Forensic Science with Criminology with Foundation Year
Forensic science and criminology together form a degree that examines crime from two complementary angles: the physical evidence that investigations produce and the social and analytical frameworks that help us understand why crime occurs and how society responds to it. Forensic science brings the methods of chemistry, biology, and physics to criminal investigation, developing the ability to analyse, interpret, and present evidence. Criminology brings sociological, psychological, and policy perspectives to bear on offending, victimisation, and criminal justice, asking what causes crime and whether institutional responses to it are effective or just.
At the University of Derby, this four-year full-time programme extends your career scope and enhances your employability by bringing these two disciplines together in a curriculum that develops the skills of both the forensic scientist and the criminologist. The programme includes a foundation year that prepares students for degree-level study across both scientific and social science domains, building the academic confidence and foundational knowledge you need before progressing to the main degree. A sandwich year in industry, a year abroad, and work placements are all part of the programme, giving you direct professional experience in forensic, criminal justice, or related settings and an international perspective on how different systems approach crime and evidence.
With a typical entry tariff of 88 UCAS points, this degree is accessible to students with the motivation to develop a demanding combination of skills. Graduates pursue careers in forensic laboratories, crime scene investigation, the police service, the prison and probation service, regulatory agencies, social work, policy, and the voluntary sector. The dual qualification also opens routes into analytical roles in intelligence, environmental regulation, and public health.
Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in forensic science, criminology, criminal justice, or social research.