FD Forensic Investigation

If you are applying to start in September 2023, you must meet the following entry requirements:

5 GCSE grades C/4 or above, including English, Maths and Science and 88 UCAS points, which should be from a related subject in one of the following:

• A Levels
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
• IB Diploma
• Access to HE
• Related work experience
• Overseas qualifications are judged to be equivalent to the above

Students who do not qualify by any o these qualifications may be offered an interview to discuss equivelant qualifications and previous experience.
We accept A Level General Studies and AS levels when combined with other full qualifications.
If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS score of 6.0 or above or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Mature students or students who do not have the above qualifications can contact our admissions team on 01733 214466 or admissions@ucp.ac.uk to discuss equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.

EU STUDENTS AND OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS

We can accept a wide range of overseas qualifications and use UK NARIC to compare qualifications. For advice about overseas qualification conversion call the Admissions Office on 01733 214466 or email admissions@ucp.ac.uk.

UCAS TARIFF

To find out more about UCAS tariff points and how they work, visit ucas.com/tariff-calculator.

We accept a wide range of qualifications such as A-levels (you must have grades for at least two A-levels), BTEC, Cambridge Technicals, International Baccalaureate (IB), NVQ Level 3, Access to Higher Education and Scottish Advanced Highers.

The tariff points for qualifications can be added and combined together (e.g. A-levels plus BTECs).

The UCAS points for A-level General Studies, AS-levels and the EQP (Extended Project Qualification) are accepted when combined with other full qualifications.

ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APCL) FOR ENTRY

APCL relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study. If you have previously completed a course which is relevant to your proposed course you should make this clear when you apply. For this to be eligible for consideration you must be able to provide certification, which shows your success in a final assessment for that course. Learning must be completed in the last five years or further evidence of updating will be required. Simple participation in a course or an attendance certificate is not sufficient.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)

We offer students flexibility in their studies, by recognising learning they may have completed elsewhere before they apply. The Accreditation of Prior Learning process ensures that we can take this into account when determining the modules you must study. It is important that you identify any relevant prior learning when you apply. If your previous study specifically relates to modules on the course you wish to undertake we may approve a reduced programme of study, thus shortening the time it takes to obtain your award. Where this relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study, this is called Prior Certificated Learning, and where learning has been achieved through relevant work or experience, this is referred to as Prior Experiential Learning. Claims must be approved before you commence a course.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APEL)

It is important to understand that the APEL process does not award academic credit for experience alone, but for learning which can be shown to have been achieved through that experience. Students are required to prepare an individual case for the credit arising from their learning experiences. This normally means that a student receives support in the preparation of a portfolio, which evidences their claimed exemptions for entry. This portfolio of evidence is then submitted for assessment and the possible award of academic credit. Alternative methods of assessment of evidence may be available but needs to be discussed with the Admissions team or Course Leader.

You must take modules worth 120 credits at each level of the course. Each module is worth a specified number of credits.

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

• Introduction to Forensic Techniques (15 credits)
• Academic Skills (15 credits)
• Introduction to Criminal Justice (30 credits)
• Introduction to Policing (15 credits)
• Introduction to Fingerprint Techniques (15 credits)
• Introduction to Body Fluids and DNA Techniques (15 credits)
• Crime Scene Recording (15 credits)

Final year for full-time students (Level 5)

• Evidence Based Policing and Crime Prevention (15 credits)
• Crime Scene Investigation (15 credits)
• Major Crime Investigations (15 credits)
• Cyber Crime Investigations (15 credits)
• Research Methods (15 credits)
• Working in the Criminal Justice Sector (15 credits)
• Police Investigations (30 credits)

A typical 15 credit module is 150 hours which includes 36 hours of tutor led delivery and 114 hours of recommended independent study. A typical 30 credit module is 300 hours which includes 72 hours of tutor led delivery and 228 hours of recommended independent study. A full-time student should expect to undertake 30 additional hours per week during term-time.

