Undergraduate BSc (Hons)
Forensic Science
with a Foundation Year
Unlock the secrets of crime-solving and gain the skills for a rewarding career.
Do you want to understand the science behind crime scene investigation, develop your laboratory skills and be trained in the delivery of expert witness testimony? Then choose our top-ranked Forensic Science degree.
This programme is designed for students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to Stage 1 of our degree courses, and is an excellent conversion course for applicants who have shown academic ability in non-science subjects.
You'll graduate with in-depth knowledge of the theory behind the science, supported by practical experience gained in simulated crime scenes and court cases, major incident exercises that unfold in real time and in our outstanding laboratories. You'll also discover how the skills you gain can be applied within archaeology and in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
This course is fully accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Science.
Your Forensic Science degree opens the door to lots of exciting careers; taking a professional placement year helps you discover some of those options.
We're ranked 1st in The Guardian University Guide 2023 and 3rd in The Complete University Guide 2024.
Forensic Science student Luke Ryde has spent a lifetime planning his career path, discover why Kent was part of his plan.
Academic advisers and support staff are on hand to help with course and life queries; careers advisers to help you get where you want to go.
You'll use industry-standard equipment from the start of your degree.
Our typical offer levels are listed below and include indicative contextual offers. If you hold alternative qualifications just get in touch and we'll be glad to discuss these with you.
For those with a relevant science qualification our standard offer is CDD with one of these to be a Science subject, for those without a relevant science qualification our standard offer is BB, OR CCC including at least two subjects from the following areas: humanities, computing, art and design, English language or literature.
A typical offer would be MMP in Applied Science, Biomedical Science, Medical Science, Forensic and Criminal Investigation, Sport or Sports Coaching. All other subjects are considered on a case by case basis.
80 tariff points - typically H5, H4, H4 including HL Science Subject, Sport, Psychology or Maths at 4 or SL Science Subject, Sport, Psychology or Maths at 6.
N/A
Pass overall in Science with C or more in the core components.
The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer would be to obtain Access to HE Diploma with 45 level 3 credits, including at least 6 at Distinction, 18 at Merit and 21 at Pass. This will then be reviewed by the School.
The following modules are offered to our current students. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation:
This module will introduce students to the fundamental components of life. Students will be introduced to the function of key cellular components and their organisation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Through the study of cellular processes, students will develop an appreciation and understanding of the key biological processes underpinning living organisms.
This module will cover chemical concepts and principles. Through lectures and workshops, student will learn about atoms and states of matter, valence and bonding, basic chemical reactions, molecular shapes and isomerism, writing chemical equations and thermodynamics. The application of these principles in chemistry, forensic science, biological and exercise science will be explored in workshops, illustrating their fundamental importance in the natural sciences.
This module will provide a fundamental academic framework the support students in the study of Natural Sciences. The curriculum will address the study of science in a higher education environment and support students in the transition to university. Within the context of the Natural Science subjects, students will undertake laboratory investigations, developing skills and confidence in experimental work. Student will also learn how to find and evaluate information relevant to scientific investigation and use key software packages and databases to do so. The module will provide training in the use of mathematics to develop skills and confidence in numeracy, mathematical and statistical evaluation and graphical presentation of quantitative information.
This module draws together different strands of biological, chemical, physiological and human sciences to explore how scientific investigations can address major global challenges. Practical experimental work involving equipment used in research investigations, creative and critical thinking workshops, and guided group work will explore the role of the natural sciences in addressing some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The module will provide insight into the degree pathways available after completion of the foundation year.
This module will build upon fundamental biological principles and processes and place them in the context of key human physiological systems. The function of human tissues will be explained and discussed. The module will explore key principles of genetic inheritance and the drivers of genetic variation. These key areas will provide the foundations for exploring homeostasis in humans, the maintenance of health and the onset of disease.
This module will introduce students to the scientific applications of fundamental sport and exercise sciences topics. This will include anatomy and physiology, as applied to sport, exercise and physical activity; the musculoskeletal system; biomechanics of human movements; psychology in sport and exercise; and how physical fitness, or components of fitness, are assessed in an objective and scientific way.
