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Go beyond the police tape and learn in cutting-edge facilities with this fascinating and highly practical Forensic Sciences degree, which is ranked top in the UK for teaching, academic support and resources (NSS 2023).
Go beyond the police tape with this fascinating and highly practical Forensic Sciences degree. Learn the techniques that underpin the recognition, identification, recovery, analysis and evaluation of information which can be used as evidence in court.
Are you naturally inquisitive with a passion for chemistry and biology? Do you like to solve problems for fun? Put these traits to work on this Forensic Sciences degree that equips you with the valuable skills you need to help support the legal process.
It’s a hands-on degree, where you will analyse crime scenes in our purpose-built facilities and learn forensic analysis techniques in our state-of-the-art laboratories. You’ll go on fact-finding field trips to places like the mortuary and bomb disposal sites. There are work placement opportunities in year two, plus you’ll betaught by academics who’ve come directly from industry and forensic researchers at the cutting edge of their fields.
You’ll cover topics such as:
Crime scene investigation
Body fluid analysis
DNA profiling
Trace evidence analysis
Forensic chromatography and spectroscopy
Fingerprinting
Substances of abuse and toxicology
This vocational degree consists of three main study areas – forensic science, chemistry and biology; and includes psychology and law, designed to help prepare you for a variety of workplace situations. You’ll hear lectures from organisations like Scottish Police Authority, the Army Bomb Squad, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
Our Forensic Sciences degree is professionally accredited and commended by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSoFS).
This degree is ranked top in the UK for teaching, academic support and resources (NSS 2023).
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Keen to learn more about crime scene investigation? Fingerprint enhancement? Find out about some of the techniques relevant to police investigations and the criminal justice system? Forensic Sciences here at Abertay is the degree for you.
This course is professionally accredited and commended by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSoFS), which means you’re eligible to apply for associate membership on graduation.
Potential careers
Our graduates often become forensic scientists, either as part of the civil service or the private sector, and many work in related areas. Potential careers include:
Forensic scientist
Crime scene examiner
Toxicologist
Analytical chemist/biologist
DNA analyst
Police officer
Food and drink analyst
Choose your path
You will leave with the skills to pursue a range of fulfilling and varied careers. Some graduates have gone into:
Developing diagnostics in the biotechnology industries
Quality assurance
Problem solving in the public utilities sector
Developing protocols and procedures in the armed forces or government agencies
Training as science teachers
You could also move onto further study at the Masters or PhD level.
Strong industry links
We enjoy excellent relationships with a number of forensic laboratories.
You’ll hear guest lectures from organisations like the Scottish Police Authority, the Army Bomb Disposal Squad, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), the James Hutton Institute, and Forensic Access.
About your modules
All modules shown are indicative and reflect course content for the current academic year. Modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change. If you receive an offer to study with us we will send you a Programme document that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.
You’ll learn via lectures and tutorials, student-led learning, interactive class sessions, practical work and a substantial element of laboratory work. We encourage you to be self-motivated and to study independently.
Assessment is by a variety of methods, enabling you to demonstrate progress in different ways. Coursework typically includes lab reports, essays and oral presentations. Formal exams typically include questions that require either short answers or essays, coupled with solving forensic-related challenges.
Year one is approximately 50% exam and 50% coursework, this includes presentations and practical assessments.
Year four is approximately 40% examinations. This does not include your final year project, which is coursework based.
In your final year dissertation, you’re individually supported by an experienced research-active member of staff.
Direct entry into year two is possible depending on the appropriate qualifications. Please contact Admissions for more details.
Accreditation
Our Forensic Sciences degree is professionally accredited and commended by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSoFS), which means you’re eligible to apply for associate membership on graduation.
Please note: All applicants must have a pass in English - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4. National 5 ESOL is accepted in lieu of National 5 English and Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4. National 5 Lifeskill Maths and Application of Maths NOT accepted in lieu of Maths.
To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at B
Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below).
BBC
To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at B
A-Level
CCC
To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry
T Level
C or higher
in Core Component in Healthcare Science or Science
Irish Highers
H3H3H3H3
To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry
International Baccalaureate
27 Points
Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at S5/H4
BTEC Extended Diploma
MMM
Applied Science (all pathways)
AHEAD
Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme
SWAP Access
BBB
Access to: Life Sciences, Health & Life Sciences, Science, Biological Sciences, Biological & Biomedical Sciences
If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.
We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.
If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have...
been in care, or are a young carer yourself
attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university
are eligible for free school meals
are a young person estranged from your family
are a government-recognised refugee or have asylum seeker status
are a registered pupil with sustained engagement in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North
... we encourage you to submit an application.
Support for Ukrainian students
We're keen to offer help to Ukrainian students who may wish to transfer from their existing institution in Ukraine or to register with us as new students for intake in September. There will be no tuition fees charged for the duration of the degree programme, as those with refugee status are treated as ‘Home/Scottish’ students and will also have access to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland bursary and student loans. Our Recruitment Team can help guide applicants.
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.
Two £1,000 awards for students who have overcome challenges to attend university.
The Discover Uni dataset
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education. It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.