Forensic Science with Criminology

Forensic science with criminology combines the rigorous scientific training needed to examine and interpret physical evidence with the social scientific understanding of crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice system. The two disciplines are natural partners: effective forensic practice requires an appreciation of the legal and criminological contexts in which scientific evidence is used, and a deeper understanding of crime is informed by knowing how it is investigated and proven at the evidential level. This three-year full-time degree at the University of Derby includes a foundation year entry route, a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and embedded work placement experience.

You will develop high-level skills as a forensic scientist, learning to handle, analyse, and interpret physical evidence across disciplines including chemistry, biology, and trace evidence science. The criminology strand introduces you to theories of criminal behaviour, the sociology of crime and deviance, the criminal justice process, and the legal frameworks that govern the use of forensic evidence in court. The programme examines questions about the causes of crime, the role of expert testimony, and the ethical dimensions of forensic practice, giving you a more complete picture of how the science of investigation connects to the pursuit of justice.

The sandwich year and year abroad provide professional and international experience that enriches both your scientific and your criminological understanding.

A typical entry tariff of 104 UCAS points makes the programme broadly accessible. Graduates move into careers in forensic laboratory science, crime scene investigation, the police service, probation and criminal justice agencies, social research, and related fields. Some continue to postgraduate study in forensic science, criminology, or law.