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Forensic investigation is an exciting and challenging area of study, which involves an understanding of investigative techniques including the interpretation and presentation of evidence.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
UCAS codes
F410
Start date
September 2024
The course provides the breadth of skills and techniques which could enable you to pursue diverse careers including those in fraud management, digital forensics, social media and other investigatory roles.
The course benefits from:
I am forever grateful that I picked forensic investigations as I have felt part of one big family since the get go, the experiences and the memories I will not forget and are once in a lifetime. I have enjoyed this course so much I have decided to stay for a master’s at Coventry!
Teresa Crabtree, Forensic Investigations BSc (Hons), current student, 2021
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 emphasis of our course is very much on providing a practical, hands-on experience through guest lectures, work placements, industry visits, skills development and the study of real-life case studies (all subject to availability and potential additional costs for industry visits)2.
We incorporate a wide range of teaching methods, for example, you may find yourself in a VR simulation exercise or interviewing police officers.
Recognising the continual advancements in scientific analysis, we will monitor and discuss contemporary issues such as those concerning victims of serious crime, the impact of the media upon major investigations and the investigation of major disasters.
We also offer a range of field trips2, which have previously included the National Justice Museum in Nottingham, where students are given a historical perspective of the development of justice and take part in researching archived case papers and documents, and a team building and problem solving day at an activity centre, where you can take part in a range of activities, including problem solving exercises and some physical activities (both field trips and team building courses are subject to availability and additional costs may apply).
Throughout the course you are strongly encouraged to gain practical work experience. You have the opportunity to take a sandwich year on a professional placement or you may opt for a shorter placement2. Long and short-term placements have resulted in us helping organise a range of internships in the UK and abroad. Students from our course may also be able to get involved in the West Midlands Police Streetwatch scheme, which enables them to work alongside officers in promoting student safety and crime prevention. Participation in this scheme is voluntary and is subject to security checks by the police.
Teaching methods include: lectures, group work, seminars, tutorials, laboratory skills, flipped classroom, PC labs, mock courtrooms, interviewing and simulation exercises.
In a typical teaching week, you will have around 12-15 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally breaks down into tutorials (or individual project supervision later on in the course), workshops, practical sessions, seminars and/or lectures.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
Some ‘contact’ hours may take the form of synchronous online learning (e.g. live online lectures, meeting tutors via video calling etc).
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.
Forensic Investigations is a ‘doing’ course continues to develop a number of opportunities for students to explore creative processes which includes simulations, raft building, problem solving and teamwork. The raft building day tests team building and leadership skills.
Dr Chris Hiley, Course Director, 2022
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** £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | £16,800 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:
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.
The Forensic Investigations degree is delivered at the Coventry University campus in Coventry.
There are a number of state-of-the-art facilities available4:
Successful completion of this course will support you to develop a wide range of skills in the collection, analysis and interpretation of physical evidence, all of which are useful for a diverse range of careers in areas such as the intelligence services, insurance companies, banking, the prison service, accountancy firms, fraud investigation organisations, environmental or financial services and teaching.
Recent graduates have taken up posts in the financial sector, insurance services, credit card providers, digital forensic companies, accountancy firms, the Border Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and local government, as well as more traditional law enforcement positions, such as police constables, civilian police investigators, protection services.
Some of our graduates have chosen to continue their studies with postgraduate qualifications, such as the Terrorism, International Crime and Global Security MA here at Coventry.
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:
HLSU261
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