write essays and present scientific material and arguments clearly and correctly, in writing and orally, to a range of audiences including legal contexts
- communicate complex scientific argument to a lay audience.
Subject-specific skills
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
- safe handling of chemical materials, taking into account their physical and chemical properties, including any specific hazards associated with their use and to risk assess such hazards
- conduct of standard laboratory procedures involved in analytical work and in the operation of standard forensic instrumentation
- competence in the planning, design and execution of investigations, from the problem-recognition stage through to the evaluation and appraisal of results and findings
- safe handling of firearms, ammunition, and propellants; analysis of forensic evidence related to firearms, firearm discharge, and ballistic theory; collision analysis: mathematical interpretation, field application and reconstruction
- ability to interpret data derived from laboratory observations and measurements, and to present such data to an examining body in the role of expert witness.
Transferable skills
You gain the following transferable skills:
- communication skills covering both written and oral communication
- self-management and organisational skills with the capacity to support life-long learning
- problem-solving skills, relating to qualitative and quantitative information
- information-retrieval skills, in relation to primary and secondary information sources
- IT skills
- interpersonal skills
- time-management and organisational skills
- study skills needed for continuing professional development and preparation for employment as a practicing forensic scientist
- ability to plan and implement independent projects at degree level.
Careers
You graduate with excellent forensic skills, including:
- scene-of-crime skills
- laboratory skills
- document examination
- criminal law and forensic expert witness skills.
In addition, you develop the key transferable skills that graduate employers look for:
- excellent communication skills
- teamworking
- the ability to analyse problems
- time management.
Graduate destinations
Forensic skills are used in a range of professions and industries, for instance at disaster scenes, within archaeology and in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Our graduates go into areas such as government agencies, consultancies, emergency services, local authorities, contract laboratories, research or further vocational training.
Recent destinations include:
- Forensic Explosives Laboratory, part of the Ministry of Defence, providing scientific support to the Police and Crown Prosecution Service.
Help looking for a job
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
Independent rankings
For graduate prospects, Forensic Science at Kent was ranked 5th in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
According to Which? University 2017, the average starting salary for graduates of this degree is £18,000.
What our graduates say
“The course allowed me to develop as a scientist and as a well-rounded invididual.”
Kumaree Ramhit
Forensic Science graduate
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB including B in Biology, Chemistry or Human Biology |
| GCSE | Grade C in Mathematics |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 at HL including Chemistry or Biology 5 at HL and Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.