Forensic Investigation with Foundation Year Canterbury Christ Church University

Overview

The course in Forensic Investigation with Foundation Year from Canterbury Christ Church University is designed to cement your confidence in the foundations of key forensic and scientific principles as well as study skills. These will be needed to help you progress through the rest of your degree studies.

Why study Forensic Investigation with Foundation Year?

A career in forensic investigation is challenging, exciting and rewarding, and it requires people who are inquisitive, resilient, dedicated, good at problem-solving and enjoy working in a team.

Our course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to forge a successful career in forensic investigation, working with the police, a forensic provider or any other investigative or intelligence agency, for example, the Home Office or HM Customs and Excise.

During the foundation year, you'll develop the study skills and self-confidence needed to start Year 1 of the degree. You'll learn about forensic investigation and forensic science and you'll study principles and concepts in biology and chemistry. 

As you progress through the degree, you'll gain a solid grounding in core areas of forensic investigation, such as crime scene investigation, forensic science and interpretation, and presentation of evidence. You'll also benefit from a significant amount of practical and laboratory work.

Throughout the course, you'll build your research skills and cast a critical eye over forensic investigation processes. We will support you with finding work experience and volunteering opportunities to help build your confidence and resilience, and enhance your CV. 

Your future career

This course provides an excellent grounding for any career that involves the collection, analysis and interpretation of evidence, as these skills are taught in core modules and transferable to many careers. The graduate (or key) skills that are routinely required by employers are embedded into the Forensic Investigation curriculum and therefore, graduates are normally able to evidence these skills, preparing them for a range of careers and this is evidenced by ex-students who have secured positions in forensic organisations, police forces, prisons, medical laboratories, schools, universities and many went on to do higher degree study.

One of our students volunteered for Kent Police for one year and was placed within the CID office during that time, thereby liaising with detectives and gaining first -hand experience of criminal investigation.

Several of our students have become special constable and are therefore operational police officers while doing their degree course, which provides invaluable experience and also provides them with the opportunity to network and apply for jobs advertised internally within the police.