Crime and Forensic Science MSc

Forensic science is a dynamic discipline that is crucial to the investigation of crime, the collection of evidence and intelligence, and in securing justice

This multidisciplinary MSc programme offers students a unique opportunity to gain forensic science skills and methods within a holistic crime science framework.

Students will gain practical skills in evidence interpretation, crime scene investigation, experimental design and implementation, statistical analysis, and data analysis and modelling. As graduates, they will be able to evaluate the weight and applicability of forensic evidence for investigative and court purposes.

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A flexible approach to learning

A unique aspect of this MSc is the diversity of optional module offerings, which enables students to tailor the programme to their own interests and develop practical skills in their chosen field.

Career prospects

Our Crime and Forensic Science MSc trains students to think strategically and critically about crime and forensic science, equipping them with transferable skills suitable for a wide range of careers.

Graduates of this programme will have a solid understanding of the key principles of crime and forensic science, along with the ability to interpret evidence, analyse problems and use the appropriate scientific and professional skills to solve them.

They will be able to evaluate forensic evidence and, thanks to their CSI training (developed and delivered with input from London-based police forces), they will have an advantage compared to other applicants for crime scene investigation roles.

They have the opportunity to learn specialist techniques in areas such as forensic archaeology and forensic geoscience, and are also given a thorough grounding in academic research methods.

See our alumni profiles for more information

Networking

As a student on this programme, you will become a member of the UCL Centre for Forensic Sciences. Students will have opportunities to network with practitioners and researchers through the CFS seminar series.

Seminars run during term time and are designed to expose students to the latest developments in forensic science and to provide opportunities to engage with experts from outside UCL.

Previous speakers include voices from within UK police forces, UK government departments, forensic science providers, researchers from UK and overseas universities.

Student testimonials

I enjoyed the diversity of course offerings as it [gave me] the ability to tailor the degree to my interests. I could spend the mornings learning about forensic anthropology and then in the afternoon could investigate crime scene techniques or study blood spatter analysis.

One of my favourite components of the [MSc] was the variety of guest speakers that came in to speak at the weekly forensic science seminars. It was interesting to hear first-hand from those practicing in fields relating to forensics and security.

The opportunity to choose from a wide range of courses meant I was always highly engaged in class and it was the first time that I enjoyed all my coursework! Overall UCL honed my experimental skills and made me a more adept researcher – a valuable and integral skill for a forensic scientist (as well as for many other career paths).

The Crime and Forensic Science MSc has been incredibly valuable in helping me gain admittance to law school and in opening up my career options. Law and expert evidence was one of my favourite modules; it explained how lawyers and the courts assess expert evidence, the legal responsibilities of experts, and legal issues surrounding forensic evidence. It emphasized that a common criticism of criminal lawyers is that they often do not understand the science behind the forensic evidence used in court.