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Forensic and Medical Sciences

BSc (Hons)

Typical offer for 2025
Duration
UCAS code
Start date
Location

Suitable for applications.

Overview

This course develops skills in core biomedical, chemical and forensic sciences, helping you become a skilled forensic practitioner.

The emphasis is on biosciences, and then shifts towards disease processes and forensic investigation of physical evidence types.

In addition to the pursuit of core sciences, you will study forensic investigation in anthropology and topics relating to archaeology - including the degradation of human remains and physical materials - which will develop your skills in forensic interpretation. The final year develops your professional skills through a forensic research dissertation.

The course prepares you for a wide range of careers, including those in the professional medical and forensic sectors because of its broad basis and application.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) for laboratory analysis and the interpretation, evaluation and presentation of evidence. CSFS accreditation for these component standards, along with the extra content studied in medical sciences, means you'll have an industry-relevant and globally recognised degree to kick-start a career as a forensic scientist or laboratory analyst.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences crest.

Rankings

The University of Bradford is ranked 11th in the UK in the Complete University Guide Forensic Science Subject League Table 2025.

Entry requirements

Typical offer - 112 UCAS tariff points.

 

A levels

BBC, to include A level Chemistry or Biology minimum grade B.

Please note that where a science A level is taken, the University will require applicants to pass the practical element (for A levels awarded from August 2017 onwards).

T levels

Merit - with subject specific requirement in Science.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM. Science subject required – must include a minimum of three Chemistry or Biology-related units.

Applicants on Access Programmes

112 UCAS tariff points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma – Science subject required. Must include a minimum of 12 credits of Chemistry or Biology at minimum Distinction.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points to include HL Chemistry or Biology at grade 6 plus 2 other HL subjects at grade 5. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

GCSE English, Mathematics and a Science at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

English language requirements

Minimum IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent.

Foundation Year entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be nominated on our Foundation Year in Clinical Sciences and Medicine programme.

Pass each module and achieve a progression average of at least 40%.

If you are an international student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course, you may be interested in our International College.

Transferring from another university

If you are currently studying at another university and would like to transfer to the University of Bradford, this course accepts students into the second or third year. This is called advanced entry.

Applications for advanced entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must include an official transcript (not a screenshot of a portal), all module descriptors, and relevant qualifications. Module descriptors must include learning outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through UCAS and the required documents emailed along with your UCAS Personal ID no later than 31 August prior to the course starting in September. Relevant documents should be emailed to [email protected]

Placement Year

You can spend a year in a laboratory environment as a paid employee of an approved organisation.

This experience allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems, learn about work practices, and improve your career prospects.

Teaching, learning and assessment

We focus on student-centred approaches to learning, and you will be expected to take responsibility for your learning in order to develop the attributes needed for life-long learning and continuing professional development.

The course is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, workshops, case studies and directed study. Directed study will include directed reading of selected textbooks, specified source literature and open learning materials, directed web-based materials, report writing and other assignments such as individual project/dissertation work.

Assessment methods include:

  • laboratory reports
  • portfolios
  • expert witness statements
  • case and witness reports
  • mock court exercise (oral cross examination)
  • essays, worksheets, critiques, group-work, poster and oral presentations
  • research designs
  • reflective journals
  • examinations (essays, short answers, MCQ).

Our facilities

The Simulation Suite is home to a 3D dissection table and human patient simulator. The Anatomage Table allows you to take apart the human body digitally.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2025

  • UK: £9,535

  • International: £24,456

Additional costs

As part of this course you will be required to purchase a lab coat worth £10.

You may also wish to apply for student membership of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs.
You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

There are wide-ranging career opportunities, including the health service, the forensic science or police scientific support laboratories, the Health and Safety Executive, and the public analysts’ laboratories, as well as opportunities in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food, drink and electronics industries. The scientific skills, knowledge and methods you will acquire during the course can also be a useful basis for a career in teaching; technical and scientific writing; drug registration, patenting or monitoring; and medical publishing or other information services.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Student with back towards the camera, arms spread, overlooking a sea. The student is wearing a shirt saying 'See the world'.

Study abroad

A study abroad year is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and strengthen your skills and experience to make you stand out in the job market.

We have opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer in more than 150 countries across the world and will support you every step of the way.

Study support

Research

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.