About this course
Crime is evolving — and so are our ways of fighting it. Today, forensic specialists are the heroes of criminal investigations all around the world. It’s a subject that’s launched a thousand books, TV shows and true-crime podcasts, but there’s even more to forensics than you’ve read, heard, and seen.
From day one of this course, you’ll be working with professional experts in world-class facilities . Comb our famous crime-scene house for clues; work on case studies built from the real-world experiences of our teaching team; review your evidence in our dedicated forensics, chemistry, bioarchaeology, and ballistics labs; and present your findings in NTU’s authentic on-site courtrooms. Perform well enough, and you can even progress onto our MSci course , where you’ll graduate with a Masters-level qualification. This fun, challenging, hands-on course sits at the intersection of law, ethics, and cutting-edge science; you’ll be supported by prestigious guest speakers, placement and study-abroad opportunities, and a close-knit community of staff and students.
Forensics is a global science. Whilst it’s a dream job for crime-fighting-chemists, the professional possibilities stretch far beyond that — from food safety and biometric security, to wildlife and financial crime, to the worldwide battle against counterfeiting, smuggling, and dangerous new designer drugs.
Why study this course?
- It’s accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences — the gold standard in degree-level forensic education.
- We have some of the best facilities in the UK — so good, they’re used to train organisations like the HMRC, the British Transport Police, and rescue services across the East Midlands.
- You’ll be learning from the experts. Our teaching team has the highest number of former and current forensic practitioners in the UK — and in 2022, four of the School of Science and Technology’s six nominees for ‘Outstanding Teaching Staff’ came from the Forensic Sciences team.
- You’ll have the chance to complete a 12-month professional work placement with organisations like the fire brigade, the NHS, and even the Dutch police — an opportunity that’s created job offers for many of our students before they’ve even graduated.
- Looking for an international perspective on forensic theory and practice? You can also take part in a year-long exchange programme with our partner university in Canada.
What’s the difference? BSc vs MSci
- The BSc (Hons) is a three-year undergraduate course — or four years if you choose to complete a work placement. If your academic performance is strong enough over the first two years, we’ll automatically offer you a place on the MSci course.
- The MSci (Hons) is a four-year course that leads to a single postgraduate qualification. The first two years are the same as the BSc course, with advanced, Masters-level study then spread across the third and fourth years.
-
5th in the UK for Forensic Science (Guardian University Guide 2024) -
Top 10 in the UK for Forensic Science (Complete University Guide 2025)
-
94% of forensic science students were positive about the academic support on their course. National Student Survey 2024.
5
What you’ll study
You’ll be exploring the key areas that shape forensic theory and practice: policing and investigation, courtroom law and legal processes, and all the underpinning science. In particular, that scientific focus is what makes NTU’s approach so unique, because we know it’s what employers want to see. Learn the science of forensics, understand how to properly apply it, and you’ll have a big professional advantage over other graduates.
Forensics is an exciting area of study, but it’s also a disciplined, rigorous, and very methodical one. Alongside the evidence gathering and crime scene investigations, you’ll be spending plenty of time in our labs. Here, you’ll be checking samples, chemical compositions, shell casings and weaponry against national databases, whilst honing your analytical skills. It’s a highly detailed and immersive discipline, involving minute details that can make — or break — a case. This isn’t dry, dusty theory: it’s a hands-on introduction to the applied, real-world techniques you’ll be using every day of your career.
The BSc is a versatile course, designed to accommodate your own needs and ambitions. Our goal is to give you a full overview of forensic investigation, from crime scene to courtroom — and to then help you find your own preferred place within that process. To achieve that, we’ll be encouraging you as a person, and not just an investigator, scientist, or analyst: every day, you’ll be developing the conviction, confidence and communication skills that all great forensic practitioners need.
Study abroad opportunities
Get ready to embark on an adventure with our study abroad programs at partner universities or by getting a work placement overseas. Both opportunities will boost your employability, build lifelong friendships, and allow you to experience the world in a whole new way.
Introduction to Forensic Biology
Gain an introduction to the key areas that underpin the complex biological aspects of forensic science. You’ll write scientific reports and carry out oral presentations, both of which are important skills required of a forensic scientist.