When studying this course at University Centre Peterborough, we will timetable your lectures as two full days a week over two semesters per year (part-time will be one to two full days a week over two semesters per year).

We are able to offer this convenient timetabling to our students as we are a smaller institution so we can timetable our staff and resources more efficiently.

Over the duration of your course, teaching will be delivered by the following methods:

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

50% Lectures
25% Seminars
25% Workshops

Final year for full-time students (Level 5)

50% Lectures
25% Seminars
25% Workshops
There are two semesters per year and each semester is up to 15 weeks which includes up to 12 teaching weeks and 3 assessment weeks.

If studying full-time you will be in classes, seminars and tutorials for approximately 15 hours per week and will spend the rest of your time in independent study and extra-curricular activities including work placement if not embedded in your course. We recommend that full-time students allow an additional 30 hours per week for additional study.

The campus is open Monday to Friday throughout the whole year and open until 9pm from Monday to Thursday during term time. You will also have 24/7 access to a virtual learning environment (VLE) with e-books, journals and abstracts plus teaching resources and interactive tools.

Timetables are available at least one month before registration and you can refer to the academic calendar for examination weeks and resit periods.

The days of the week you study may change each year and in some circumstances one of the full days might have to be split into two half days, but we aim to keep these as full days where possible.

Throughout the duration of your course you will be assessed by the following methods:

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

• 50% Coursework
• 20% Written Exams
• 30% Practical Exams

Final year for full-time students (Level 5)

• 50% Coursework
• 20% Written Exams
• 30% Practical Exams

We will provide, by the beginning of the first week of each semester, a current module guide with all the information you need for each module, including details of assessment tasks, the deadlines for these tasks, the required format and any relevant guidance.

Formative assessment opportunities are written into all module plans to provide students with on-going feedback. End of semester assessments will have formative opportunities in weeks 9 or 10 of the semester. In addition revision sessions will be held in week 12.

When a student has achieved 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5 they become eligible for a foundation award. The award classification is determined by calculating the credit weighted arithmetic mean of the module results for all modules at level 5. The following classifications are determined by the above calculation:

70%+ Distinction
60-69% Merit
40-59% Pass
0-39% Fail

A Forensic Investigation student who has achieved 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5 has three options.

They may choose to accept their foundation degree, with the classification calculated as described above, and cease their studies.
Alternatively they may choose to apply for the level 6 BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation course as a new student in order to achieve a second qualification based solely on their level 6 credits.
Visit our published documents and policies page for The Open University regulations.

As the course is timetabled as full days during the week when studied full-time, this also gives you the flexibility to find a work placement, internship or volunteering opportunity which will improve your employability after you graduate. All students are encouraged to identify work experience to aid their career development.

Rob Stewart

“I am the Course Leader for the FdSc and BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation degrees at University Centre Peterborough. I started lecturing at University Centre Peterborough in 2016 and use my industrial experience in Crime Scene Investigation and Photography to bring a ‘real world’ perspective to the course.

I am highly experienced in my specialised field as I have 12 years’ experience as a Crime Scene Investigator for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which saw me work on many major incidents and high profile cases while attending over five thousand crime scenes. I also have eight years’ experience as a freelance motorsport photographer making photography in any situation second nature to me.

From an early age, I’ve always had a fascination with science and technology and combining this with the artistic element of photography is something I really enjoy. When my free time allows I still enjoy photographing motorsport events and keeping up to date with the advances in forensic science.”

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Behavioural Science, Leicester University
Diploma in Crime Scene Examination, Durham University

After successful completion of the FdSc Levels 4 and 5, you have the opportunity to complete the Level 6 of the BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation course to obtain a full honours degree with a further year of study.

Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:

Police Community Support Officer
Prison Officer
Border Force Officer
Immigration Officer
Scenes of Crime Officer (CSI)
Intelligence Development Officer (MoD)
Traffic Examiner (DVSA)
Forensic Vehicle Examiner