Forensic Science with Foundation Year

Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge and methods to questions arising from legal investigations, covering the collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence from crime scenes. It draws on chemistry, biology, physics, and the life sciences to examine everything from trace evidence and biological samples to digital data and fire debris, and its practitioners contribute to the judicial process by providing expert scientific testimony that helps courts understand complex physical evidence. It is a demanding and varied discipline that requires scientific rigour alongside an understanding of the legal contexts in which scientific findings are used.

At the University of Derby this four-year programme includes a foundation year, giving you a supported and accessible entry into degree-level scientific study before the main forensic science curriculum begins. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you a substantial combination of professional experience and international perspective alongside your academic qualifications. You will develop skills in analytical chemistry, DNA analysis, toxicology, scene of crime investigation, and the presentation of evidence, building the technical competence and professional awareness that forensic science careers require.

Forensic science graduates work in forensic science service providers, police forces, hospitals, toxicology laboratories, environmental agencies, and private sector organisations. Roles in crime scene investigation, forensic biology, toxicology, digital forensics, and forensic document examination are all career possibilities. The field is highly competitive, and the placement experience and international exposure embedded in this programme are significant advantages when applying for professional positions.

Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in forensic science, analytical chemistry, or a specific forensic specialisation to strengthen their credentials for specialist roles.