This module will cover chemical concepts and principles. Through lectures and workshops, student will learn about how chemical reactions occur and the fundamentals and uses of common transformations. This will be accompanied by an introduction to the methods by which these can be studied. The application of these concepts and techniques in chemistry, forensic science, biological and exercise science will be explored in workshops, illustrating their fundamental importance in the natural sciences.
This module presents a unified understanding of the structure of matter, linking physical properties to bonding and energy, and providing the tools necessary to begin to describe and analyse chemical problems. Key concepts such as mass balance and bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic, and intermolecular) are linked to analytical methods to show how these fundamental ideas can be measured and used.
Organic chemistry underpins not only much of the chemistry of living things but also modern materials, dyes, medicines, and more. This module discusses the structure of organic molecules in detail, showing the shape of molecules dictates their properties, and how Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) can exploit this to determine the structures and thus properties of unknown molecules. Fundamental modes of reactivity of organic molecules are discussed, showing how simple mechanisms can be used to build complex and useful compounds.
An introduction to the core Mathematical skills required within the Chemical and Forensic Sciences. These core skills will be complemented with a variety of problem-solving applications in Chemistry and Forensic Science.
Chemistry, as one of the physical sciences, is rooted in careful observation of the natural world and experimentation. This module teaches the key skills required to work in a chemical laboratory, analysing unknown systems and synthesising new ones, and learning how to apply the theories and ideas from lecture modules to socially and industrially relevant problems.
One-on-one meetings and small group tutorials focused on academic progression and the development of key skills to support the core curriculum and future study or employment. Students meet with their Academic Advisor individually or in small groups at intervals during the academic year. Individual meetings review academic progress, support career planning etc. Themed tutorials develop transferable skills; indicative topics are essay and report writing, presentation skills, sourcing information, critical analysis etc. The tutorials are informal involving student activity and discussion. Year group events deliver general information e.g. on University resources, 4-year programmes, module selection etc.
In this module students will experience a broad overview of evidence categories and crime types commonly encountered within the criminal justice system. Students will also be taken through a range of techniques associated with the delivery of forensic science to support this system.
This module introduces a range of forensically-relevant practical techniques from the initial processing of incident or crime scenes through to carrying out relevant laboratory analyses of evidence collected.
This module will provide forensic science students with some of the core understanding in inorganic and physical chemistry. These aspects will underpin students' understanding of Analytical Techniques and the Chemistry related to various forensic processes, leading to an enhanced understanding of Forensic Chemistry.
This module introduces students to the mathematical, physical, social and legal concepts that underpin academic study in the field of forensic ballistics.
One-on-one meetings and small group tutorials focused on academic progression and the development of key skills to support the core curriculum and future study or employment. Students meet with their Academic Advisor individually or in small groups at intervals during the academic year. Individual meetings review academic progress, support career planning etc. Themed tutorials develop transferable skills; indicative topics are essay and report writing, presentation skills, sourcing information, critical analysis etc. The tutorials are informal involving student activity and discussion. Year group events deliver general information e.g. on University resources, 4-year programmes, module selection etc.
This course will introduce students to the key ideas and fundamental molecular components of biochemistry. The course will cover simple biomolecules and non-covalent interactions, building up to biological oligomers. This will lead to introductory pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, illustrated with medicinal chemistry case studies.
Analytical chemistry underpins all other aspects of the discipline, and covers not only how to find out what a thing is but how to design experiments and confirm results to quantify just how confident you can be that your answer is useful. This module takes a pragmatic, applications driven approach to sample preparation, analysis, and data validation.
This module will develop students' appreciation of a range of physical techniques applied to the collection of bulk and trace evidence materials in forensic science. Students will look more deeply into aspects of physical evidence and will deal with the practical issues of item examination, legal process and general procedure associated with the collection and submission of a range of forensically-relevant materials.
This module will cover a range of techniques that can be applied to the discovery, aging and identification of buried and ancient remains or artefacts.
This module introduces students to a range of scene investigation and evidence processing techniques through a combination of laboratory-based training exercises and simulated scene investigation scenarios.
