At Worcester, you'll study the science that underpins the analysis of forensic material using a ‘crime scene to court’ approach. You'll start by managing crime scenes and collecting evidence, then move on to analysing it in the laboratory and presenting your findings in court.
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Overview
This Forensic Science degree introduces you to the world of forensic science and crime scene investigation, providing the scientific foundation needed to support criminal investigations with objective and factual evidence. Key topics include genetics, cell biology, human anatomy, an introduction to the legal system, bone identification, and the analysis of physical evidence such as fingerprints, fibres and bloodstains.
Throughout the course, you’ll have opportunities to put your knowledge to the test in real-world practical sessions. You’ll work in our on-campus crime scene house, investigating mock incidents like burglaries, assaults, and even murders. Full-scale simulated investigations are a key part of the course, including scenarios where you'll excavate bodies, extract DNA, take part in virtual autopsies using our advanced digital anatomy simulations, and present expert witness testimonies in our mock courtroom.
You'll learn from industry experts who can draw on their own experiences and hear from guest speakers, such as crime scene investigators and digital crime experts, who demonstrate how class materials are applied in actual investigations. By working through real case studies and forensic scenarios, you'll gain a genuine understanding of the pivotal role forensic scientists play in criminal investigations.
When you join us, you’ll meet your friendly personal academic tutor who will typically remain with you throughout your degree. They’ll get to know your strengths and where you can develop, offering personalised support and feedback through the course.
Course content
You’ll study modules covering the core scientific knowledge and the critical skills and techniques needed for a career in forensic science. You’ll also carry out your own research project in your final year of study.
Our courses are informed by the latest research and developments in the field, as well as feedback from students and employers. Therefore, modules do occasionally change to keep the course up-to-date and relevant.
All modules are mandatory to ensure that you develop the critical skills needed as a forensic scientist.
Careers
Forensic science is a rapidly expanding field, with advances in technology significantly improving the accuracy of criminal investigations and growing the demand for skilled specialists in forensics.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have a solid understanding of the industry and possess the skills and experiences to get started in your career.
You could work as a:
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Police Officer
- Forensic Scientist
- Digital Investigator
- Detective
- Toxicologist
- Health and Safety Inspector
- Analytical Chemist
- Forensic Anthropologist
Course highlights
Teaching and Assessment
Our Forensic Science BSc has been designed by academics and industry specialists to prepare you for a career in forensic science. Teaching in a mix of interactive seminars, lectures, one-to-one tutorials, lab work, and practical skills sessions.
Evaluation is not all about written assignments and exams, you’ll also be assessed on your lab skills and through oral and poster presentations.
Teaching and assessment contents
You are taught through a combination of lectures, practical work, presentations, group tutorials, discussions, directed reading, and formative assessments. The course is very practical and offers you the opportunity to undertake an independent project in your third year. The emphasis on the development of 'hands-on' practical skills will provide you with useful skills for your future career.
In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least 4 occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.
Meet the team
Get to know a few of the School of Science and the Environment lecturers you'll be learning with.
Dr Mike Wheeler
Dr Mike Wheeler is Course Leader for Medical Sciences and joined the University of Worcester in 2010 after researching in the area of plant molecular genetics. Mike developed a strong background in the biology of cell signalling in plants, with specific research into the mechanisms of self-incompatibility in poppy and the control of polarity in pollen tubes of tobacco.
Kate Unwin
Kate has been a Forensic Biologist since February 2002 and has worked in this area and role since that time, first with the Forensic Science Service as a Reporting Officer and then with Cellmark Forensic Services (to date). She has worked on hundreds of criminal cases, including offences such as sexual offences, serious assaults, murder, burglary, fraud and hit and run. Throughout Kate's time as a Forensic Scientist she has examined evidence, both within a laboratory environment and at scenes of crimes. Kate has been classified as an expert witness and her areas of expertise include body fluid evidence, damage assessment and DNA profiling. Kate has given evidence in both Crown and Magistrates courts (her first court appearance being at the Old Bailey).
Keith Unwin
Keith first became a Forensic scientist in 2000, shortly after graduating with honours in Applied Biology from Newcastle University. Since that time Keith has worked for two of the largest Forensic providers in the country. During his time as a court going Reporting officer, Keith has been involved in many high profile investigation and scenes. He has also been involved in the training of Forensic scientists and police officers in areas of scene examination and court reporting. In 2011 Keith became a lecturer at the University of Worcester alongside his role as a Forensic scientist.
Joe Butler
Joe has worked in the forensic sector for over 7 years. He started his career looking at biological evidence types as an examiner working on many high profile cases. Joe used this experience for his final year project at the University of Worcester and to move laterally into working in the drugs department.
Within the drugs department, Joe was fast tracked to become a reporting officer writing evidential statements, as well as attending scenes and court. Joe now works in compliance to ensure policies are being carried out in the forensic sector. He has started his PhD focusing on DNA on drugs wrappings and paraphernalia.
Dr Mike Wheeler
Dr Mike Wheeler is Course Leader for Medical Sciences and joined the University of Worcester in 2010 after researching in the area of plant molecular genetics. Mike developed a strong background in the biology of cell signalling in plants, with specific research into the mechanisms of self-incompatibility in poppy and the control of polarity in pollen tubes of tobacco.
Kate Unwin
Kate has been a Forensic Biologist since February 2002 and has worked in this area and role since that time, first with the Forensic Science Service as a Reporting Officer and then with Cellmark Forensic Services (to date). She has worked on hundreds of criminal cases, including offences such as sexual offences, serious assaults, murder, burglary, fraud and hit and run. Throughout Kate's time as a Forensic Scientist she has examined evidence, both within a laboratory environment and at scenes of crimes. Kate has been classified as an expert witness and her areas of expertise include body fluid evidence, damage assessment and DNA profiling. Kate has given evidence in both Crown and Magistrates courts (her first court appearance being at the Old Bailey).
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 112
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | BBC |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DMM |
| T-level | Merit |
We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
The fees for 2026/27 are not yet confirmed. For 2025/26 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £9,535 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
The fees for 2026/27 are not yet confirmed.
For 2025/26 the standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £16,700 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Applications for 2026/27 will open in May.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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