BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science

• Benefit from a team of research-active academics and experts who work at the forefront of the field and who use interactive and practical teaching approaches to bring theory and practice to life
  • Gain a specialist degree in a rapidly growing field with a current skills shortage in the marketplace
  • Learn how to successfully present your evidence in written format and orally within a mock trial
  • Access a wide range of specialist software and tools including a range of laboratories, a dedicated crime scene house and a taphonomic facility with a licence to carry out decomposition studies

During your three years studying Forensic Science, you will have the opportunity to attend mock crime scenes, recover and analyse forensic evidence, and present your results in a variety of ways, such as expert witness reports and oral and poster presentations. You will encounter a large variety of evidence types and learn from real forensic practitioners how to examine and interpret the evidence.

The programme will include a significant amount of laboratory work in order to ensure you gain competence in the selection and use of a range of methods used in the location, identification, recovery, examination, comparison, extraction and scientific analysis of commonly encountered physical, chemical and biological materials.

Teaching takes place through a variety of methods, including small group seminars, fieldwork and laboratory practicals. You will gain valuable practical skills and develop your independent thinking by working under crime scene conditions and undertaking evidence collection using the universities facilities such as a new laboratory, a taphonomic facility and a dedicated crime scene house.

In Year 1 , you study key issues in forensic investigation and begin to develop your own research and analytical skills. Core modules include History of Forensic Science, Introduction to Forensic Evidence, Non-Biological Evidence, Biological Evidence, Contemporary Issues, Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Academic and Employment Skills.

In Year 2 , you explore modules on Forensic Medicine, Research Methods, Practical Skills, Forensic DNA Evidence, Forensic Ecology, Geoforensics and Forensic Toxicology.

In your final year, you will study modules in Crime Scene Investigation and Court Room Skills, and carry out an extended research project of your own design. This enables you to specialise in your chosen field of research, under the guidance of your supervisor.

Some optional modules are available in Years 2 and 3, depending on your own interests. These may include Case Investigation and Review, Fakes and Forgeries, Volunteering, Document Analysis, Forensic Linguistics and Advanced Forensic Examination.

Key transferable skills are gained throughout the course, which is important for employability and those entering further education. These include the ability to communicate findings through oral and poster presentations, to write detailed and clear laboratory logs and expert witness reports, and to present evidence orally under cross-examination.

This is a versatile degree that gives you an excellent basis for a future career in the field. As a strategic thinking graduate equipped with valuable transferable skills, you will be prepared for employment in a wide variety of fields, such as governmental agencies, forensic investigation, policing, quality assurance in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory analysis and chemical and biological research.

This programme is currently seeking recognition from The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

The University of Winchester empowers students to reach their full potential and make a difference in the world. Set in Winchester, a beautiful, quintessential English city with a rich heritage and vibrant contemporary culture, the university’s friendly and compact campuses give students the benefit of city and campus living. We are well situated with excellent transport links allowing you to reach London or the coast in an hour, and Southampton Airport is just a 10-minute train journey away.

The university offers a selection of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that are taught across our five faculties:

• Faculty of Business and Digital Technologies: A modern, forward-thinking faculty offering a range of disciples including Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Computer Science and Marketing.
• Faculty of Education and the Arts: Has a long and established history of providing high-quality degrees, and is home to the Institute of Education, Department of Education and Childhood Studies, Department of Performing Arts, and School of Media and Film.
• Faculty of Health and Wellbeing: Outstanding degrees that are committed to progressing health and well-being for all life. The faculty includes Nursing, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Animal Welfare and Sports degrees.
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Passionate about what makes us human, we offer research-led teaching and outstanding support in Anthropology; Archaeology; History; Psychology; Social Sciences including Politics and Geography; Philosophy; English and Creative Writing.
• Faculty of Law, Crime and Justice: Bringing together the department of Law and the department of Policing, Criminology and Forensics, the faculty uses an interdisciplinary approach to offer a dynamic range of degrees that offer the use of specialist facilities.