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Forensic science is a high-profile subject in the UK. It has received a lot of new investment for expansion since the well-publicised miscarriages of justice in the 1970s. As a result, scientific liaison officers have been appointed by the police service and the knowledge and communication gap between the scientists and the police at a crime scene has narrowed. Forensic skills are used in a wide range of professions and industries; for instance, at disaster scenes, within archaeology and in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Overview
New legislation has stimulated demand for authentication of materials, and for experts and analytical companies to carry out the work. Forensic scientists are specialists, but their skills have to bridge several disciplines within a legal context. At Kent, the core scientific content is taught by staff from the School of Physical Sciences and the legal background is taught by staff from Kent Law School. Additional content is delivered by expert practitioners from the field of forensic science.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, 92% of Forensic Science students were satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
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
The degree is made of a combination of 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.
Please note that there are degree thresholds at stages 2 and 3 that you will be required to pass in order to continue onto the next stages.
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
- extend this knowledge and practical ability to an advanced level in selected specialist area and subjects
- 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, based in part on an extended research project
- prepare you for a professional role in forensic science within the criminal or civil judicial system, with the skill necessary to present evidence
- generate an appreciation of the importance of forensic science and chemistry, 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
- advanced theory, concepts, and practice in the forensic field
- 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
- command, management and logistics of major incidents such as air or rail accidents; emergency and disaster planning.
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
- ability to recognise and solve forensic related problems at an advanced level
- recognise and implement good measurement science and practice and commonly used forensic laboratory techniques
- ability to select the most appropriate techniques for a given analysis and to use a wide range of advanced apparatus
- 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
- research project planning and implementation
- 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
- evidence recovery, preservation, analysis, and presentation to professional standards.
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
- effective research costing and planning
- study skills needed for continuing professional development and preparation for employment as a practicing forensic scientist
- skills relevant to a career in forensic science (practice or judiciary) and forensic research
- ability to plan and implement large-scale independent projects at MSci level.
Careers
The skills you gain studying forensic science equip you for a range of jobs where the ability to analyse problems and combine disciplinary perspectives is required. The degree opens up specialised opportunities without closing off access to general opportunities.
Recent graduates have gone into areas such as government agencies, consultancies, emergency services, local authorities, contract laboratories, research or further vocational training.
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.