| University | Anglia Ruskin University |
| Duration | 12 to 30 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £8,000; Overseas: £12,500 |
| Program link |
Program information
This course is heavily biased towards analytical science in the broadest sense, reflecting the requirements of employers in forensics and the wider science and technology field. It will enable you to develop a range of analytical skills developed in a forensic environment, and will offer you a strong grounding in the design and implementation of research programmes. The core courses are:
– Evidence Collection and Management
– Mastering Forensic Analysis
– Mastering Forensic Evidence
– Masters Research Project
– Research Methods and Preparation
– Specialised Topics (15 credits)
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Other useful information
This course is suitable for candidates who wish to specialise in Forensic Science as a progression from their first degree in forensic science and for candidates coming into Forensic Science with a strong background in traditional analytical science. This course is accredited by The Forensic Science Society.
| University | King’s College London |
| Duration | 12 to 30 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU £10,500; Overseas: £19,570; |
| Program link |
Program information
Forensic science covers a wide range of disciplines, most of which are based on chemistry and biology. As their careers progress, forensic scientists often develop specialisms but a broad knowledge of forensic science is a prerequisite. The core programme content is:
– Drugs & Toxicology
– Forensic Biology
– Forensic Process
– Forensic Project
– Principles Of Forensic Science
Other useful information
Accreditation by Forensic Science Society accredited course, taught modules cover: Separation science, DNA profiling, population genetics, trace evidence analysis, court procedures, drugs and toxicology etc. Plus 14 week (or 28-week extended) research project in a forensic (or related) laboratory, in the UK, the EU or further afield.
| University | University of Derby |
| Duration | Full time 12 months; Part time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU students £495 per module (you usually take 9 of these modules in total). International students: £10,955 |
| Program link |
Program information
The modules are:
– research skills
– research methods
– essential skills for scientists
– independent research
Other useful information
The program is designed a mixture of taught face to face and online. The Research Skills and Research Methods modules are both offered online with regular drop in sessions.
| University | University of Kent |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £5,100; Overseas: £14865 |
| Program link |
Program information
The University has really good facilities for studying forensic science: NMR spectrometers (including solutions at 600 MHz), several infrared and uvvisible spectrometers, a Raman spectrometer, two powder X-ray diffractometers, X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption in flame and graphite furnace mode, gel-permeation chromatography, gaschromatography, analytical and preparative highperformance liquid chromatography (including GC-MS and HPLC-MS), mass spectrometry (electrospray and MALDI), scanning electron microscopy and EDX, various microscopes (including hot-stage), differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis, dionex analysis of anions and automated CHN analysis. Don’t know what these are about? Don’t worry, you’ll find out.
The core courses are:
– Forensic DNA Analysis I
– Fires and Explosions
– Physical Science Research Planning
– Substances of Abuse
– Incident Management
– Advanced Forensic Project Laboratory
– MSc Research Project
Other useful information
This educational program scored highly in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, with 25% of the research being ranked as “world-leading” and the Functional Materials Research Group ranked 2nd nationally in the Metallurgy and Materials discipline.
| University | University of Leicester |
| Duration | 24 to 27 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £8,000; Overseas: £12,500 |
| Program link |
Program information
The Alec Jeffreys Forensic Science Institute is a multidisciplinary research and teaching centre. The possibility to study is either by choosing the general MSc or opting for one of the specialized routes: Physical Evidence, Biological Evidence or Human Remains.
The first year has 4 modules:
– Crime Scene Examination
– Trace Evidence Analysis
– Evidential Value and Interpretation
– Research Methods
Meanwhile, in the second year, you get to choose from the following electives:
– Arson investigation
– Forensic Engineering
– Introduction to Forensic Archaeology
– Introduction to Forensic Anthropology
– Crime scene management
– Intelligence gathering and data mining of police data
– Weapons of mass destruction
– Blood Distribution and Spatter
– Environmental Forensics
Other useful information
The first year comprises four compulsory 15 credit modules, the second year comprises elective modules. The students will be able to select the modules from a wide list offered by the Universities of Leicester, Florida and Canberra.
| University | University College London |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU: £ 10,450; Overseas: £21,700 |
| Program link |
Program information
It is a new multidisciplinary programme with modules provided by departments across UCL including Security and Crime Science, Psychology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Biosciences, Management Science and Innovation, Archaeology and Laws. The core modules include:
Quanitative Methods
Designing and Doing Research
Interpretation of Forensic Evidence
Foundations of Security and Crime Science
Judges, Courts and Judicial Decision Making
Other useful information
The only UK postgraduate programme to offer a module delivered in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Crime Academy (the academy that trains forensic practitioners for the UK’s largest policing organisation). Here is the .
| University | University of South Wales |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Type | Full time, Part Time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU: £ 5496 |
| Program link |
Program information
The core courses are:
Advanced DNA Analysis and Interpretation
Advanced Separation Science
Advanced Analytical and Forensic Toxicology
Legal Aspects and the Expert Witness for Forensic Scientists
Techniques and Technologies for Forensic Investigation
Evaluation, Interpretation and Presentation of Data and Evidence
Project Design and Management
Major Laboratory Research Project
Other useful information
Students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement with Synergy Health Laboratories where they will undertake laboratory training in a UKAS accredited facility.
