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Forensic Science

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Preston Campus
More about University of Lancashire

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Course Overview

Explore the science of investigation, learning the skills to collect, analyse and interpret evidence. It’s a highly specialised course, designed to put you on a high-impact career path.

Why study with us

  • You’ll learn the theory and practice of forensic investigation, crime scene processing and laboratory-based analysis.

  • Learn from experts in their fields, whether seasoned CSIs, former police professionals or leading academics. This combination of teaching staff allows us to build on the many years' experience of senior practitioners and research developments at the cutting-edge of the discipline.

  • Our course provides an excellent starting point for a career in the competitive sector of forensic science. You’ll find our former students working in all sorts of forensic science settings – as CSI, police officers, scientific support personnel and intelligence analysts, at home and overseas.

What you'll do

  • You’ll work in labs equipped with cutting-edge microscopy and analytical equipment, and at our outdoor facility for research in forensic taphonomy and decomposition.

  • As well as covering modules focused on the core aspects of Forensic Science, you can focus on specialist areas like genetics, toxicology and anthropology.

  • You can take a sandwich-year placement, developing vital career-boosting skills in a local hospital laboratory or with a scientific research project.

Accreditations

  • This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, demonstrating that it provides a solid, widely respected route into the highly competitive field of forensic and criminal investigation.

Future Careers

By the time you graduate from our Forensic Science BSc (Hons) programme, you will be well placed to start an exciting career in areas of forensic science, biological sciences or chemical analysis.

Modules

Please visit The University of Lancashire’s website for the latest information about our modules.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Preston Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
F410
Institution code:
C30
Campus name:
Preston Campus
Campus Code:
U
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

University of Lancashire has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

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:
F410
Institution code:
C30
Campus name:
Preston Campus
Campus Code:
U

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 - 112 points

Including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science. Our typical offer is 104 to 112 UCAS Points. We operate a flexible admissions policy and treat everyone as an individual. This means that we will take into consideration your educational achievements and predicted grades (where applicable) together with your application as a whole, including work experience and personal statement.

A level

104 to 112 UCAS points at A2 including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science

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

BTEC Applied Science from 2016 - Must include 6 of the following BTEC modules at Merit - Principles and Applications of Science I, Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques, Science Investigation Skills, Laboratory Techniques and their Application, Principles and Applications of Science II, Investigative Project, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Diseases and Infection, Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques, Industrial Chemical Reactions, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science, Materials Science, Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation BTEC Applied Science pre 2016 - Must include 6 of the following modules at Merit - Fundamentals of Science, Scientific Investigations, Scientific Practical Techniques, Mathematical Calculation for Science, Using Statistics in Science, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biochemistry and Biomechanical Techniques, Microbiological Techniques, Chemistry for Biology Technicians, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science Techniques

Access to HE Diploma

104 to 112 UCAS points including 15 level 3 credits in Biology or Chemistry

Scottish Higher

104 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science

AS - Not accepted

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

BTEC Applied Science from 2016 - Must include 6 of the following BTEC modules at Merit - Principles and Applications of Science I, Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques, Science Investigation Skills, Laboratory Techniques and their Application, Principles and Applications of Science II, Investigative Project, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Diseases and Infection, Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques, Industrial Chemical Reactions, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science, Materials Science, Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation BTEC Applied Science pre 2016 - Must include 6 of the following modules at Merit - Fundamentals of Science, Scientific Investigations, Scientific Practical Techniques, Mathematical Calculation for Science, Using Statistics in Science, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction, Biochemistry and Biomechanical Techniques, Microbiological Techniques, Chemistry for Biology Technicians, Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Practical Chemical Analysis, Biomedical Science Techniques

Scottish Advanced Higher

104 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Pass IB Diploma including 104 to 112 UCAS points from Higher Level subjects including HL Biology or Chemistry

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

104 to 112 UCAS points including Biology, Chemistry or Applied Science

GCSE/National 4/National 5

5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Maths and English or equivalent. Equivalent qualifications are Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English or Level 3 Key Skills in Maths and Communication.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM

including acceptable Chemistry and Biology units

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - D*D - D*D*

including acceptable Chemistry and Biology units

T Level - M

including Biology or Chemistry or Applied Science

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6with no component score less than 5.5 (To have been taken within two years of the course commencement date)

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.

Our Fair Access Scheme recognises barriers into education and allows us to make an offer with lower entry requirements. At the University of Lancashire, we are proud to help people seize every opportunity to flourish in education, at work and for life. We recognise that students from disadvantaged backgrounds often face significant challenges to access and succeed in higher education. Our Fair Access Scheme ensures that students aren’t limited by circumstances and can achieve their potential.

Learn more on the University of Lancashire website

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.

Data from:
This course and 1 other forensic and archaeological sciences course
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

For University of Lancashire, the top and bottom 5% of student grades have been removed from these calculations. This change helps to remove any extraordinary circumstances that could impact the data. Learn more here .
CCD Most common
  1. AAA
  2. Highest grades
  3. DDD
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

97% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

74 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

88 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 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

*subject only to annual increase in line with UK Retail Price Index Inflation rate and increases permitted by the Government

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