Undergraduate BSc (Hons)
Choose chemistry to change the world and your future.
Course options
Starting
Typical offer
BBCView all entry requirements
Course overview
Curious about the structure of chemicals and the reactions they have with one another? Interested about how chemistry is applied across a range of forensic science disciplines? Enter the fascinating world of Chemistry with Forensic Science at Kent to gain the knowledge and practical skills in aid of tackling the challenges of the 21st century - from drug design and analysis to understanding the science that underpins and supports crime scene investigation.
Our distinctive course provides a carefully curated set of ‘chemistry in context’ modules where you will apply your skills and knowledge to interesting case studies and in the solution of real-world chemical and forensic science problems.
Accreditation
This course is fully accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
Accreditation
Why study Chemistry (Forensic Science) at Kent?
A professional placement
Your Chemistry degree opens the door to lots of exciting careers; taking a professional placement year helps you discover some of those options.
Put theory into practice.
Study a wide range of modules from core chemistry concepts to how it canhelp build a better world with an introduction to chemistry and the environment.
Be inspired.
Our lecturers are innovative teachers and active researchers: Professor Jennifer Hisco*ck is in a team that created a material that can stop supersonic impacts.
Take a global view.
Spend a year studying abroad at one of our partner universities. We currently have links with institutions in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia.
Discover where you can go.
Get hands-on experience.
You'll use industry-standard equipment from the start of your degree.
Everything you need to know about our Chemistry (Forensic Science) course
Entry requirements
Typical A level offer
BBC
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Click below to find out more.
Course structure
You get to grips with the broad base of knowledge on which chemistry is founded, before further developing your knowledge of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry and your practical laboratory skills. In your final year you complete a research project.
How you'll study
This course combines innovative teaching with extensive practical sessions, where you can apply your knowledge.
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Entry requirements
Typical offer levels
Our typical offer levels are listed below and include indicative contextual offers.If you hold alternative qualifications just get in touch and we'll be glad to discuss these with you.
- UK
- International
Typical A level offer
BBC
Typical BTEC offer
DMM
Typical IB offer
112 Tariff points, Typically H5, H5, H6 at HL including HL Chemistry, Biology or Physics at 5
Additional requirements
BBCincludingChemistry, Biologyor Physics at grade B
The University will consider applicants holding/studying BTEC Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) in Applied Science at DMM.
112 Tariff points, Typically H5, H5, H6 at HL including HL Chemistry, Biology or Physics at 5
Mathematics grade C or 4
Other qualifications
N/A
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates. for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above. A typical offer for stage 1 would be: Access to HE Diploma 45 at level 3 Credits with 18 credits at Distinction and 24 credits at Merit and contain at least 12 Level 3 credits in Chemistry. A science programme including Chemistry Level 3 credits would be required.
The University welcomes applications from international students. Ourinternational recruitment teamcan guide you on entry requirements. See ourInternational Studentwebsite for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of scienceready for undergraduate study, we offer aFoundation Year programme which can help boost your previous scientific experience.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advice about applying to Kent, you canmeet our staffat a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English language entry requirementsweb page.
Examples:
IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English Language
IB Standard Level Grade 5 or above in English A: Language and Literature
A Level Grade C or above in English Language or English Literature.
Please contact the School for more information at studynats@kent.ac.uk.
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What you'll study
Plot your course. Discover the modules you'll study on your Kent journey.
The following modules are what students typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3
Stage 1
You'll work on the foundations of chemistry, before further developing your knowledge of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry alongside important practical laboratory skills.
Compulsory modules currently include the following
Fundamentals of Chemistry
Chemistry and the Environment
Organic Chemistry 1: Structure and Reactivity
Inorganic Chemistry 1: Periodicity and Metals
Physical Chemistry 1: Energy and Rates
Experimental Chemistry 1
Stage 2
In addition to core chemistry modules, you will immerse yourself in modules that provide specialist forensic science knowledge and application.
Compulsory modules currently include the following
Analytical Chemistry 1: Methods and Validation
Biochemistry: Biomolecules and Enzymes
Organic Chemistry 2: Molecular Synthesis
Inorganic Chemistry 2: Organometallics and Main Group
Applied Forensic Practice and Archaeology
Practical skills in Chemistry and Forensic Science
Stage 3
You take all compulsory modules then choose either FSCI6010 Fires and Explosions or FSCI5003 DNA Analysis & Interpretation. Aongside your modules, you also complete an independent research project.
Compulsory modules currently include the following
Analytical Chemistry 2: Advanced Methods
Organic Chemistry 3: Advanced Synthesis
Chemistry Research Project
Chemistry for the Analysis of Trace Evidence
Contemporary Forensic Practice and the Expert Witness
Optional modules may include the following
Fires and Explosions
DNA Analysis & Interpretation
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How you'll study
Lectures
Seminars
Tutorials
Independent Study
Workshops
Lab Work
Teaching and assessment
There are approximately eight one-hour lectures each week, and in addition laboratory classes, project work and problem solving seminars.
Assessment is by a combination of written examinations, continuous assessment and other assignments. You must pass the Stage 1 examinations in order to go on to Stage 2. The year in industry mark also counts towards your final degree result.
Coursework assessments include practical laboratory skills, presentation skills as well as essay and report writing.
Contact hours
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.
Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Programme aims
Forcourse aims and learning outcomesplease see thecoursespecification.
Fabulous facilities.
Join Forensic Science student Rish*ta as she takes us round the labs and Crime Scene House used by students at Kent.
Your future
You'll graduate with an excellent grounding in scientific knowledge andextensive laboratory experience, as well as a toolbox of transferable skills highly sought after by employers. These include excellent communication and problem-solving skills; the ability to work independently or as part of a team; analytical thinking; and effective time management. Typical graduate destinations include:
- Concept Life Sciences
- GSK
- Ministry of Defence
- Pfizer
- Reckitt
- SG Technologies Ltd
- teaching.
Discover what you can do with your Chemistry degree.
Preparing you for your future.
Whether you're keen to start a career in industry or want to move on to postgraduate study, we'll support you to reach your goals.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
The 2025-26 annual tuition fees for UK undergraduate courses have not yet been set by the Department for Education.
Full-time
UK
TBC
International
TBC
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
Your fee status
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process.If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice fromUKCISAbefore applying.
Students will require regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. Please see information about the minimum computer requirements for study.
Find out more aboutaccommodation and living costs, plusgeneral additional coststhat you may pay whenstudying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding pagefor more details.
Scholarships
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
arrow right Search scholarshipsOver to our students.
Next steps
Ready to apply?
Applying to take a Chemistry (pathway) course
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you mustapplyfor this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS andyou do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
To study Chemistry (Forensic Science) BSc you first apply to the Chemistry BSc. Your pathway modules will begin at stage 2.
International applications
You canapply directlyto Kent if you pay international fees, live outside the UK orIrelandand haven’t previously applied through UCAS and don’t intend on doing so.
If you decide to apply direct to Kent, there will be no application fee.
Apply direct to Kent
Alternatively you can apply through UCAS as above.
Need help deciding?
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