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Forensic Science

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Why study BSc (Hons) Forensic Science at BU?

  • Taught by professional practitioners and guest speakers who are experts in their respective fields, including forensic DNA profiling, crime scene investigation and forensic toxicology

  • You will be taught in contemporary lecture halls and state-of-the-art labs where you’ll use cutting-edge equipment

  • Take part in invaluable lab and fieldwork experience, including mock crime scenes and a live-fire exercise

  • Provided with theoretical and practical training covering crime scene science, toxicology, chemistry and molecular biology

  • Gain valuable work experience on your placement if you choose to take one and springboard into a career as a forensic investigator post-graduation

  • You'll be career-ready, with 88% of graduates from our forensic and archaeological sciences courses in employment or further study after 15 months. (source DiscoverUni 2023)

Exploring crime scene science, toxicology, chemistry, and molecular biology, this degree is designed to be one of the most modern and relevant of its kind. It has been engineered to give you an understanding of the theory and practice of forensic science.

Course Accreditation:
Our BSc (Hons) Forensic Science is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS). CSFS Educational Accreditation is the independent assessment of educational quality for degrees focusing on forensic science, and gives students and future employers confidence in the quality and quantity of the forensic science content of programmes.

Modules

Year 1 core units: Exploring and Understanding Science | Cell Biology | Chemistry | Human Anatomy and Physiology | Introduction to Forensic Investigation | Introduction to Forensic Psychology

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F413
Institution code:
B50
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points

The entry requirements for this course are 104 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels.

A level

The entry requirements for this course are 104 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)

Access to HE Diploma

102 - 118 tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades

Scottish Higher

104 - 120 tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

An overall score of 28 - 31 points.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Extended Project

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

104 - 120 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points)

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma

Distinction*, Distinction (104 UCAS tariff points)

OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma

We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

T Level - M

120 UCAS tariff points

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component of writing, speaking, listening and reading.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Please note that this information reflects historical entry requirements for UK 18-year-olds who pursued A level and BTEC qualifications. Please see the relevant course page of our website for the most up-to-date details on this course’s entry requirements and selection methods. Our offer-making process is based on your potential to succeed on your chosen course and considers a range of factors.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9790Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790Year 1
Scotland£9790Year 1
Wales£9790Year 1
Channel Islands£9790Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9790Year 1
EU£20685Year 1
International£20685Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Placement year: the tuition fee for a placement year is based on the academic year in which the placement takes place. For students completing their placement in the 2026/27 academic year, the fee is £1,900* (UK, ROI, CI and International).

*Important information about fees: The UK, ROI & CI fees listed above for the 2026/27 academic year have been confirmed by the UK Government (subject to Parliamentary approval). In line with the maximum fee limits set out in Regulations, tuition fees will increase annually thereafter in line with inflation (using RPI-X, a measure of inflation).

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