This module offers students experience in a wide range of important forensic investigative and analytical skills relating to other taught and practical modules in the forensic programme. Students will also have the opportunity to build computational skills through the use facial composite software.
This module covers a broad range of established and emerging, computer based, forensic methods. It is organised into three units: Facial Identification Techniques, focusing on facial composite construction, Image Processing & Photo Forensics and Digital Forensics.
This module will give students a background in forensic ballistics, including the investigation of shooting scenes, firearms law and wound ballistics.
One-on-one meetings and small group tutorials focused on academic progression and the development of key skills to support the core curriculum and future study or employment. Students meet with their Academic Advisor individually or in small groups at intervals during the academic year. Individual meetings review academic progress, support career planning etc. Themed tutorials develop transferable skills; indicative topics are essay and report writing, presentation skills, sourcing information, critical analysis etc. The tutorials are informal involving student activity and discussion. Year group events deliver general information e.g. on University resources, 4-year programmes, module selection etc.
In this module you will be introduced to a variety of modern techniques used to understand the structure, properties and potential applications of materials. An illustrative list of potential analytical techniques covered include: atomic emission/absorption spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry and optical microscopy, electron microscopy.
The role of evidence in a courtroom is technical but its rules reflect core principles of the due process of law. These are becoming more significant with the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998 and it is important for forensic scientists, who may act as expert witnesses, to have an understanding of these rules and their operation in the trial process. This module considers the position of forensic evidence within the trial process, rules governing the recognition of such evidence and the perception of its value in the trial. In addition matters such as the function of the judge and jury, burden and standard of proof, and hearsay are considered from a central focus of how they relate to forensic evidence.
This module covers a range of core chemical science that relates to fire and explosive events. The applied investigation of such events is also discussed to give students a wider appreciation of previous case studies and the complexities of post-fire and post-blast investigations.
This module focuses on various aspects of science communication to the public, including the creation of general interest posters, before guiding students through the processes associated with the presentation of evidence to the courts as an expert witness. This concludes with a cross-examination process in a realistic courtroom environment.
This module will include the following:
• Development of a project topic and carrying out independent research.
• Complete management of the project.
• Writing a literature review of the selected area of investigation.
• Writing a progress report.
• Performing an investigation in a group setting with minimal supervision.
• Giving a presentation.
• Writing a project report.
This module comprises a range of contemporary topics covering methods of analysis and the interpretational issues associated with forensic DNA profiling. The materials take students through the evolution of forensic DNA processes and the practical issues of sample collection, processing and storage, DNA theory and practical DNA processing. Students will appreciate the difficulties associated with mixed samples and the statistical interpretation associated with both single source and mixture interpretation. The module draws upon the latest materials published by the Forensic Science Regulator and the latest quality and legal standards associated with DNA profiling. The module is contextualised throughout using a range of contemporary case studies.
This module will include the principles of application, quality and legal aspects of analysis and identification using several evidence types – entwined with case examples of major crimes. The module is intended to cover the most up to date topics within forensic science and will be supported with a wide range of contemporary case studies.
The module will include the following subject areas:
• Case Assessment & Interpretation.
• A selection of contemporary case studies demonstrating the application of forensic science.
• Quality standards in forensic science.
• Ethics in forensic science.
• Bias
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.
You must pass all modules of the foundation year in order to progress onto Stage 1.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
The programme aims to:
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
You gain intellectual skills in how to:
You gain the following subject-specific skills:
You gain the following transferable skills:
Forensic scientists are in demand in lots of areas. In addition to working with the police and in the criminal justice system, forensic skills are also sought after in the food and pharmaceutical industries and can be applied within archaeology. Our graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:
You'll also develop key transferable skills including: the ability to work independently or as part of a team; to analyse and problem solve; to conduct research and communicate your findings.
Kent is really well recognised as a place to take this degree, so it just seemed like the best fit for me.
The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
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.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Sadie McDevitt and Katey-Li Dickerson are members of the student-led Forensic Science Society: “We’ve been hosting talks and events each week, with a range of speakers and interactive activities, building a lovely community of friends across all years and even different courses. Learning lots while also having fun!”
Next steps
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
We welcome applications from students all around the world with a wide range of international qualifications.
Student life
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