Kingston University
Forensic Science BSc (Hons)
Kingston University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 25 graduates of Forensic Science BSc (Hons) at Kingston University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in .

Overall student satisfaction
78 /100
25 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of forensic and archaeological sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21025 £22394 £25260
25-75 percentile range £18043 - £24555 £17766 - £26526 £20398 - £30716

Course Description

Reasons to choose Kingston

  • This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences for the component standards in Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Evidence; Laboratory Analysis; and Crime Scene Investigation. When you graduate you’ll be eligible to apply to be an Associate of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

  • This course received 100 percent overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2020).

  • Kingston University is No.1 in London for Biosciences (Guardian League Table 2021).

  • We have cutting edge facilities in DNA analysis, archaeology, questioned documents, toxicology and drug confirmation. Equipment is based on what is used in real-life examinations. There is also a designated crime scene house.

About this course

How is scientific evidence gathered from a crime scene? How is it analysed and used in an investigation? How is it interpreted and presented in court?

This course prepares you for a career in this increasingly important area. Case studies, fieldwork and lab work cover all aspects of investigating a crime scene. These include crime scene processing, forensic archaeology, drugs, toxicology, DNA, body fluids, entomology, fibres, fire investigation and ballistics. You’ll also have an introduction to criminal law, which includes cross examination in a mock courtroom setting.

Specialist topics include blood pattern analysis (BPA), expert witness training, counterfeits and forgeries, and the analysis of trace evidence.

What You Will Learn

Programme content: As a student of Forensic Science, BSc (Hons) you will study the following course modules.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Forensic Science BSc (Hons) at Kingston University

15% Teaching Professionals
15% Sales occupations
15% Customer service occupations
5% Natural and social science professionals
5% Administrative occupations
5%
5% Finance Professionals
5% Quality and Regulatory Professionals
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals

Grading & Study Time

Teaching includes lectures, seminars, workshops and practicals using specialist teaching areas such as our scene-of-crime house, private bone collection and state of the art analytical laboratories. Forms of assessment include end-of-module exams, coursework exercises, laboratory reports, and presentations.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A-Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. General Studies not accepted.

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Two Science A2s, to include Biology and/or Chemistry, with minimum of grade C or above. Other Science subjects considered as second science include Physics and Mathematics

Can be considered in combination with other Level 3 qualifications e.g. A2's in different subjects.

Accepted Access to HE diplomas include: Science Applied Science; Biological and Health Science; Health and Human Science which must include Biology units Equivalent of 112 UCAS points to include a minimum grade of Merit in all Biology and Chemistry modules.

Equivalent of 112 UCAS points to include Chemistry and/or Biology, Physics or Mathematics at grade C.

To include a minimum of 5 in Higher Level Biology and/or Chemistry as well as 5 in Standard Level English and Maths

Accepted Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma or Diploma topics accepted as subject specific: Applied Biology, Applied Science, Applied Science [Forensic or Medical Science] which must include Biology and chemistry units (e.g. Biomedical Science pathway or Analytical and Forensic Science pathway)

Equivalent of 112 UCAS points to include Biology and/or Chemistry, Applied Science, Physics or Mathematics at a minimum of H3.

T Levels T Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other further education courses. T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher education and/or apprenticeships. Students who study T Level spend 80% of the course in the classroom, learning the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action. T Levels are the equivalent to three A levels and we recognise the UCAS tariff points they attract in line with other qualifications that aid progression to higher education.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 6.0
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Forensic Science, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Forensic Science BSc (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1

Additional fee information

For international fees, please visit:
https://www.kingston.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/fees/

Please visit the provider course webpage for further information regarding additional course costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2024

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Kingston University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 22 university rankings of Kingston University

About Kingston University

Founded in 1899, Kingston University is located in the suburban town of Kingston upon Thames, London. The university’s four campuses can be found in and around the town centre, with a free shuttle bus helping students to get there. This university offers what they call Flexi-stay accommodation, which allows students to book rooms in their residence halls for periods in which they expect to be studying exceptionally hard.

Student composition of Kingston University

Students by level of study Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022
undergraduates:
12150
postgraduates:
3740
Total:
15890
  • Kingston University - meet our international students!
  • What is Kingston University really like? | Student Q&A
  • Kingston alumna Parinita talks about student life at Kingston University
  • International Student Vlogger: Experiences at Kingston University
  • International Student Vlogger: Why I chose Kingston University

Where is this programme taught

Kingston University
map marker Show on map
Main Site - Yorkon Building
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Forensic Science BSc (Hons) University of Lincoln 84% 5% 1% £9250 £15900 133 Lincoln On campus Full-time
Forensic Science (with integrated foundation year) BSc (Hons) University of Cumbria 72% 0% 10% £6000 £7500 102 Carlisle On campus Full-time
Forensic Science and Criminology BSc (Hons) University of Bedfordshire 85% 0% 15% £9250 £13200 100 Luton On campus Full-time
Forensic & Medical Sciences BSc (Hons) University of Bradford 70% 0% 22% £9250 £9250 £20118 £21124 134 Bradford On campus Full-time
Chemistry and Forensic Science BSc (Hons) University of Keele 83% 0% 4% £9250 £17000 119 Newcastle under Lyme On campus Full-time
Forensic Science and Physics BSc (Hons) University of Keele 96% 10% 5% £9250 £17000 111 Newcastle under Lyme On campus Full-time
Archaeology with Forensic Science with Employment Experience BSc (Hons) University of Exeter 91% 0% 5% £9250 £20000 138 Exeter On campus Full-time
Archaeology with Forensic Science with Study Abroad BSc (Hons) University of Exeter 91% 0% 5% £9250 £20000 138 Exeter On campus Full-time
Biology and Forensic Science BSc (Hons) University of Keele 74% 5% 15% £9250 £17000 116 Newcastle under Lyme On campus Full-time
Forensic Science and Criminology BSc (Hons) University of Keele 76% 5% 10% £9250 £16000 129 Newcastle under Lyme On campus Full-time