Forensic Degrees Online

MSc Forensic Science
Full-time and part-time

You can choose which area of forensic science you wish to develop

Forensic study is increasingly popular in universities and a forensic approach is often used in the workplace. This course gives you science skills and knowledge related to forensic investigation.

You gain an understanding of the legal issues in forensic study. A third of your study involves improving your knowledge of the legal system. Science is always studied in a legal context. And through your laboratory work you develop a sophisticated understanding of various analytical techniques.

You can choose which areas of forensic science you wish to develop with option modules that look at various areas of investigation and associated techniques.

One option module is called drugs of abuse, which looks at how to identify elicit drugs in various contexts. Another is fire arms and explosives, where you study ballistics and how explosion damage is used to gain an understanding of the type of explosive used.

You do a dissertation research project which develops your analytical skills under the supervision of an academic tutor.

There are four other forensic courses available. They are all designed to meet a wide range of individual needs and expectations. Each course complements your degree study or previous work experience.

MSc Forensic Engineering
Full-time and part-time

What caused the pressure valve to burst? Material investigation is a key part of this course.

Forensic study is increasingly popular in universities and a forensic approach is often used in the workplace. This course gives you engineering skills and knowledge related to forensic investigation.

You gain an understanding of the legal issues in forensic study. A third of your study involves improving your knowledge of the legal system. Engineering is always studied in a legal context.

You study how engineering can be used to explain why systems have failed or how damage occurred with relation to an accident or crime. You do laboratory work developing analytical skills with reference to engineering failure.

You also develop in-depth skills of how to interpret this failure and the results of analysis. You do a dissertation research project where you look at a forensic engineering issue of your choice. An academic tutor supports you and provides advice and guidance during this project.

We expect you to work in specialist forensic investigation teams, either with a larger engineering company or a specialist company which provides failure information for the police or legal teams.

Developing your legal knowledge allows you to understand the importance of • responsibility issues when systems fail • investigation based on sound engineering principles • the legal process.

There are four other forensic courses available. They are all designed to meet a wide range of individual needs and expectations. Each course complements your degree study or previous work experience.

MSc Forensic Criminology
Full-time and part-time

Our criminology department has an active criminological society run by students

We are holding a postgraduate event on 16 March 2009, where you can find out more about our courses and staff.

Forensic study is increasingly popular in universities and a forensic approach is often used in the workplace. This course focuses on debating and examining how criminology and law work in practice and how criminology influences forensic study.

It is suitable if you work in criminal justice or are considering a career with agencies such as the police, the probation service and the courts.

You explore
• the historical developments of the agencies involved in criminal justice and how they interact in today’s society
• how they work together to detect crime, arrest suspects, and deal with offenders when imprisoned and in the community
• the history behind criminological theories and theories which apply today
• how theory influences research and policy, which informs practice in the criminal justice system, and how practice may inform research

You learn research methods used in forensic criminology and the resulting ethical problems. You also study modules that focus on the institutional framework of criminal litigation.

Our lecturers draw on their professional experience in criminal justice practice to develop your understanding of how academic theories relate to crime. Throughout the course you gain critical analysis skills, which you use to complete a dissertation in an area of your interest.

Our criminology department has an active criminological society run by students. It involves visits to appropriate organisations and guest speakers who give an overview of their speciality.

MSc Forensic Accounting
Full-time and part-time

Forensic study is increasingly popular in universities and a forensic approach is often used in the workplace. This course gives you accounting skills and knowledge related to forensic investigation.

You gain an understanding of the legal issues in forensic study. A third of your study involves improving your knowledge of the legal system. Accounting is always studied in a legal context.

This course gives you a specialist insight into the forensic analysis of financial accounts. Your module choices allow you to tailor your study to areas of interest. Total risk management addresses the design and management of financial information to help reduce the possibility of financial fraud.

The financial regulations and supervision module gives you an insight into the legal framework and working practices around accounting.

These option modules are supported by core modules such as electronic crime. You look at how new media can be exploited in financial fraud and how such actions can be traced.

You also do a dissertation, an extended piece of research which you design and carry out under the direction of an academic tutor.

There are four other forensic courses available. They are all designed to meet a wide range of individual needs and expectations. Each course complements your degree study or previous work experience.

BEng (Honours) Forensic Engineering

Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time

UCAS code H199

What caused the pressure valve to burst? Material investigation is a key part of this course.

Forensic engineering focuses on applying a broad base of technical and scientific principles to inform and add to legal argument.

Forensic engineers are employed in various engineering practices such as accident investigation – to find out the cause, responsibility and remedial action needed to prevent a similar accident.

Members of the legal profession use the results of the work of the forensic engineer to guide them in criminal and civil cases. Forensic engineers also have an essential role in investigating criminal acts.

