Forensic Science Top-Up

We're holding online Q&A sessions with Forensic Science lecturers on Facebook throughout the summer. Check the schedule for the next session.

Why study with us?

Forensic science is intrinsically a multidisciplinary subject. The course covers the analytical knowledge and skills required by forensic scientists and crime scene investigators and emphasises the importance of chemistry and DNA-based technologies to modern forensic investigation, the legal framework in which such activities must take place, and the need for the proper collection, analysis, presentation and quality assurance of forensic evidence.

The course provides an intellectually challenging study of a full range of forensic applications and fulfils the growing demand for expertise in investigatory, enforcement and monitoring work. It will particularly appeal to those with an HND or foundation degree in forensic science (or an equivalent qualification) who wish to study for an honours degree.

Where will this course take place?

If you're starting in September 2013 you will spend time at both our Penrith and our Ambleside campus.

Each campus offers individual and distinctive advantages, providing easy access to the English Lake District with its unique geography. These exceptional locations in effect become your classroom.

What can this course lead to? As a graduate in forensic science, you will be ideally qualified to pursue a career in this field. Your experience and skills will also be relevant in the police, fire investigation, investigation of insurance claims, health and safety and trading standards. We give a lot of emphasis to the development of transferable skills, which prepares you for work in a variety of other scientific organisations. If you wish to continue studying, there will be opportunities to proceed to specialised postgraduate programmes. Resources and facilities

The programme is taught by both academic staff and industry practitioners with extensive teaching, research and professional expertise in this field. They bring together a wealth of knowledge and experience in forensic science and the criminal justice sector. Teaching staff are committed to providing high quality guidance and support, and are praised for their approachability. We also invite a number of guest speakers on the course.

Have a look at our learning resources for Forensic Science.

News

University students lead workshops to inspire scientists of the future
University of Cumbria students will be passing on their scientific expertise to children from eight local primary schools in a series of workshops at Energus.

Entry requirements Successful completion of a related foundation degree or HND.

Applicants from courses based at institutions other than University of Cumbria will be assessed on their suitability depending upon the modules they have studied.

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 240 credits UCAS code: F410 Selection criteria

HND or foundation degree in forensic science or equivalent in a relevant subject. Each subject will be considered on its merits by the course leader.

Costs

Click the links below to view information on your study type and residence status. If you are unsure of your status, please see the UKCISA website for more information.

Full-time students

Home

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £8,250 (including an automatic £750 fee discount).

As a full-time UK student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 per annum (if you're from England) or £15,795 (if you're from Scotland). You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan (up to £5,500) and a maintenance grant (up to £3,354). For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Full-time students may be eligible for one of 110 NSP awards for full-time students worth up to £6,000.

Cumbria Bursary

The Cumbria Bursary is an annual cash award of £1,000 for up to three years of study. There are 300 Cumbria Bursaries available in 2013.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £8,250 (including an automatic £750 fee discount).

As a full-time EU student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 per annum (or the equivalent in your country). For more information about student loans, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Full-time students may be eligible for one of 110 NSP awards for full-time students worth up to £6,000.

Cumbria Bursary

The Cumbria Bursary is an annual cash award of £1,000 for up to three years of study. There are 300 Cumbria Bursaries available in 2013.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

International

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £9,960.

Fees are billed annually and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. 75 percent of the annual tuition fees must be paid before or at registration. For students requiring a Tier 4 Student Visa, a deposit of £3,500 is expected as a minimum before a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will be issued. For more information, visit our international student finance page.

Early payment discount

If you are paying your own fees, you may be eligible for an early payment discount of £1,000. This discount is awarded to students who pay in full before registration.

International scholarship

If you are studying a full-time bachelor's degree (excluding teacher training and NHS-funded courses) or a top-up degree, you may be eligible for an international scholarship. The university has nine scholarships available. Find out more on our scholarships page.

Additional financial support

Our money doctors will be on hand throughout the year to help you manage your money while you’re in the UK. However, if you do happen to run into financial difficulty during your time here, you may be able to access a small emergency support fund.

Part-time students

Home

The tuition fee for students starting study in the 2013/14 academic year is £8,250 (including an automatic £750 fee discount). This fee is billed annually. For part-time students, the annual fee is calculated based on the number of years you take to complete your course. For example, a student studying part-time for six years may expect to pay £4,125 per year.

As a part-time UK student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning over £21,000 a year (if you're from England) or £15,795 (if you're from Scotland). For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Part-time students may be eligible for one of 40 NSP awards worth up to £3,000.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU

The tuition fee for students starting study in the 2013/14 academic year is £8,250 (including an automatic £750 fee discount). This fee is billed annually. For part-time students, the annual fee is calculated based on the number of years you take to complete your course. For example, a student studying part-time for six years may expect to pay £4,125 per year.

As a part-time EU student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning over £21,000 a year. For more information about student loans, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Part-time students may be eligible for one of 40 NSP awards worth up to £3,000.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Utilities trust

Additional contact information For more information visit our subject area. UCAS Link

Visit UCAS

Modules

For detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course (PDF).

Course summary

Drawing on the expertise of staff, modules include ‘Analysis of Forensic Evidence’, ‘Evidence, Procedures and Criminal Law’, ‘Advances in Forensic Chemistry’, ‘Biochemistry of Drugs and Toxic Chemicals’ and ‘Advanced Genetics’. The dissertation allows you to develop your own area of specialism, which is crucial in preparing for your next step towards a job or further study.

The course is taught via a combination of lectures and practical work, allowing you to use and understand the techniques used in the field of forensic science. This is backed up with seminars, presentations and case studies. Project work in the form of the dissertation features strongly.

Case studies

When Natalie Wilson talks of being involved in launching a new footwear department, she's not referring to the sale of products from Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik.

Natalie landed her dream job of forensic analyst with Cumbria Constabulary in March 2008 and is now involved in identifying footwear marks left at crime scenes. Natalie completed a FdSc Forensic Science programme at the Newton Rigg campus and then topped up to a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science. With plans to complete further modules of study in footwear analysis, her aim is to be classed as a specialist in the field.

"I also work with police intelligence systems, checking if any DNA hits from crime scenes have unidentified fingerprints and using coded footwear marks to link scenes and to identify possible suspects. Passing on intelligence relating to a crime to the investigating officers delivers a lot of job satisfaction."

View more graduate profiles

Ashleigh Hunt - Winner of the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award for Teaching and Support of Learning

Ash created “an innovative and exciting learning environment for students, transcending the conventions of classroom teaching by taking forensic science into the simulated environment of a major incident. The panel were impressed by her initiative and drive to create an enquiry-based learning approach that engages students from all three years of the programme in working together, and has received highly positive feedback from students and diverse partner stakeholders alike”.