Biological and Forensic Sciences BSc (Hons) with foundation year
Study level: UndergraduateThis course combines the rich diverse study of biology and the living world, with the forensic challenge of using scientific analysis to investigate legal cases.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich
UCAS codes
CFDF
Start date
September 2024
November 2024
Course overview
Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.
Foundation year
This year offers an introduction to the subject and helps you develop the necessary skills for degree-level study. In addition, you will also explore key skills such as research methods, scientific fundamentals and promotion techniques.
Degree
This combination of subjects provides a broad perspective that is very appealing to employers.
Graduates are able to tackle challenges like the spread of infectious diseases and developing new treatments, and also practical problem-solving skills to analyse evidence from crime scenes.
The degree aims to:
- Enable you to apply critical thinking skills to assess and solve problems in biological and forensic sciences, considering different perspectives and ethical approaches.
- Develop your knowledge and understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of human health and disease, and of forensic science, including the criminal justice system processes and investigative practice.
- Provide a broad and varied educational experience, with experiential learning including a wide range of community and international contexts, and multidisciplinary real-world problems.
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 20225 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University RatingsTop 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
Foundation year
- Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
- Provides a grounding in key areas of biosciences.
Degree
- A teaching team of multidisciplinary experts from various subjects, including biologists, chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, forensic scientists, investigators and lawyers who bring their research and practical experiences into their teaching.
- Hands-on practical experience, both in the state-of-the-art Superlab+ and in the immersive crime scene simulation houses and outdoor search and decomposition facilities, so that you can confidently walk into a graduate job knowing that you have already used the same equipment used in hospital, commercial, police and research laboratories4.
- A 3D printing lab where you can learn to design and 3D-print your own creations4.
- Regular expert guest lectures from professionals in their field, who provide insight into the numerous employability options available2.
- Opportunities to study international cold cases and take a global approach to your studies with collaborative online projects and the possibility of international field trips2.
for graduate prospects (on track) in Forensic Science
The Complete University Guide 2023
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
The Royal Society of Biology
This course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) for the 2024/25 intake. This means that when you graduate you may be eligible to apply for professional registration with the RSB and then as a Registered Scientist (RSci) with The Science Council to receive accreditation1 (additional costs may apply).
Our Award-winning Green Superlab
With space for over 250 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.
Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?
Fees and funding
2024/25 tuition fees.
Foundation year
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £7,950 | Not available |
International/EU | Not currently available*** | Not available |
Degree
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International/EU | Not currently available*** | Not available |
Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.
If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.
Careers and opportunities
Highly multidisciplinary in its approach, the course brings together a wide range of key subjects. In biology, the course explores areas like biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, immunology, human physiology, and microbiology. Forensic science topics covered include blood spatter, fingerprints, toxicology, anthropology and taphonomy. This combination of the two subjects is unique in the field and gives our graduates a broad perspective that is very appealing to employers.
Graduates also gain hands-on experience of DNA profiling, as well as the digital fluency with databases and bioinformatics that underpins both areas of science. Students graduate with the knowledge to tackle challenges such as stopping the spread of disease, improving public health, as well as the practical skills and abilities to analyse, interpret and present evidence. This side specialism in forensic sciences also provides excellent tangible evidence of problem-solving, critical thinking, anti-contamination technique, good record-keeping, teamwork, interpersonal skills and professionalism.
Our students are equipped to pursue a wide range of careers. The extensive biology content supports employment in biological research and industry, including pharmaceutical, microbiology or food quality-testing laboratories, as well as medical and scientific equipment sales. The forensic science elements further broaden employment options, to include DNA analyst, DNA reporting officer and forensic scientist jobs. The multidisciplinary course prepares graduates for a wide range of careers, such as data analysis, scientific writing and teaching roles.
Where our graduates work
Our graduates have gone on to work in places such as Cellmark, Key Forensics, West Midlands Police and Metropolitan Police.
How to apply
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UK students
Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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International students
International codes:
How to apply
CHLSU248IFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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Disclaimers
Study location
The Foundation Year study route will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University.
If you choose to study at CU Coventry for your Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU Coventry. Mile Lane, Coventry. Subject to meeting requirements you will then transition to the relevant Coventry University subject faculty building for your progression degree.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
5Placements
Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure may be required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We, therefore, recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The university is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.