Course detail
Start Date
SeptemberDuration
4 years (full-time)Award Title
BSc (Hons)UCAS Code
F410Why study Abertay's BSc (Hons) in Forensic Sciences?
Go beyond the police tape with this fascinating and highly-practical Forensic Sciences degree. Learn the techniques that underpin the recognition, identification, recovery, analysis and evaluation of information which can be used as evidence in a court of law.
Are you literate, numerate and analytical? Do you like to solve problems for fun? Are you naturally inquisitive with a passion for chemistry and biology? Put these traits to work during a Forensic Sciences degree that equips you with the knowledge required to help support the legal process.
It’s a hands-on degree, which allows you to analyse a variety of scenes in our purpose-built facilities, and learn the following physical and chemical analysis techniques in our state-of-the-art laboratories:
- Crime scene investigation
- Body fluid analysis
- DNA profiling
- Forensic chromatography and spectroscopy
- Fingerprinting
- Substances of abuse
This highly vocational programme is broken down into three main study areas – forensic science, chemistry and biology – and dovetails modules from the Division of Law to prepare you for a variety of workplace situations.
This course scored an amazing 90% for Overall Student Satisfaction in the 2020 National Student Survey (NSS). Abertay is widely regarded as THE place to come for high quality teaching. But don't take our word for it:
- Sunday Times UK University of the Year 2020 for Teaching Quality.
- Guardian University Guide 2020 Top 10 in the UK for Student Satisfaction with Teaching, Course and Feedback.
- National Student Survey 2020 Top 10 UK Universities for Student Satisfaction.
Always-On Online Open Day
We aim to immerse you in student life here at Abertay and give you a true feel for our courses and our amazing academic community.
Experience our Always-On Open Day anytime for a mix of:
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Subject and course presentations and videos.
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Campus tours, info on applying, funding, student support and accommodation.
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What the city of Dundee is like to live in.
Take time to soak it all in.
How the Course Works
Learning and Assessment
You’ll learn via traditional lectures and tutorials, student-led learning, interactive class sessions, practical work and a substantial element of laboratory work. We encourage you to be self-motivated and to study independently, which means you will take responsibility for your own learning.
Assessment is by a variety of methods, enabling you to demonstrate progress in different ways.
Coursework typically includes lab reports, essays and oral presentations.
Formal exams typically include questions that require either short answers or essays, coupled with problem-solving of forensic-related challenges.
In your final dissertation, you’re individually supported by an experienced research-active member of staff.
Year 1 is approximately 50% exam and 50% coursework.
Year 4 is approximately 80% exam in some instances. This does not include your final year project, which is coursework based.
Accreditation
Our Forensic Sciences degree is professionally accredited and commended by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSoFS), which means you’re eligible to apply for associate membership upon graduating. This programme is taught by practitioners who’ve come directly from the industry, as well as forensic researchers at the cutting edge of their fields.
Entry Requirements
Please note: All applicants must have a pass Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4. National 5 Lifeskill Maths not accepted in lieu of Maths.
Please visit our Entry from College pages for suitable College courses.
Republic of Ireland applicants, click on the UK tabs and scroll down to find your Entry Requirements.
See information about studying and applying to Abertay for International students.
| Qualification Type | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects |
| Higher (standard entry) | BBBB | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry. National 5 Chemistry (or equivalent) must be present for entry in the absence of Higher Chemistry. |
| Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below). | BBC | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at B |
| A-Level | CCC | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry |
| Irish Highers | H3H3H3H3 | To include Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry |
| International Baccalaureate | 28 Points | Biology or Human Biology or Physics or Chemistry at S5/H4 |
| BTEC Extended Diploma | MMM | Applied Science (all pathways) |
| AHEAD | Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme | |
| SWAP Access | BBB | Access to: Life Sciences, Health & Life Sciences, Science, Biological Sciences, Biological & Biomedical Sciences |
| Qualification Type | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects |
| Advanced Higher | BBB | To include Chemistry and Biology or Human Biology |
| A-Level | BBB | To include Chemistry and Biology or Human Biology |
| BTEC Extended Diploma | DDD | Applied Science |
| HNC/HND | - | Our Entry from College pages list approved HNC/HND courses |