What GCSEs do I need to become a forensic scientist?

What GSCEs you'll need to have depends on the institution you are applying to. You'll typically need: 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 including Maths and English Some institutions may require you to have GCSEs in science too. If you are applying to study a degree in Forensic Science, you will also need A Levels or equivalent.

What qualifications do I need to be a forensic scientist?

Depending on the institution, you’ll typically need: <li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="29" data-aria-level="1">2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry <li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="30" data-aria-level="1">An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject to pursue postgraduate study Always check the entry requirements for the course and institution you’re applying to.

Do I have to study at university to become a forensic scientist?

There are three main routes you can take to become a forensic scientist: Studying a degree at university A degree apprenticeship Direct application Some of our forensic science graduates have gone on to: Study a masters Become the Head of CSI at Lancashire Constabulary Work for one of the largest forensic science providers and DNA testing companies in the world Work as a Forensic Operations Manager at Durham Constabulary

What do forensic scientists earn?

According to the National Careers Service, the average starting salary of a forensic scientist is £18,000. An experience forensic scientist can earn up to £45,000.

What skills do forensic scientists need?

Forensic scientists help to identify and analyse criminal evidence. A career in forensic science requires many skills, such as: Analysis Attention to detail Communication Data interpretation Deductive reasoning Numeracy Problem-solving Presentation skills

How long does it take to become a forensic scientist?

If you want to study at university to become a forensic scientist, it will typically take 3 years to complete your degree if you study full-time. If you choose you to take on further study and do a postgraduate degree, this will typically take another year of full-time study or up to 3 years part-time.

Becoming a Forensic Scientist | Step by Step Guide

In this article, we'll cover:

Key facts

The average starting salary of a forensic scientist is £18,000 (National Careers Service)
Experienced forensic scientists can earn up to £45,000 (National Careers Service)
You may be expected to work on call at short notice
There are three main routes to becoming a forensic scientist: university degree, apprenticeship and applying directly

What do forensic scientists do?

As a forensic scientist you’ll investigate and examine contact trace material related to crimes. You'd then present your findings in a formal written statement or report. You may have to attend court as an expert witness to provide your evidence. The evidence you present could either support the defence or prosecution in both civil and criminal investigations.

Not all forensic scientists will be involved with crime scene work or reporting. You may choose to work in the laboratory as a forensic scientist.

A forensic scientist also performs biological, chemical and microscopic analysis on evidence taken from crime scenes.

Your daily duties as a forensic scientist could include:

Collecting evidence and recording findings from crime scenes or accidents
Working with teams and external agencies such as the police
Examining results of DNA analyses of substances, including blood, body fluids, hair and fibres from clothing
Analysing and interpreting results and data
Applying different chemical or biological techniques
Presenting your findings in courts of law
Researching and developing forensic techniques

Types of forensic scientist

Your daily duties as a forensic scientist depend on the area of forensic science you want to work in. The main areas of forensic science are:

Biology – your work could be connected to crimes against people, for example, assault, rape and murder. You’d be responsible for DNA testing and examining hair, blood and clothing fibres.
Chemistry – your work could be connected to crimes against property, for example, burglary and arson. You’d be responsible for examining substances like paint, glass or chemicals.
Drugs and toxicology – You’d be responsible for restricted drug testing, including analysing urine and blood for alcohol and investigating for the detection of poison.

Why become a forensic scientist?

With a degree in forensic science there are many roles you can go into beyond a forensic scientist. You can also work across multiple industries, including law enforcement, healthcare, finance and computing. Graduates have gone on to work as:

DNA testers
Drug tester
Crime scene investigators
Fingerprint officers
Toxicologists
Criminal intelligence analysts

Studying a forensic science degree will also give you plenty of transferable skills if you ever chose to pursue a different career path. These skills include:

Analysis
Communication
Data interpretation
Numeracy
Presentation skills

To become a forensic scientist, you can study an undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification in:

Forensic science
A related subject such as biological science, chemistry, medical science or physics

Competition for jobs in forensic science is high. It might help to choose a university with a degree accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Some universities have dedicated facilities such as fake crime scenes that resemble scenarios you might come across as a forensic scientist. This will help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios, helping to prepare you for your future career.

You can study the following accredited undergraduate degrees at the University of Central Lancashire:

A full-time forensic science degree will typically take 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements for a forensic science degree

Depending on the institution, you’ll typically need:

2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject to pursue postgraduate study

Always check the entry requirements for the course and institution you’re applying to.

Postgraduate study

Due to the level of competition for forensic science jobs, you could consider studying a postgraduate degree to boost your job prospects.

You can study the following postgraduate degrees at the University of Central Lancashire:

Applied Forensic Psychology, MSc

Frequently asked questions about becoming a forensic scientist

There are three main routes you can take to become a forensic scientist:

Studying a degree at university
A degree apprenticeship
Direct application

Some of our forensic science graduates have gone on to:

Study a masters
Become the Head of CSI at Lancashire Constabulary
Work for one of the largest forensic science providers and DNA testing companies in the world
Work as a Forensic Operations Manager at Durham Constabulary

To summarise, becoming a forensic scientist is an incredibly varied career and with plenty of opportunities for career progression.

If you have questions or want to find out more about becoming a forensic scientist, chat to our team.

Where next?

Subject
Forensic Science
Course
Forensic Science, BSc (Hons)
Course
Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation, BSc (Hons)

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How to become a forensic scientist

Key facts

What do forensic scientists do?

Types of forensic scientist

Why become a forensic scientist?

Routes to becoming a forensic scientist

Study at university

Entry requirements for a forensic science degree

Postgraduate study

Degree apprenticeship

Direct application

Frequently asked questions about becoming a forensic scientist

Where next?

Forensic Science

Forensic Science, BSc (Hons)

Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation, BSc (Hons)

How to become a forensic scientist

Key facts

Start your journey to your dream career

What do forensic scientists do?

Types of forensic scientist

Why become a forensic scientist?

No day will be the same

Great career opportunities

Improve public safety

Routes to becoming a forensic scientist

Study at university

Degree apprenticeship

Direct application

Frequently asked questions about becoming a forensic scientist

What GCSEs do I need to become a forensic scientist?

What qualifications do I need to be a forensic scientist?

Do I have to study at university to become a forensic scientist?

What do forensic scientists earn?

What skills do forensic scientists need?

How long does it take to become a forensic scientist?

Where next?

Forensic Science

Forensic Science, BSc (Hons)

Forensic Science & Criminal Investigation, BSc (Hons)