Are you interested in working at the forefront of crime science investigation and as important part of the criminal justice system? Are you excited by the idea of investigating crime scenes using the latest technology and techniques? Do you want to play a crucial role in helping the criminal courts reach their verdict on the guilt of a defendant? Our Forensic Science degree provides you with the theory and practical experience you need to succeed.
Learn how to correctly analyse a crime scene and interpret the evidence in dedicated labs using specialist equipment, taught by academic experts from a wide range of forensic science disciplines. You’ll have the opportunity to see how these are applied in the real world with enrichment activities and trips focusing on forensic entomology, bone analysis, how fire behaves, and more. Plus, you’ll be able to flex the skills you’ve developed at our crime scene flat, where you’ll gather evidence across a variety of crime scenes in a realistic environment.
Watch the video below to see Forensic Science students witnessing a flashover, caused by mixing hot fat with water, on a visit to a fire ground organised by Fire Investigation Consultants Prometheus.
ModeFull-time | Duration3 years | Start dateSeptember | Application codeF410 | Application method UCAS |
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Need further information? Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.
112 UCAS points
Or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
If you do not meet the entry criteria above we also review any previous skills, knowledge or experience you have gained outside of your education and are happy to talk through any extenuating circumstances you feel relevant.
Visit UCAS for guidance on the tariff.
Select country here:
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.
£9535
Tuition fees for home students
£15500
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
UK fee: £9535 | International fee: £15500 |
AOS/LSBU code: 1163 | Session code: 1FS00 |
Total course fee:
* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees. |
UK: £28605 |
International: £46500 |
UK fee: £9535 | International fee: £15500 |
AOS/LSBU code: 1163 | Session code: 2FS00 |
Total course fee:
* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees. |
UK: £28605 |
International: £46500 |
UK fee: £9535 | International fee: £15500 |
AOS/LSBU code: 1163 | Session code: 3FS00 |
Total course fee:
* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees. |
UK: £28605 |
International: £46500 |
The individual Tuition Fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.
We offer students considerable financial help through scholarships, bursaries, charitable funds, loans and other financial support. The majority of our scholarships are given as direct Tuition Fee discounts and we encourage all eligible students to apply for our National Scholarship Programme (NSP). The NSP features 100 full scholarships that exempt students from all Tuition Fees, and there are many more partial scholarships. Find out more about scholarships and fee discounts for undergraduate students.
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
Mode Full-time | Duration 3 years | Start date September | Application code F410 | Application method UCAS |
Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.
Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.
Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.
After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course.
Forensic science is the application of scientific techniques to crime investigation with the presentation of evidence in a court of law. This course covers:
The art of delivering and communicating your results as a forensic expert is developed by mock courtroom sessions during the course.
At LSBU we offer our students the opportunity to gain practical experience of undertaking forensic investigations in our well-equipped laboratories. The facilities we have to offer include liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), glass refractive index measuring system (GRIM-3), and DNA extraction and analysis facilities. You will have access to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). We also have a Crime Scene Flat which we use to demonstrate various practical aspects of forensic science.
Check out our facilities by watching the video below:
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Forensic science is used to settle an increasing number of criminal cases – making sure law courts have accurate information to determine an outcome of guilty or not guilty. Forensic scientists use a combination of biological, chemical, physical and mathematical methods to obtain and analyse evidence from a variety of sources. These include: blood and other body fluids, hair, textile fibres, glass fragments and finger, footwear and tyre marks.
Many independent forensic laboratories provide services to the criminal justice system. At LSBU, we offer a whole range of transferable skills to enable careers in forensics and other scientific disciplines.
Scientific journalism, the pharmaceutical industry, environmental monitoring, laboratory-based employment and accident investigation are all popular destinations for forensic science graduates.
You will be prepared for further education and employment through awareness of occupations and Interaction with industry representatives
There are three main areas of forensic science: Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory analysis and the Interpretation of scientific data and its presentation in court. Some roles include an aspect of all three. You can expect many hours of work, demanding strong levels of concentration, attention to detail and a methodical approach.
Forensic scientists collect and record evidence from places of interest such as crime scenes, then analyse samples using various laboratory techniques. Some forensic scientists work in-house with the police force, however many are now employed by the private sector or Government laboratories.
Some careers (such as scientific journalism) are unlikely to require further education, although employers will look for relevant experience which can help you stand out from the crowd. Other career options however, such as a toxicologist, will require further training.
Many of our students progress to Masters level courses and some continue on to PhD level. Nearly all our students tend to choose London-based Masters courses based at University College London, Kings College London and Queen Mary University of London in subjects including digital crime and security, forensic toxicology, chemical analysis, forensic anthropology.
After a few years' experience forensic scientists can be called to court as a reporting officer. This means you need to concisely and confidently explain to the court what you have found. Salaries after three years' experience are usually around £25,000-£30,000, with senior roles paying around £50,000 (Prospects).
Recent graduates from this course have gone onto roles with employers such as the emergency services, government agencies, medical laboratories and pharmaceutical companies.
This is the first undergraduate forensic science course in London to have gained professional accreditation from The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS). We also work closely with the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and various forensic science providers.
We have recently held guest lectures by representatives from:
We have recorded all the experiments and practical activities, for instances when students can’t attend campus. Take a look at two examples experiments, the first is a ninhydrin development method to uncover finger marks on paper, and the second provides an overview of fluorescence methods used to search for evidence at a crime scene.
Time spent in lectures, seminars and lab-based study | Self-directed learning | |
---|---|---|
Year 1 | 32% | 68% |
Year 2 | 34% | 66% |
Year 3 | 28% | 72% |
As an undergraduate Applied Sciences student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU. The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.
Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.
Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.
You will have appointments with your personal tutor twice a semester for 15 minutes to one hour throughout your course. Office drop in times will be made available and you can contact your tutor for additional support by email.
Assessment methods are specified in each module guide. Surface learning is assessed formally by both seen and unseen examinations. Deep learning is examined using various coursework pieces, including case studies, essays and case file preparations. Practical skills are examined in the laboratory environment in terms of the quality of your measurements. You will also undergo courtroom examinations and project presentations and vivas, which will examine your ability to process your knowledge under pressure and communicate to different audiences.
For More Information:
Please contact the Course Leader: Dr. Clive Steele, email:steelech@lsbu.ac.uk