Perhaps you’ve always wondered what it would be like to get involved in a real crime-scene investigation. Or maybe you’re intrigued by how science can be applied to support the legal system. On this course accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, you’ll get the chance to see chemistry in action and build a broad range of skills that’ll stand you in good stead for a science-sector career.

• A key part of your time on the Chemistry with Forensic Science BSc(Hons) will be spent getting hands-on experience. We know employers are looking for graduates to hit the ground running when they start work, that’s why we’ve designed the course as much as possible around practical experiments.
• In our modern labs, you’ll get to grips with a whole range of instruments with the aim of becoming skilled in chemical and forensic analysis. Techniques you could have the chance to try out include spot tests for blood, drugs and firearm residues, identifying glass and paint fragments and examining microscopic hairs and fibres.
• Building on the solid foundations you’ll get from your Chemistry and Forensics modules, we’ll also give you the chance to spend a year in industry or research in Year 3. Not only is a placement year a golden opportunity to put your knowledge into practice, it could also help give that all important boost to your employability when you graduate.

Placements

In the third year of this course, you’ll get the chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world on an optional placement year working for an organisation related to your areas of interest. This is when you’ll really be able to see your knowledge in action, pick up invaluable skills for your future career and boost your employability to help you hit the ground running after graduation.

You could stay to do your placement in the UK or experience a new culture and work abroad for one year. Where could this year take you?

Previous students in the Forensic Science subject area have undertaken placements with IPOS, British Glass, Christeyns UK Ltd, Domino Printing Sciences, Thornton & Ross, West Yorkshire Analytical Services and Yorkshire & The Humber Scientific Support Service CCSI Unit.

Your Career

As a graduate of this course, you may consider a career in crime scene investigation, forensic pathology, toxicology, clothing damage analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic technology or forensic anthropology, as well as roles in chemistry and analytical chemistry within sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and drink manufacturers or health.

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area of Forensic Science have gone on to work in roles such as Scientific Officer at Citrefine International Ltd, Quality Control Analyst at Dechra Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing and Analyst at Covance Laboratories Inc.**

*Percentage of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 17/18, UK domiciled graduates.