Forensic Science

Entry requirements

You will need a good honours degree (typically 2:2 or higher) in forensic science or a related discipline. If you have professional experience in forensic science, you may also be considered as eligible for this course.

Months of entry

September

Course content

• Develop into an independent forensic researcher by learning essential skills
• Conduct a research project in an area of your choice so you can further explore your individual interests
• Gain a stand-alone research qualification or bridge the gap between an undergraduate degree and PhD
• Work alongside an experienced and enthusiastic academic team in the production of high quality forensic research
• Use our extensive laboratories, forensic training facility or field sites, to explore the dynamic world of Forensic Science

This course will support you in proposing, developing, and conducting a research project, providing you with invaluable experience and insight into how research is conducted.

Innovation in forensics

The forensic science sector has always strived to develop innovative forensic technology, particularly within the fields of molecular techniques, such as DNA profiling. Recent developments within this sector have led the Chartered Society of Forensic Science to push for increased forensic science research and development. As a result, we have developed our MRes Forensic Science to enable you to undertake your own original research within your chosen area of forensic science.

Active research staff

Our staff are active researchers, regularly presenting at scientific conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Our expertise covers a diverse range of forensic science subjects and we can support research that is either field or laboratory-based.

Specialist areas in which you could develop your research project include:

• Forensic handwriting and document analysis
• Forensic anthropology
• Photography and imaging
• Forensic entomology
• Forensic microbiology
• Molecular analysis
• Wildlife forensics
• Drugs of abuse and chemical analysis
• Blood pattern analysis
• Fire investigation
• Ballistics
• Fingerprint analysis
• Detection of chemical and biological agents
• Single molecule explosive detection systems
• Chemical stability testing.
• Analytical chemistry

Specialised facilities

We have both field sites and specialised laboratory facilities available for your research projects. These include an imaging laboratory, a molecular laboratory, an insectary with adjoining entomology laboratory, a dedicated microbiology laboratory and an analytical suite housing GCMS, SEM, HPLC, and a UV Vis spectrophotometer. We can also support research that is field-based.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language, you will need to hold IELTS 6.0. All international students will have a Skype interview.

Fees and funding

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Scholarships and bursaries

We also offer a number of funding opportunities for all International students, including discounts, scholarships and bursaries.