Forensic Science

Forensic science applies the methods and knowledge of the natural sciences to the investigation of crime and the administration of justice. It is a discipline that sits at the interface of chemistry, biology, physics, and the law, requiring practitioners who can collect and interpret evidence with rigour and communicate their conclusions with clarity in legal settings. The work is both intellectually demanding and of real social consequence.

At the University of Hull, this three-year full-time programme develops your knowledge and practical skills through laboratory work and real-world casework. You will develop the critical thinking and technical expertise needed for crime scene investigation, forensic analysis, and the presentation of evidence in realistic mock courtroom settings. The curriculum covers the major areas of forensic science, including trace evidence analysis, toxicology, DNA profiling, fingerprint examination, digital forensics, and ballistics, giving you a broad foundation across the discipline.

Laboratory sessions are central to your education, developing the careful, methodical approach to evidence that forensic work demands, as well as the data analysis and reporting skills needed to communicate findings clearly.

The typical entry tariff is 104 UCAS points, and the degree is studied full time.

Graduates from forensic science programmes go on to careers in forensic laboratories, working for police services, the Home Office, or private sector providers in areas such as toxicology, DNA analysis, digital forensics, and fingerprint examination. Others move into analytical chemistry, environmental science, pharmaceutical laboratories, or teaching. Further study options include postgraduate forensic science programmes and research degrees in specific areas of forensic analysis.