Forensic Science with foundation year

Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge and methods to questions arising from legal investigations. It draws on chemistry, biology, physics, and their sub-disciplines to examine physical evidence from crime scenes, accidents, and other legally significant events, providing courts and investigators with rigorous, evidence-based analysis. The field encompasses a wide range of specialisms, from toxicology and DNA analysis to fingerprint examination, trace evidence, digital forensics, and crime scene investigation.

Forensic scientists must be both competent scientists and capable communicators, able to present complex technical findings clearly in legal and professional contexts.

At Coventry University, this four-year programme builds a strong foundation in chemical and biological sciences while developing the specific forensic investigation skills that the field requires, from crime scene analysis and evidence preservation to understanding the legal procedures within which forensic evidence is used. You will develop laboratory skills, critical analysis, and the professional standards of accuracy and integrity that forensic work demands.

The programme includes a foundation year, providing an additional year of scientific preparation before the main degree begins. A sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement are also included, giving you substantial professional and international experience. Time in a forensic or scientific workplace environment develops the practical competence and professional awareness that employers in this competitive field look for, while the year abroad broadens your perspective on how forensic science is practised in different legal and regulatory contexts.

Graduates from forensic science degrees move into roles in forensic laboratories, police forces, environmental investigation, toxicology, pharmaceutical research, analytical chemistry, and related scientific fields. Some go on to postgraduate study in forensic science, analytical chemistry, or criminal justice. Others apply their scientific skills in adjacent industries where precision analysis and evidence evaluation are valued.