| University | Northrumbria University |
| Duration | Full time 12 months; Part time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK: £ 4,632; EU: £ 5,450; Overseas: £ 11,500 |
| Program link |
Program information
Assessment of the modules is varied and will utilise formal examinations, reports of laboratory investigations, written and oral presentations and viva voce exams, case studies and portfolios, observational assessment and pc based methodologies. The core modules include:
– Subject Exploration
– Graduate Science Research Methods
– Forensic Identification
– MSc Project
– Critical Processes in Forensic Science
– Forensic Toxicology & Drugs of Abuse
– Chemical Criminalistics
Other useful information
Careers may include entry into the Analytical Sciences or for those who wish to pursue further studies in the subject area, for example at PhD level. Direct entry into the Forensic Science Sector (with specialism in either Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Biology) is possible although places are limited.
| University | Staffordshire University |
| Duration | Full time 12 months; Part time 36 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £28 per credit; Overseas: £35 per credit. 120 credits needed, more optional |
| Program link |
Program information
The program includes eight modules incorporating those of the certificate, normally over one or two years. Modules may also be studied on an individual basis. The emphasis of the master is upon accuracy, accountability and thoroughness, with the ultimate aim of providing results for use by a court of law. The students will learn about and put into practice a whole host of techniques from the interpretation of bloodsplatter evidence to the analysis of illicit drugs, and from DNA fingerprinting to crime scene documentation and management.
Other useful information
There is no formal induction session but any students are welcome to visit and look around the department and view the facilities.
| University | University of Lincoln |
| Duration | 12 to 36 months |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £4,211; Overseas: £13,871 |
| Program link |
Program information
The core courses of the programme are:
– Drug Analysis
– Ignitable Liquid and Fuel Analysis
– Explosives Analysis
– DNA fingerprinting
– Fingerprinting science
– Dye and pigment analysis
– Forensic anthropology
– Spectroscopic techniques
– Surface analysis
– Mechanical properties of biological materials.
Other useful information
The group works very closely on projects with a range of forensic science providers including forensic laboratories and companies offering forensic services, police crime scene personnel, and instrument/equipment suppliers, both in the UK and overseas.
| University | Cranfield University |
| Duration | 12 to 30 months |
| Type | Full time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- £ 6,950; Overseas: £13,500 |
| Program link |
Program information
The emphasis of this course is on the application of engineering and the physical sciences to forensic problems. The course is highly practical and hands-on, aiming to produce forensic experts capable of giving an expert opinion in a courtroom situation and elsewhere. Core modules are:
Investigation and Evidence Collection
Reasoning for Forensic Science
Analytical Techniques
Courtroom Skills
Failure Analysis of Components
Trace Evidence
Fires, Explosions and their Investigation
Introduction to Firearms Investigations and Forensic Ballistics
Other useful information: The accreditation of the Master is offered by Forensic Science Society. The course has access to large, secure grounds in which covert burials and mass grave exercises are carried out. The experimental archaeology facilities are also excellent, as are live firing ranges and explosive ranges that can be used to replicate the effect of the trauma caused by these weapons on flesh and bone. All students, regardless of their specialization, have the chance to participate in a conventional archaeological excavation run by the course.
| University | University of Huddersfield |
| Duration | Full time 12 months; Part time up to 5 years |
| Type | Full time / Part time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU: £6,130 |
| Program link |
Program information
The course is designed to train you in the scientific methodology relating to forensic toxicology and extend your interest and knowledge in all areas of the subject. Areas of focus are: DNA profiling, body fluids, forensic toxicology, fingerprint development, forensic entomology, and forensic anthropology. The university also boasts impressive facilities. Core modules are:
– Crime Scene Science Awareness
– Forensic Biology Awareness
– Forensic Chemistry Awareness
– Quality and Presentation of Evidence
– Operational Forensic toxicology Placement
Other useful information
Research projects on a range of subjects including: sensor development, drug analysis, design of novel drug formulations and delivery methods, thermal degradation of novel drug formulations, bioremediation, characterisation of therapeutic polysaccharides, application of polysaccharides in waste water treatment, firearms and DNA recovery.
| University | University of West of England, Bristol |
| Duration | Full time 12 months; Part time 24 months |
| Type | Full time / Part Time |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU: £5,150; |
| Program link |
Program information
This postgraduate course in forensic science offers modules in all three key areas of forensic science i.e. biology, chemistry and crime scene science and also a module covering more advanced aspects of research and statistics as well as conducting a research project, either based at the university or on placement with one of the forensic providers. All students study the core modules:
– Advanced Crime Scene Science
– Forensic Biology and Genetics
– Forensic Analysis and Toxicology
– Research Methods
Other useful information
A research project is undertaken for the award of MSc. Part-time students perform the research project over two terms of the second year in the laboratory at their place of work. Full-time students carry out the project under the supervision of specialist subject tutors either at the University or on placement with one of the forensic providers. Students will follow evidence from the crime scene, through laboratory examination and analysis to writing a report for court and giving evidence in a courtroom situation with examination-in-chief and cross examination.
| University | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Duration | 12 to 30 months |
| Type | Full time 12 months; Part time 24 months |
| Tuition and fees | UK/EU- UK/EU: £6,000; Overseas: £ 11,500 |
| Program link |
Program information
All the core science learning is studied in context, so that its relevance to forensic work is clear. The courses include sections on physical and chemical methods for those considering a career in forensic chemistry and DNA for those interested in forensic biology. The core modules of the specialization are:
– Legal Methodology
– Criminal Litigation
– Law of Evidence
– Scenes of Crime Techniques
– DNA in Forensic Science
– Drugs of Abuse
– Fire, Firearms and Explosives
– Research Project
Other useful information
You require a strong science degree to apply for this course. You will study both science and the law to prepare for a career in the specialism and then gain significant laboratory experience including an individual research project. In the law modules you work with students from other courses in the forensic masters programme. This enables you to see the legal side from the point of view of several specialist professions, which all have to collaborate effectively in forensic work.
