Forensic & Investigative Sciences MPhil, PhD
24 monthsProgramme duration
16,700 GBPTuition Fee/year
02 Jul, 2026Application Deadline
Jan, Apr, SepStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Criminology
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Pursue your research studies with a pioneering group in analysis-based research and make a valuable contribution to scientific understanding and techniques in the forensics field. PhD candidates are encouraged to take an active role in the School's research community in areas of crime scene and evidence, forensic analysis and genetics.
Forensic science is well-established as a discipline at our University. We collaborate with many different investigative organisations including police forces and fire and rescue services, other universities and various forensic analytical services and companies. We have strong relationships with our partners and this allows us to explore, diagnose, understand and develop areas of knowledge to improve the many aspects of forensic and investigative sciences used in court.
You will be joining the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group, members of which include practitioners, consultants, professionals from the field and current researchers within chemical and biological forensic analysis, evidential scene analysis and interpretation.
We have a multidisciplinary academic team ready to support you in your research, working across several research areas within the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group including:
Our up-to-date analytical equipment includes advanced optical and electron microscopes, IR, Raman and X-ray spectrometers, GC-MS, GC, ion chromatography, HPLC, AAS, ICP-OES and XRD, and a stable isotope facility.
There will be opportunities to present your work and represent us at internal, national and international scientific conferences, and you will be fully immersed in the group’s research activities. We also encourage cross-discipline interaction with other research groups in our University.
In addition to our Forensic Science PhD, we've also identified a range of innovative research project opportunities for you as a postgraduate researcher.
Forensic science is well-established as a discipline at our University. We collaborate with many different investigative organisations including police forces and fire and rescue services, other universities and various forensic analytical services and companies. We have strong relationships with our partners and this allows us to explore, diagnose, understand and develop areas of knowledge to improve the many aspects of forensic and investigative sciences used in court.
You will be joining the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group, members of which include practitioners, consultants, professionals from the field and current researchers within chemical and biological forensic analysis, evidential scene analysis and interpretation.
We have a multidisciplinary academic team ready to support you in your research, working across several research areas within the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group including:
- Crime Scene and Evidence
- Forensic Analysis
- Genetics
- Pedagogy
Our up-to-date analytical equipment includes advanced optical and electron microscopes, IR, Raman and X-ray spectrometers, GC-MS, GC, ion chromatography, HPLC, AAS, ICP-OES and XRD, and a stable isotope facility.
There will be opportunities to present your work and represent us at internal, national and international scientific conferences, and you will be fully immersed in the group’s research activities. We also encourage cross-discipline interaction with other research groups in our University.
In addition to our Forensic Science PhD, we've also identified a range of innovative research project opportunities for you as a postgraduate researcher.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Criminology
Degree
PhD
Study Level
PHD
Study Mode
On Campus
Pursue your research studies with a pioneering group in analysis-based research and make a valuable contribution to scientific understanding and techniques in the forensics field. PhD candidates are encouraged to take an active role in the School's research community in areas of crime scene and evidence, forensic analysis and genetics.
Forensic science is well-established as a discipline at our University. We collaborate with many different investigative organisations including police forces and fire and rescue services, other universities and various forensic analytical services and companies. We have strong relationships with our partners and this allows us to explore, diagnose, understand and develop areas of knowledge to improve the many aspects of forensic and investigative sciences used in court.
You will be joining the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group, members of which include practitioners, consultants, professionals from the field and current researchers within chemical and biological forensic analysis, evidential scene analysis and interpretation.
We have a multidisciplinary academic team ready to support you in your research, working across several research areas within the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group including:
Our up-to-date analytical equipment includes advanced optical and electron microscopes, IR, Raman and X-ray spectrometers, GC-MS, GC, ion chromatography, HPLC, AAS, ICP-OES and XRD, and a stable isotope facility.
There will be opportunities to present your work and represent us at internal, national and international scientific conferences, and you will be fully immersed in the group’s research activities. We also encourage cross-discipline interaction with other research groups in our University.
In addition to our Forensic Science PhD, we've also identified a range of innovative research project opportunities for you as a postgraduate researcher.
Forensic science is well-established as a discipline at our University. We collaborate with many different investigative organisations including police forces and fire and rescue services, other universities and various forensic analytical services and companies. We have strong relationships with our partners and this allows us to explore, diagnose, understand and develop areas of knowledge to improve the many aspects of forensic and investigative sciences used in court.
You will be joining the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group, members of which include practitioners, consultants, professionals from the field and current researchers within chemical and biological forensic analysis, evidential scene analysis and interpretation.
We have a multidisciplinary academic team ready to support you in your research, working across several research areas within the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Research Group including:
- Crime Scene and Evidence
- Forensic Analysis
- Genetics
- Pedagogy
Our up-to-date analytical equipment includes advanced optical and electron microscopes, IR, Raman and X-ray spectrometers, GC-MS, GC, ion chromatography, HPLC, AAS, ICP-OES and XRD, and a stable isotope facility.
There will be opportunities to present your work and represent us at internal, national and international scientific conferences, and you will be fully immersed in the group’s research activities. We also encourage cross-discipline interaction with other research groups in our University.
In addition to our Forensic Science PhD, we've also identified a range of innovative research project opportunities for you as a postgraduate researcher.
Admission Requirements
176+
6.5+
120+
61+
88+
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
02 Jul 2026
2 Years
Jan
Apr
Tuition fees
Domestic
5,005 GBP
International
16,700 GBP
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