They also examine and analyse areas of manufacturing to
• prevent component failure
• reduce unit costs
• increase the life of machinery
• improve product quality

This course, the first of its kind in the UK, is enterprising in its delivery by including field trips, case studies and a hands on approach.

You learn advanced investigatory techniques and the basic materials and mechanical principles that support all engineering investigation. You develop a focused analytical approach to problem solving and improve your leadership, communication and project management skills.

During your third year you can choose to spend at least 36 weeks on a paid, work-based placement. Currently the average salary for a student on placement is £12,000. This allows you to put theory into practice and improves your employability after you graduate.

Mature students with previous relevant work experience, and international students, normally take the three year route.

FdSc Forensic and Security Technologies

Two years full-time

UCAS code G551

Forensic and security technologists need a wide range of technical skills

Computers play a large part in our personal and professional lives. It is essential we have IT professionals who understand how computer crime is committed, have the skills to investigate the crimes, and know how to prevent them.

This course produces those professionals. It will appeal to you if you are interested in a technology-based computing course and broadening your studies to include forensic, security and legal issues.

Forensic technologies help detect and examine crimes committed on or via computers and computer networks. Security technologies help identify weaknesses and prevent these crimes from happening.

You explore
• the nature of computer crime
• what organisations and individuals can do to protect themselves
• the nature of digital evidence
• what evidence the law will and will not accept

Forensic and security technologists need a wide range of technical skills, a good understanding of business and IT processes, and a strong professional attitude.

Work-based learning and problem solving are important features of this degree. You learn to apply your skills to a real work environment through a project in the second year.

You attend seminars, lectures and tutorials and we support your learning with our online virtual learning environment, Blackboard. This is where you can e-mail tutors, talk to other students and access lecture and tutorial material.

As well as the skills needed to understand and use forensic and security technologies, you also gain interpersonal skills such as teamworking and communication that you need in your career.

After you successfully complete your foundation degree you can top up your award and achieve a full BSc (Honours) degree by studying for a further year on one of our top up courses.

BSc (Honours) Forensic and Security Technologies
(HND/FdSc top up)

One year full-time

UCAS code G552

Convert your HND to a BSc on this one year top up course

This course is for people who already have an appropriate HND or foundation degree in an IT or computing-related area. You can use this course to gain an honours degree through one year of full-time study.

It develops the knowledge and skills that you have already gained, and expands on a range of computing themes.

You develop
• your technical IT skills
• an awareness of professional issues
• the interpersonal skills you need to become an effective computing professional

The focus of this course is on preventing internet crime and preserving evidence.

You complete a dissertation and gain practical experience in a range of subjects.

Lectures and practical sessions take place at our City Campus where we have specialist computing laboratories as well as the resources available in the learning centre, which houses our library and multimedia resources.

BA (Honours) Forensic Accounting
Course content

Year one core modules
• business analysis • financial accounting • management accounting • information management • business environment

Year one options
• managing resources • foreign language

Year two core modules
• corporate and business law • accounting information systems • financial accounting and reporting • electronic crime • fraud, evidence, expert witness • audit and personal tax

Year three
• optional work placement

Final year core modules
• corporate reporting • internal auditing • business taxation • forensic accounting techniques • audit and assurance

Final year options
• takeovers, mergers and restructuring • corporate finance • foreign language

BA (Honours) Forensic Accounting
Associated careers

Forensic accounting is the fastest growing area of accounting today and offers a career that is varied, interesting and financially rewarding.

In recent years forensic accounting techniques have also been used to resolve disputes over financial settlements in divorce cases throughout the world including high profile film, music and sports stars.

It is also likely that forensic accountants will play a significant part in regulating the club transfer of professional footballers in reaction to recent corruption allegations.

The course prepares you for a career in accounting, auditing or financial investigation in • a professional accountancy firm • industry • commerce • retail • finance.

Our accountancy graduates are always in high demand. Past graduates have found positions as accountants, financial advisors, tax specialists and auditors in local, national and international companies.

If you have not decided which career route you wish to take, this degree could give you the edge over students graduating from more generic accounting degrees in a competitive employment market for accountancy graduates.

BA (Honours) Forensic Accounting
Entry requirements

Normally five GCSEs including mathematics at grade C or above or evidence of numerical ability, for example economics or a science-based A level, and English language at grade C or above, plus one of the following

• 240 points including at least two A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. You can count up to 20 points from Key Skills level 3 towards your points total.

• pre-2002 A levels – 18 points from three A levels

• GNVQ – advanced level 3 in 12 modules with overall distinction or in 16 modules with overall merit

• pre-2003 BTEC/SCOTVEC National Certificate/Diploma – pass in a relevant subject with distinction in at least three final year modules and merit in at least three final year modules

• Access – an Access to HE Diploma with at least 50 credits at level 3 from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course or an equivalent Access to HE certificate

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above.

If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.