Technical Skills for Forensic Science
This module will develop your understanding of professional standards in forensic science, with particular emphasis on the development of your technical and digital skills, including use of an e-portfolio to demonstrate your competency in these areas.
The Forensic Process
Develop your professional awareness of forensic science and the English legal system. Examine the role of the forensic scientist and law enforcement agencies, and even experience live trials.
Introduction to Forensic Analysis
Learn basic chemical principles including chromatography, applied spectroscopy, statistical tests, electroanalytical techniques, and appropriate specialist methods.
Forensic Chemistry
Study theoretical and practical chemistry in relation to forensic science, including concepts of periodicity, bonding and structure, functional group chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
Professional Skills for Forensic Science
Develop your skills in mathematical sciences. This module will help to train you, as a forensic scientist, in the essential calculated and logical thought processes needed to solve problems.
Core modules:
Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Photography
Learn about crime scene investigation and its role within the forensic process, leading onto forensic image processing and the procedures and legislation attached to these areas.
Biological Techniques in Forensic Science
This module will form a platform of knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills in the application of bioscience techniques and their relevance to forensic science.
Ethics and Law for Forensic Science
Gain a professional awareness of the law governing police powers, the substantive criminal law and the law of evidence, including an analysis of law and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Forensic Casework Examination
Develop an awareness of the application of laboratory examination methods in forensic science, enabling practical application of relevant techniques to casework problems.
Forensic Analysis
Building on Year One, you will focus on interfering sample matrices, quantitative and qualitative identification of multicomponent samples, and measurements under non-ideal conditions.
Optional modules - choose one:
Introduction to Suspicious Death Investigation
You’ll consider the range of specialist practitioners needed to investigate an unexplained death in different circumstances and learn the techniques and methods used. Examine bio-deterioration (including decay and degradation of bodies under different environmental conditions) through scenario-led practical sessions.
Forensic Image Processing
Study the principles of imaging including theory of light, how digital sensors work, image noise and techniques for image enhancement. The module is taught through a series of practical workshops where you’ll use our wide range of imaging equipment before processing your images using the software package Image.
Microbial Structure, Identification and Distribution
Explore the function of important subcellular structures of micro-organisms, as well as the taxonomy and identification of the main groups of bacteria, fungi and viruses relating to forensic investigations.
Optional year-long work placement. If you are not taking a placement you will progress directly to your final year in year three.
Drugs of Abuse
This module focuses on drugs of abuse and illustrates the forensic applications of a range of analytical techniques. Learn about
the legislation covering substances and their classifications.
Research Project
You will develop research skills required for independent final year study: formulating a research question, conducting a literature
review and making a critical appraisal of published research work.
Molecular Techniques for Identification
You will develop an understanding of the role of DNA-based analysis, looking at the various techniques and issues relating to the successful recovery and analysis of DNA samples.
Optional modules - choose two:
Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
Managing a crime scene is explored in detail in this module and you’ll learn how to deal with major and serious crime scenes and consider contamination issues. Blood pattern analysis is also studied and you’ll develop an understanding dynamics of blood interpretation and its use as evidence in investigations.
Forensic Microbiology
Develop your molecular identification methods including microbial DNA fingerprinting (PFGE, PCR-amplification techniques) and explore the use of international databases (EnterNet, PulseNet).
You’ll consider bioterrorism, accidental and deliberate contamination, medical negligence and food-borne disease through the use of real-life case studies.
Communicating Science and Technology
An opportunity for you to gain valuable transferable skills working as a ‘student-tutor’ with teachers in local schools or to work on a community-based project.
Ballistics and Firearms
Study the current legislation around firearms including hand guns, rifles, shotguns, sub machine guns, proof marks and ammunition. You’ll explore physical concepts for ballistics to understand the nature of spent ammunition comprising Newton’s laws of motion and gravity.
Forensic Ecology and Anthropology
Using techniques such as forensic entomology, botany and anthropology, you’ll discover how long ago remains were deposited and what they contain. Take part in activities where you’ll collect data which you’ll analyse and make conclusions before writing a witness statement that could be used as a vital piece of evidence in court.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
"So much support is available for students, academically and otherwise. The facilities are at a very good standard, there is so much equipment available that I didn't see elsewhere when looking at universities."
