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Forensic Science

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The Forensic Science course will provide you with advanced knowledge of the forensic processes (particularly chemistry and biology) and analytical techniques used in crime investigation. It is the longest-running accredited programme of its type in England. 

 

 


Key benefits

  • Study programme fully accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

  • A well-established and highly respected forensic science course with contributions from leading forensic scientists.

  • Strategic alliance with the Metropolitan Police Forensic Services Directorate and research partners with Eurofins forming the Met/Eurofins/KCL managed forensic service provision (2017). 

  • Links with over 25 forensic laboratories and institutions worldwide provide research placement opportunities for students’ projects.

  • Exposure to cutting-edge technology and methodology at the forefront of forensic science research and development.

  • Flexible study pathway with the opportunity to extend your project to a 28-week project to gain an extra 30 ECTS and the MRes qualification.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration 1 year FT MSc, 2 years PT MSc, 15 months FT MRes, 30 months PT MRes

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90 UK 240/ECTS 120

Programme accreditations Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Course intake 35 FT.

Course leaders Dr Barbara Daniel

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 7000 fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine

Department Department of Forensic and Analytical Science School of Population Health & Environmental Sciences

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Course detail

Description

Accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, our Forensic Sciences course is the longest-running programme of its type in England, having been first established in 1985.

You will benefit from an advanced and flexible study programme devised and delivered by internationally leading researchers, and recognised forensic providers including our accredited DNA analysis and Drug Control Centre testing laboratories. We also collaborate closely with the Forensic Directorates of the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police in both teaching and research.

The course is made up of two 15 credit modules and three 30 credit modules followed by a 60 or 120 credit research module. If you are studying full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying for the MRes qualification, you will study an extended research module that carries a further 120 credits to complete the course.

 

Further literature

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/enquiry-form.aspx

Course format and assessment

Teaching

For flexibility, a significant proportion of the course will be delivered by narrated PowerPoint. Teaching time includes workshops, group discussions and problem-based learning exercises.  Approximate total contact hours for the taught modules is 360-hours.

You are also expected to undertake 840 hours of team and individual study.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Current evaluation methods include examinations, MCQs, witness statements, courtroom appearance, crime scene management and assignments.

Formative assessments are carried out as teamwork with both peer and academic feedback. This is designed to help students with the subsequent summative assessments.

The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

Extra information

You will also need to have either started or completed a course of Hepatitis B vaccinations.

Structure

Year 1

 Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take:

  • MSc – modules totalling 180 credits

  • MRes – modules totalling 240 credits

Required Modules

You are required to take:

You are also required to complete a research and dissertation module depending on your choice of study pathway:

Part-time Pathway

Year one

  • Analytical Chemistry for Forensic Science & Toxicology (15 credits) 
  • Forensic Genetics (15 credits) 

Year two

Forensic research and dissertation module depending on your choice of study pathway

Year one or Year two

We regularly review our modules to make sure our programmes are as up-to-date, innovative and relevant as possible. The modules we offer may therefore change. We suggest that you check the course finder for updates: 

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/index.aspx

 

Optional Modules

Entry requirements & how to apply

Forensic Science Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements  2:1

Bachelors degree with 2:1 honours in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Biochemistry, Molecular biology, or similar combination. Applicants with degrees in chemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmacology or toxicology are required to provide evidence of at least one course unit in biochemistry. Applicants with degrees in biochemistry or molecular biology are required to provide evidence of at least one course unit in chemistry.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.

Chemistry and Biology qualifications equivalent to UK A-level are also required (applicants with other qualifications may contact Admissions for guidance). Applicants may also be required to complete an Online Test prior to interview
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band D Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £60 applies.

Applications will be processed upon receipt. Places are offered either directly or after successful completion of an online test (to test basic chemistry and molecular biology knowledge) and interview.  Overseas applicants are advised to apply by March to allow sufficient time for visa application. Places are ascribed on a first come first served basis. 

Applicants are encouraged to attend the Departmental and University Postgraduate Open Evenings.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Document checks
Personal Statement Yes A personal statement of up to 4,000 characters (maximum 2 pages) is required
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
Reference Yes One reference is required, professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
Other Optional You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.  Our first application deadline is the 29 March 2019.  Applications will remain open if places are available and programmes will be closed as soon as they are full. 

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home/EU fees: £12,300 (MSc, 2019/20); £16,500 (MRes, 2019/20)
  • Full time overseas fees: £25,500 (MSc 2019/20)*; £33,900 (MRes, 2019/20)
  • Part time Home/EU fees: £6,150 per year (MSc, 2019/20); £8,250 (MRes, 2019/20)
  • Part time overseas fees: £12,750 per year (MSc, 2019/20); £16,950 (MRes, 2019/20)

Students starting their programme in 2019/20 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2020/21.

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK/EU deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March 2019, payment is due by 27th April 2019.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st April 2019 and 30th June 2019, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st July 2019 and 31st July 2019, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August 2019, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to the costs above, you can also expect to pay for: 

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Most Forensic Science graduates go on to work in the forensic science sector with forensic service providers within the UK, European and International field. Others have taken employment with the Metropolitan Police or crime scene departments of other police forces. The degree, with its mixture of analytical chemistry and cutting edge molecular biology,  is also highly regarded in medical laboratories Many of our Canadian graduates now work for the RCMP or the Toronto Centre for Forensic Sciences. Other graduates choose to continue to study towards a PhD either at King’s College London or other universities across the country.

Testimonials

Katherine

Katherine

The course  provided a thorough insight into both forensic chemistry and biology. The practicals were really well organised and they were always conducted with real life scenarios in mind.

Jamie Miller

Jamie Miller

I left a full-time job specifically to attend the Forensic Science MSc course at KCL. This was for two main reasons. Firstly, the course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and so I knew it would be excellent quality and highly regarded by potential employers. Secondly, the contacts that KCL has both in the UK and around the world would provide me with the opportunity to do a 14 week industry placement working with cutting edge forensic technology. I wasn’t disappointed on either count, and was able to move into a job in Forensic Science straight after finishing the course. As an added bonus, I got to live in London for a year with the whole world at my doorstep and had a fantastic time living in such an eclectic city

Next steps

Upcoming events

Jul 6 Undergraduate Open Day | Health and Life Sciences | Guy’s Campus | Saturday 6 July
Sep 7 Undergraduate Open Day | Arts and Sciences | Strand Campus | Saturday 7 September

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