Kingston University
Forensic Science BSc (Hons)
Kingston University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 20 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 Forensic and Archaeological Sciences.

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

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Forensic and Archaeological Sciences

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Forensic and Archaeological Sciences at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22500 £23000 £25500
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £24000 £17500 - £28500 £20500 - £30500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Forensic and Archaeological Sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22282 £22394 £25260
25-75 percentile range £19551 - £25388 £17766 - £26526 £20398 - £30716

Course Description

Reasons to choose Kingston

  • This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS).
  • Kingston is ranked No.9 in the UK overall for Forensic Science, with the second highest graduate outcomes nationally (Complete University Guide 2023).
  • We’ve received four commendations from the CSFS for our cutting-edge forensic technology and the innovative student training programmes.
  • Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.

About this course

This course prepares you for a career as a forensic scientist. Case studies, evidence interpretation, fieldwork and laboratory training cover all aspects of investigating a criminal offence. These include crime scene processing, forensic archaeology, drugs, toxicology, DNA profiling, body fluids, entomology, fibres, fire investigation and ballistics. You’ll also have an introduction to criminal law, which includes cross-examination in a Crown Court setting.

Specialist topics include blood pattern analysis (BPA), gunshot residue detection, counterfeits and forgeries, and the analysis of trace evidence. When you graduate you’ll be eligible to apply to be an Associate of the CSFS. In addition, this course also provides additional industry recognised certificates in BPA, forensic toxicology and DNA profiling at no extra cost.

Future Skills

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

Career opportunities

You’ll be prepared to work in a range of environments, including forensic laboratories, policing, analytical chemistry laboratories, hospitals and private consultancies.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.

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

20% Protective service occupations
20% Teaching Professionals
15% Managers, directors and senior officials
15% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
15% Welfare Professionals
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Elementary occupations
5% Welfare and housing 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.

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

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:

**

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, 2025

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 24 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.

List of 307 Bachelor and Master Courses from Kingston University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Kingston University

undergraduates:
12155
postgraduates:
4525
Total:
16680
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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