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This course combines the rich diverse study of biology and the living world, with the forensic challenge of using scientific analysis to investigate legal cases.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
UCAS codes
CF94
Start date
September 2024
January 2025 - condensed
This combination of subjects provides a broad perspective that is very appealing to employers.
Graduates are able to tackle challenges like the spread of infectious diseases and developing new treatments, and also practical problem-solving skills to analyse evidence from crime scenes.
Course aims:
The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
for graduate prospects (on track) in Forensic Science
The Complete University Guide 2023
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
This course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) for the 2024/25 intake. This means that when you graduate you may be eligible to apply for professional registration with the RSB and then as a Registered Scientist (RSci) with The Science Council to receive accreditation1 (additional costs may apply).
With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
The teaching and learning strategy integrates underpinning theoretical principles with the development of practical and professional competencies. The teaching and learning approaches include:
Assessments aim to be authentic, inclusive and varied to promote learning. Formative and summative assessments provide you with feedback to ensure that you are supported in your learning. A blended teaching and learning approach including asynchronous materials, online synchronous and face-to-face sessions will be delivered via the virtual learning environment (currently Aula), including short, pre-recorded videos, suggested reading and links to Talis/Bibliu, YouTube videos, quizzes and activities. Staff also use interactive approaches such as Learning science, 3D modelling and printing and extended reality technologies (e.g. augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR)) to increase student engagement during sessions.
If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.
Depending on the year of study you will typically have between 9-18 hours of structured weekly teaching and learning hours which may include activities such as workshops, laboratories, online tutorials, seminars and lectures. This will be supported by a weekly course programme hour with your tutors. In addition, you will be expected to undertake around 18 hours of self-directed study each week.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Previous students in our department have been successful in securing places to study in Spain, France, Canada and the US.
The Biological and Forensic Sciences course attracts many international students, providing a diverse learning experience. This enhances the discussion of issues such as genetic inheritance, criminal justice and biomedical interventions and provides all students with a global perspective of developments in both human biology and forensic science.
Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed2.
Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.
Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
2024/25 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,250 per year | Not available |
EU | £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary** £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | £18,300 per year | Not available |
If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our undergraduate finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
If you choose to start this degree in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.
If you start the degree in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
This course is taught at the Coventry University main campus and you will benefit from its state-of-the-art SuperLab+ where students learn to carry out a wide range of experimental techniques using the same equipment found in hospital, commercial, police and research laboratories4.
Immersive crime scene simulation houses, outdoor search and decomposition facilities.
The Alison Gingell building contains a state-of-the-art SuperLab. The lab's facilities include equipment for microscopy, DNA analysis and forensic testing.
The Analytical Chemistry Suite is a dedicated space for chemistry-based teaching. Students can complete ‘wet’ chemistry and preparatory work, complemented by a comprehensive suite of analytical equipment which includes ICP-OES, uHPLC, HPLC, Fluorescence Spectrometers, UV Spectrometers, GC, and GC-MS.
Highly multidisciplinary in its approach, the course brings together a wide range of key subjects. In biology, the course explores areas like biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, immunology, human physiology, and microbiology. Forensic science topics covered include blood spatter, fingerprints, toxicology, anthropology and taphonomy. This combination of the two subjects is unique in the field and gives our graduates a broad perspective that is very appealing to employers.
Graduates also gain hands-on experience of DNA profiling, as well as the digital fluency with databases and bioinformatics that underpins both areas of science. Students graduate with the knowledge to tackle challenges such as stopping the spread of disease, improving public health, as well as the practical skills and abilities to analyse, interpret and present evidence. This side specialism in forensic sciences also provides excellent tangible evidence of problem-solving, critical thinking, anti-contamination technique, good record-keeping, teamwork, interpersonal skills and professionalism.
Our students are equipped to pursue a wide range of careers. The extensive biology content supports employment in biological research and industry, including pharmaceutical, microbiology or food quality-testing laboratories, as well as medical and scientific equipment sales. The forensic science elements further broaden employment options, to include DNA analyst, DNA reporting officer and forensic scientist jobs. The multidisciplinary course prepares graduates for a wide range of careers, such as data analysis, scientific writing and teaching roles.
Our graduates have gone on to work in places such as Cellmark, Key Forensics, West Midlands Police and Metropolitan Police.
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
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International codes:
HLSU248
For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form