A person in a hazmat suit in a dark room shining a special torch on the wall

BSc (Hons) Available in Clearing

Forensic Science

Explore how to collect, analyse and interpret chemical and biological evidence from crime scenes and how to present your findings in court.

Start date: September 2025; January 2026
Location: Cambridge
Duration: 3 years
UCAS course code: F411

Start date: September 2025; January 2026
Location: Cambridge
Duration: 4 years with foundation
UCAS course code: F41F

Start date: September 2025; January 2026
Location: Cambridge
Duration: 4 years with placement
UCAS course code: F41S

Top 10%

of universities in the country for graduates who agree their current activity is 'meaningful'.

Source: GOS 2025

From day one you will be learning all about forensic science in facilities including a SuperLab and authentic crime scene rooms. You’ll discover how to collect, analyse, and interpret chemical and biological evidence from crime scenes, and present your findings in our on-site courtroom.

You’ll be taught by subject experts, hear from a fantastic range of guest speakers, and join field trips including visiting the mortuary at ARU’s School of Medicine.

We also run live brief assessments, which are designed and developed with local police forces and forensic science organisations, giving you invaluable exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.

Get a sneak preview: try your hand at online quizzes, solve a crime and hear about our latest research.

Get an international experience

Accreditation Studying this accredited course qualifies you to become a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Learn more about this course with Course Leader Dr Sam Tipper

Why ARU?

Study on a course that’s accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
Benefit from our staff’s expertise in analytical chemistry, forensic anthropology, toxicology, forensic genetics and crime scene examination
Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; take on real-world challenges and present modern solutions that directly impact and benefit prospective employers
Get hands-on in our crime scene rooms, 200-seater SuperLab, and mock court room
Prepare for work in law enforcement, forensic science, and elsewhere in the scientific sector

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

As a forensic science graduate you’ll be ready to work in a range of careers including laboratory analysis, quality control analysis, crime scene investigation and policing.

In fact, having gained a number of transferable skills, you’ll find you can explore roles in broader scientific and analytical-based jobs. Or you can consider a career in areas such as research, teaching or further education.

Alternatively you might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MSc Forensic Science. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Where have other Forensic Science students found work experience?

Where have other Forensic Science graduates worked?

How can ARU help with my employability and career development?

Teaching and modules

Forensics student wearing protective clothing and gloves

I enjoy the wide variety of lectures, practicals, seminars and tutorials which enable me to explore my particular areas of interest, while also knowing that I am receiving a fully rounded education. The lecturers are enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable and put the wellbeing of their students as a priority.

BSc (Hons) Forensic Science student

We’ll start by introducing you to the fundamentals of crime scene management and forensic analysis, the biological and chemical principles that underpin forensic science, and the UK law and legal systems.

In years 2 and 3, we’ll drill down into the investigation of specific types of evidence and crime, encompassing death, fire, drugs, and poisons. You’ll also learn how to present your findings in court as an expert witness.

Finally, you’ll complete an independent research project – an opportunity to explore a relevant topic of your choice and demonstrate everything you’ve learned.

Student experience

Forensic Science graduate Harry reflects on their university journey and offers advice for future students.
Analyse - explore chemical forensics and 'everyday' evidence in our dedicated labs. Take a virtual tour of our Forensic Science degree.
Identify - apply your knowledge of biology to forensic casework.
Investigate - collect and analyse evidence from authentic crime scene rooms.
Collaborate - work with Cambridgeshire Police or a forensic laboratory on your dissertation.
Study - learn in our £45m Science Centre in the heart of Cambridge. Discover our Science Centre.

What will I study?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1

United Kingdom Legal Systems and Law for Forensic Scientists (15 credits)
Applied Science for Forensic Investigators (30 credits)
Introduction to Forensic Photography and Methodologies (30 credits)
Professional and Personal Development - Level 4
Physical and Quantitative Chemistry for Analytical Scientists (15 credits)
Biological and Trace Evidence Analysis (30 credits)
Group Tutorial
Into ARU

Year 2

Introduction to Forensic Genetics (15 credits)
Forensic Scene Examination (15 credits)
Forensic Spectroscopy Techniques (15 credits)
Forensic Analytical Chemistry (30 credits)
Professional and Personal Development - Level 5
Forensic Biology (15 credits)
Project Preparation (15 credits)
Group Tutorial
Ruskin Module (15 credits)

Year 3

Forensic Analysis of Drugs and Poisons (15 credits)
Forensic Pathology (15 credits)
Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)
Advanced Forensic Methodologies (30 credits)
Group Tutorial
Advanced Fire and Explosion Investigation (15 credits) *
Advanced Forensic Genetics (15 credits) *
Forensic Anthropology (15 credits) *

Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
Information and Communication Technology
Critical Thinking
Maths for Scientists
Cellular Biology
Biology: Physiology
Chemistry
Physics for Life Sciences

Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year

Work Placement Life Science

Module details

What happens on a foundation year?

What happens on a placement year?

Who teaches Forensic Science at ARU?

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Dr Samantha Tipper
Senior Lecturer
Dr Agatha Grela
Senior Lecturer in Forensic Chemistry
Dr Risha Jasmine Nathan
Senior Lecturer
Dr Pet-Paul Wepeba
Lecturer
Dr Lata Gautam
Associate Professor
Dr Leesa Ferguson
Senior Lecturer

Facilities

You’ll be based in our Science Centre in Cambridge, which features authentic crime scene rooms; our forensic anthropology collection specialist chromatography and spectroscopy equipment; a range of biological analysis instruments; and comparison, polarising light and confocal microscopes.

Our expert technicians will be on hand to help you get to grips with the equipment and perfect your techniques.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

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Entry requirements

UK students

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.

Main

5 GCSEs at grade D, or grade 3, or above and evidence of two years post-GCSE study at Level 3.

If you have achieved at least grade E in one A level, or equivalent, you are exempt from the two years post-GCSE study requirement, but you still must meet the GCSE requirements.

Applicants who do not meet the two years post GCSE study at level 3 may be considered based on their satisfactory employment history, which must be a minimum of two years full time employment supported by employer evidence and deemed appropriate by the University for meeting the course of study applied for.

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 5.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

International students

English language requirements

Contextual offers

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Fees and funding

UK students

£9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

If you start a course on or after 1 August 2023, you won't repay anything until you earn more than £25,000. This is called repayment Plan 5. At this point, you'll repay 9% on everything you earn over £25,000. After 40 years (from the April after graduation), all remaining debt is wiped.

If you started a course on or before 31 July 2023, you won't repay anything until you earn more than £27,295. This is called repayment Plan 2. At this point, you'll repay 9% on everything you earn over £27,295. After 30 years (from the April after graduation), all remaining debt is wiped.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

International students

£17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

£17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

£17,500 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments. We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter

Find out about paying your fees.

Placement year fee

Additional course costs

Living costs

Bursaries, sponsorship and working

Apply for Forensic Science

Clearing places available

UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start

Apply through Clearing

Apply by phone

UK students, call our Clearing line

01245 686868

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

Apply through UCAS

International students

Apply direct

Apply online

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Forensic Science

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

Careers

Teaching and modules

Student experience

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

Facilities

Entry requirements

BSc (Hons)

Important additional notes

With foundation year

With placement

Important additional notes

International students

English language requirements

Fees and funding

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

With placement

Apply for Forensic Science

Clearing places available

Apply by phone

01245 686868

UK students

International students

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