BSc Forensic Science
About this course
BSc (Hons) Forensic Science is an undergraduate degree focused on the application of scientific methods and techniques to crime scene investigation and legal evidence. Core topics include Programming, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. This course includes a compulsory foundation year and offers options for an international or placement year. The first year introduces foundational principles through modules such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Forensic Science Professional Toolkit, Forensic Chemistry: Molecules under Investigation, and Forensic Investigation: From Documents to DNA, alongside optional choices like Programming for Forensic Scientists. The second year builds expertise with compulsory study in Crime Scenes: Blood, Marks and Prints, Forensic Genetics: DNA and Crime, Chemical Analysis and Detection, Forensic Anthropology: Decomposition and Skeletal Analysis, and Drugs of Abuse, plus optional modules such as Digital Forensics: Crime and Technology. The final year centres on advanced investigative practice and independent research through compulsory modules including Crime Scene to Court, Explosives, Arson and Evidence, Forensic Toxicology: Ingestion to Detection, and the Forensic Science Research Project. Optional final-year study allows further exploration in areas such as Environmental and Wildlife Forensics, Topics in Forensic Biology, Marks and Traces Examination, and Forensic Chemical Analysis: Instrumentation and Evaluation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBC in three A Levels including C in Chemistry or Biology. IB: 554 in three Higher Levels including 4 in Chemistry or Biology, or 29 points including 4 in Higher Level Chemistry or Biology.
See the highest paying Physics & Chemistry degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 76%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 81%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 31 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 7%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 20%
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 15 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- North East: 5%
- North West: 5%
- East Midlands: 25%
- West Midlands: 35%
- East of England: 5%
- South East: 20%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
- The Forensic Science Professional Toolkit
- Forensic Chemistry: Molecules under Investigation
- Forensic Investigation: From Documents to DNA
- Forensic Science Career Planning and Employability Skills
- Programming for Forensic Scientists
- Science and Society
- Crime Scenes: Blood, Marks and Prints
- Forensic Genetics: DNA and Crime
- Chemical Analysis and Detection
- Forensic Anthropology: Decomposition and Skeletal Analysis
- Drugs of Abuse
- Counterfeits, Fakes and Forgeries
- Digital Forensics: Crime and Technology
- Flexible Work Placement (Level 5)
- Crime Scene to Court
- Explosives, Arson and Evidence
- Forensic Toxicology: Ingestion to Detection
- Forensic Science Research Project
- Environmental and Wildlife Forensics
- Topics in Forensic Biology
- Marks and Traces Examination
- Digital Forensics: Applications and Examinations
- Forensic Chemical Analysis: Instrumentation and Evaluation
- Flexible Work Placement (Level 6)
- Professional Experience in Education
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Forensic Science at Keele University earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £23,000 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £38,500. The £27,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Forensic and archaeological sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Forensic Science at Keele University do next?
87% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Forensic Science at Keele University?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Forensic Science at Keele University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level, or 29 points in the IB. The average entrant had 72 UCAS points.
Is BSc Forensic Science at Keele University accredited?
Yes. The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.
How many students continue on BSc Forensic Science at Keele University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.