Forensic Science MSc

A new Forensic Science Masters, which is open to graduates from forensic science and other science degrees. Uniquely, it combines specialist forensic science content with broader analytical science, enabling you to pursue a range of careers afterwards.

Course description

The highlights

• If you are a Forensic Science graduate, this Masters will deepen your specialist forensics knowledge, advance your broader laboratory analysis skills, and enable you to undertake research in an area of your choice
• If you are a graduate from another science discipline (such as chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences or another analytical science), this Masters will enable you to learn specialist forensic science skills and techniques, at the same time as building on your expertise in laboratory analysis and research
• You will have access to a range of specialist facilities, including our Forensic Training Facility, forensic laboratories, specialist imaging suite, insectary, forensic anthropology suite, photography suite, vehicles, clandestine burial site, courtroom, and ballistics laboratory
• Our highly-acclaimed teaching team have a wealth of industry and research experience, both in the UK and internationally.

How you will learn

During this Masters programme, you will learn in a variety of ways, including through crime scene training, lectures, workshops, practical laboratory sessions and court room role-play.

Your assessments may include formal witness statements and expert testimony, essays, laboratory reports, timed assessments, presentations and a dissertation.

Careers

Having an MSc in Forensic Science will give you a competitive edge in the jobs market over those with just undergraduate degrees. On this MSc for instance, you will be able to develop your specialism and build up more practical laboratory experience. You will also have postgraduate-level research experience, which the industry now recognises as important, following publication of guidance and legislation such as The Forensics Review (2019) and the Forensic Science Regulator Act (2021). Both these documents stress the need for continuing research, innovation and development in forensic science, to ensure greater effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System.

The course is made up of three stages – Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc.

Applicants should have a 2:2 or above in BSc Hons Forensic Science or related subjects (such as Analytical Sciences, Biomedical Forensics, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Analysis or Pharmacy).