Forensic Science MSc
- Chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences
- Postgraduate
Take the next step on your journey with the Forensic Science MSc course from Kingston University, accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, with a choice of two pathways: Analysis or Toxicology.
Learn how to preserve and analyse evidence
You’ll gain practical experience by investigating evidence in our scene-of-crime house
You'll also present expert witness testimony in a mock courtroom trial in Kingston Crown Court, in collaboration with law students.
Kingston University is one of the few UK institutions with an accredited forensic casework laboratory on-site. Kingston Analytical Services Toxicology (KAST) is an ISO 17025 and FSR codes accredited laboratory specialising in the testing of toxicology samples for the criminal justice system. The development of KAST by Kingston University academics demonstrates our excellence in forensic and analytical sciences.
You’ll also have the opportunity to carry out a research project. This can be completed in our extensive laboratories, in industry (potential placements include forensic labs, analytical companies, contract pharmaceutical companies or hospital labs). Alternatively, it can be completed as collaborative research with other laboratories and external partners.
Students can benefit from a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus, including:
- our £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of the art laboratories
- new work areas and dedicated laboratories for research
- specialist equipment, such as:
- chromatography instruments
- a breathalyser
- electrophoresis equipment
- electron microscopes
- electrochemical analysis
- nuclear science equipment
- thermal analysis
- x-ray diffractometers
- spectrometers, including mass spectrometers, infrared spectrometers and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers
- computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance
Why choose this course
Forensic Science (Analysis) examines the latest analytical, spectroscopic and separation techniques used in case studies.
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LCMS/ MS) will be used in your toxicology analysis. You will also use Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), commonly used for environmental analysis, such as air pollution and water samples.
You will learn to investigate and analyse drugs of abuse, fibres and firearms and conduct fire and explosive investigations.
Forensic Science (Toxicology) offers in-depth training in pharmacology and analytical chemistry. You will study the biological effects and therapeutic uses of drugs, focusing on criminal and road traffic toxicology, and on drug testing in sport.
You will be able to put your investigative skills into practice with our scene-of-crime house, located on site. This is a real semi-detached house with five rooms and a garden containing various types of mock crime scenes, including burglary, arson, assault and sexual crime. Students have to pick up evidence and transport it back to the labs for preservation and analysis. The crime scene house is also used extensively to teach Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA).
In addition, you will have the option to do a placement year in industry to put your research skills into practice in the real world. You are responsible for finding and securing your own professional placement, which can be highly competitive but also incredibly rewarding.
You will be taught by lecturers with wide experience as forensic scientists, expert witnesses and forensic research. Staff research includes the following themes:
- Analysis of trace materials from vehicles involved in road traffic accidents
- Fire investigation
- Drugs of abuse analysis (recreational and in sport)
- Lipstick contact analysis and Blood Pattern Recognition
- Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology
- Near Infra-Red Analysis
In addition, you will benefit from visiting guest speakers and industry visits. Recent trips include:
- a tour of the forensic labs at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC)
- a visit to Kingston Crown Court to see a trial
Accreditation
The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences provides an accreditation system for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in forensic science and related topics. Accreditation is given provided the course content meets with the Society's component standards which provide a quality endorsement of the course.
This course is currently accredited until March 2031, when accreditation will undergo renewal. When you graduate you are eligible to apply to be an Associate of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (ACSFS post-nominals). Having completed appropriate continuing professional development in a forensic science workplace, you can also become a Professional Member (MCSFS).
Course content
You will explore recent trends in forensic science and learn about the latest analytical devices used, such as atomic and molecular spectroscopic and separation techniques and DNA profiling.
You will look at the role of the forensic scientist and learn how to, for example, investigate and analyse drugs of abuse, fibres and firearms and conduct fire investigation. There is also the opportunity to present expert evidence at a mock courtroom trial in a magistrates' court, examined by Kingston's own trainee lawyers and/or their law lecturers.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to carry out your research project in industry (depending on your results and project availability) or in Kingston University's extensive forensic and analytical laboratories.
To go on placement, a student is required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Modules
Core modules
Optional modules
Forensic Science (Analysis) pathway
Core modules
Forensic Science (Toxicology) pathway
Core modules
Career opportunities
Recent graduates from this course have gone on to roles such as:
- Scene of Crimes Officer
- Forensic Scientist
- Pharmaceutical Scientist
- Quality Assurance Officer
- Medicinal and Scientific Researcher
Teaching and assessment
Fees and funding
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Forensic Science (Analysis/Toxicology) MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
If the postgraduate admissions tutor requires further information or wishes to invite you to further assessment by interview they will contact you directly. You will then hear whether your application has been successful.
If you do not clearly meet the standard entry requirements and the admission tutor wishes to see a portfolio from you, you will be sent an email asking you to upload your portfolio to your Kingston University OSIS account. Further details on how to do this will be provided at the time.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
