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.
Going to university can offer you a series of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. As part of your course, you could study abroad with one of our short-term Global Experience programmes. Opportunities include summer schools and placements, lasting from one to four weeks and funded by ARU’s UK Turing Scheme grants.
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
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.
As well as our employer-led Live Briefs projects, in the second year of your BSc (Hons) Forensic Science degree, you can apply to volunteer with Locate International's Cold Case Unit. Here, you can expect to gain valuable workplace experience and develop a range of transferrable skills.
Recent graduates have found work in a variety of settings, including:
local police forces
laboratories at companies such as LGC, Chemtest, Treatt, Anglian Water and Cellmark
Counter-terrorism police
National Crime Agency
Royal Air Force
Ministry of Defence
Prison and probation services
NHS
We want you to be a step ahead when you graduate, so we offer:
We’re here to help you develop your CV and find that all-important role after graduation. Our Employability Service offers tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, help to complete job applications, and much more. You’ll have 24/7 access to an online Careers Centre too, which is packed with useful resources.
The support continues after you graduate, with lifelong access to our Alumni Career Centre.
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.
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.
A foundation year prepares you for the rest of your course, and focuses on general skills such as researching and referencing, numeracy and ICT, and communication. We'll also start to look at some more subject-specific topics.
Your placement year is a chance to put everything you’ve learnt in Years 1 and 2 into practice. Spend typically 9-12 months working for an organisation, developing your skills and gaining valuable work experience. Our Placements Team is here to help you secure a placement.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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.
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.
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.
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.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
This course includes an optional placement year. The placement year fee is:
£1,500 (2025-26)
£1,700 (2026-27)
You will be responsible for covering the cost of travelling to your placement during your placement year. This cost could vary significantly depending on where your placement is located, where you live during your course and how you travel.
SD memory card - £8
Fine-tipped permanent marker pens - £3
Cost of printing dissertation/individual project.
CD/memory stick for dissertation submission.
Cost of printing A1 poster for dissertation - £15
Scientific Calculator.
Living at university
We understand that affordability is an important issue when you’re thinking about studying at university.
The overall cost of university can vary depending on where you’re studying and which course you’re taking.
Costs may also be lower if you're living at home. However, some of the main costs you’ll want to think about include:
accommodation
bills
internet, mobile phone and calls
travel
food and drink
socialising and going out
study materials.
Most full-time UK students can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help cover living costs. More about maintenance loans.
Our Money Advice Service is on hand if you’d like to chat about living costs, budgets and managing your money. You can also find out more about student finance at one of our Open Days.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, which provide extra financial support while you’re at university.
If you're eligible for a scholarship, you'll generally receive it automatically – there's no need to apply.
Our campus employment bureau, ARU Temps, can help you find part-time work that fits around your studies. It's a great chance to enhance your CV and boost your income while you study.
Dr Samantha Tipper
Dr Agatha Grela
Dr Risha Jasmine Nathan
Dr Pet-Paul Wepeba
Dr Lata Gautam
Dr Leesa Ferguson