(BSc (Hons) Forensic Science student review, Student Crowd)
How you're taught
Our supportive, multi-award-winning teaching team is a big part of what makes this course so special. Made up of current and former practitioners, they’ve seen it all, and they bring over 200 combined years of professional experience to the table. Variously, they’ve worked (and continue to work) as crime scene investigators, bioarchaeologists, fingerprint and footwear experts, laboratory managers, toxicologists, chemists, DNA reporting scientists, police officers, and detectives with the Serious and Organised Crime Squad.
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical sessions - using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
- workshops - this includes surgery sessions where you’ll meet with your lecturer in small groups to discuss any problems or work through challenging topics.
The rest of your time will be spent carrying out independent study such as reading textbooks and lecture notes, and working on exercises.
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study.
Learn from the best
Through their shared expertise, their incredible industry connections (including the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, the Home Office, the HMRC, Nottinghamshire Police, and the Dutch Police and Fire Service), and guest-speaker events like that Chemistry and Forensic Seminar Series, you’ll be learning from the best of the best.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
How you're assessed
People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. That’s why we’ve adopted a range of assessment types, including:
- case studies
- oral presentations
- portfolios of your own work
- a personal project and paper
- group projects
- laboratory assessments
- reports
- exams and written tests
Careers and employability
Your career development
Employers in the fields of chemistry, biology and physics as well as forensic science highly value graduates with a strong background in:
- scientific investigation
- the reconstruction of events
- the presentation of findings.
These skills are invaluable for careers in forensic science, law enforcement (for example, the police, Customs and Excise, immigration and fraud investigation) and academic research.
Our recent BSc (Hons) Forensic Science graduates have secured the following careers:
- Derbyshire Constabulary – Forensic Services Assistant
- De Montfort University – Microbiology Lab Technician
- Reckett Benckiser – Analytical Assistant
- Nottinghamshire Police – Police Constable
- Harlan Sera Limited – Laboratory Technician
- Boots – Pharmacy Development Analyst
- Premier Analytical Services – Microscopist
- Surrey Police – Intelligence Processing Assistant
- Cellmark Forensic Services – ID Laboratory Scientist
- Eurofins Forensic Services – Toxicologist
- Nanosight – Particle Physicist.
Many graduates also choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
Excellent placement opportunities
First for the number of Forensic students on year-long placements (HESA 2021/22)
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent Forensic Science students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including Nottinghamshire and Cumbria Police Forces and the NHS. They secured varied roles such as Collision Investigation Support Volunteer, Digital Forensics Intern and Student Cyber Security Analyst.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Erasmus Darwin Building and Crime Scene Training Facility with access to facilities including:
Crime Scene Training Facility
This is a typical residential property based on-campus and used exclusively as a crime scene investigation training facility. The rooms are set up to replicate a range of realistic crime scene scenarios, ranging from burglaries and assaults to searches for illegal substances. You will take on the role of crime scene examiner and develop your investigation, collection and analysis techniques.
Ballistics Laboratory
You will have access to a large reference collection of spent and inert shotgun, rifle, pistol and revolver ammunition to train in ammunition recognition.
The focal point of the Ballistics Laboratory is the comparison microscope, which you will use to identify the characteristics of spent cartridge cases and bullets recovered from crime scenes.
You will have access to ammunition and firearms identification databases, which are the same as those used by UK ballistics experts and firearms examiners.
Document Examination Laboratory
You will learn how to use the video spectral comparator (VSC) to determine the authenticity of security documents such as:
- passports
- identity cards
- currency.
You will also learn how to recover indented writing evidence from documents using the electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA). A wide of photographic stands and specialist light sources are available for use in photographing a range of evidence types that have been recovered from crime scenes. All Forensic Science students are trained in digital photography and image processing.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including Chemistry and another Science or Numerate subject grade C*
- Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including Chemistry and another Science or Numerate subject grade C*
* we will accept biology / human biology, physics, maths / further maths, core maths, use of maths, environmental science, physical education and sport science.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including Chemistry and another Science or Numerate subject* grade C. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
* we will accept biology / human biology, physics, maths / further maths, core maths, use of maths, environmental science, physical education and sport science.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
