Bachelor of Forensic Science

Admissions information

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• Course description arrow_forward_ios

  As the first forensic science degree in Australia, the world-class UTS Bachelor of Forensic Science is recognised for producing future leaders in this compelling field of practice. More than just a theoretical science degree, this course delivers a comprehensive learning experience at the intersection of STEM, information technology, law, criminology and social impact coupled with specialist expertise in a choice of four in-demand forensic science disciplines: biology, chemistry, crime scene investigation, and digital forensic science.

  The course integrates core scientific or information technology subjects with specialist forensic science subjects. In every major, you'll complete core forensic science subjects that prepare you to engage with crime scene, laboratory, courtroom and intelligence processes. Within your major you'll gain technical skills, workplace readiness, and deep expertise in your chosen major, whether it's analysing biological traces, chemical substances, crime scenes, or digital data.

  You'll learn through a mix of theoretical study and practical application, using state-of-the-art facilities like the Superlab, specialist forensic facilities and Crime Scene Simulation Labs. Teaching is led by renowned academics and industry experts from the Centre for Forensic Science, ensuring your education is current and industry-relevant.

  By the end of the course, you'll have a comprehensive skill set, ready to tackle real-world forensic challenges and contribute to the evolution of the forensic science profession

  Course features

  • Students complete a series of common core subjects that underpin all undergraduate UTS Science degrees. Data, Design and Decisions and Scientific Perspectives for Global Issues are designed to equip students with a toolkit of technical and workplace skills, preparing them to thrive both at and after uni.
  • Choice of major:
  • In every major, students complete core forensic science subjects that prepare them to engage with crime scene, laboratory, courtroom and intelligence processes. Students then build specialist skills with a major in one of the following four disciplines:
    • Biology: The Biology major is focused on biological traces – blood, saliva, hair, bones, insects and animal/human remains – and what they reveal about the crime scenes at which they’re found. Learning includes everything from human anatomy and molecular biology to genetics, DNA profiling and biological criminalistics, among others, and students gain broad expertise that sits at the intersection of scientific theory and forensic practice. They also learn a range of techniques and methodologies to analyse and process biological traces, preparing them to deliver meaningful insights within and beyond the criminal investigation process.
    • Chemistry: This major combines scientific theory with hands-on forensic science application. With subjects spanning organic and analytical chemistry, forensic toxicology and chemical criminalistics, students learn to analyse and process chemical and non-biological traces found at crime scenes using a range of analytical and chemical techniques.
    • Crime Scene Investigation: This major prepares students to access and examine crime scenes and collect, record and analyse traces such as fingermarks, blood stain patterns, and shoe and tyre impressions. Curriculum combines specialist subjects in advanced forensic imaging and homicide/human remains investigation, among others, with theoretical learning in chemistry, microbiology, human anatomy, cell biology and more. Students learn to use contemporary CSI technologies, apply theory to practice in UTS’s crime scene simulation facilities, and emerge ready to pursue a career in the criminal justice sector and beyond.
    • Digital Forensic Science: As the world moves increasingly online, digital crimes like identity and financial theft, cyberattacks, fraud and extortion are on the rise – which means that skilled digital forensic specialists are more in demand than ever. The first of its kind in Australia, this major prepares students to collect, analyse and report data and digital information related to cyber-crime. Learning combines the study of hands-on forensic science with specialist subjects in cryptography, programming, web systems and data analytics, among others. Students learn to identify and make sense of digital traces in common online environments like social media and online banking and gain the skills to recover stolen or damaged data that could provide crucial insights into criminal activity.
  • Research subject: In the final year of study, students produce an original piece of research that responds to a real-world forensic science challenge. This subject equips students with practical research skills that are highly regarded by industry and can also provide a launching pad into an honours or master’s degree.
  • Free electives: Students can customise the degree to suit their personal or career aspirations. They can enrol in an international exchange, pursue a professional internship, or tailor their studies with a choice of subjects from any UTS faculty.

• Important dates arrow_forward_ios

  Find out more about application dates relating to this course

• Year 12 adjustment factor scheme arrow_forward_ios

  If you perform highly in your Year 12 subjects, your selection rank may be boosted by the Year 12 subject scheme.

  The scheme, which is automatically applied, awards selection rank adjustments to your application based on your marks in subjects that are relevant to the courses you have applied to.

• ATAR and selection ranks arrow_forward_ios

  Your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a score between 0.00 and 99.95. It shows you how you rank compared to all the students in your year group in New South Wales. A selection rank combines your ATAR with any other adjustment points that make up your overall university entrance score. Your selection rank may differ from university to university, depending on the adjustment points granted to you at each institution.

• Scholarships and prizes arrow_forward_ios

  Discover our scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Our scholarships celebrate diversity and academic excellence. Use the scholarship search tool to find the right scholarship for you.

  Scholarships for domestic students

  Scholarships for international students

• Transdisciplinary Electives at UTS arrow_forward_ios

  Employers tell us the skills our graduates acquire from undertaking a Transdisciplinary Elective sets them apart from the crowd. That’s why we have embedded this program into every undergraduate degree.

  All you need to do is choose the Elective that inspires you the most.

  Transdisciplinary Electives integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines, allowing you to approach complex problems from a range of perspectives.

  By combining methods and insights from various disciplines, transdisciplinary learning often leads to breakthrough ideas and creative innovations that may not be possible within the confines of a single discipline.

  If you find yourself rapt by the world of innovation – you can pair your core degree with a Diploma in Innovation, graduating with two qualifications in the same timeframe. 

  In both instances, you’ll work on a real-world challenge presented by an industry partner organisation – partners who often create career pathways for our graduates.

  * Excludes students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation.

• Course duration arrow_forward_ios

  Students can complete the course over three years, full time or six years, part time. Part-time students are required to attend some classes in daytime hours.

• Admission requirements arrow_forward_ios

  Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

  Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

• Domestic course fees arrow_forward_ios

  2025 Indicative tuition fees for government-supported domestic students

  All offers for domestic undergraduate students are for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).This means the Australian Government contributes to your education costs, and you pay the remaining tuition fees, known as the student contribution. If eligible, you can defer payment through HECS-HELP, or you can choose to pay your fees upfront each session.  

  2025 Tuition Fees

  Indicative first-year tuition fee:  $9,314.00

  Indicative total tuition fee:  $28,674.79 

  Additional Costs 

  Your tuition fees do not include: 

  • The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which supports student services and activities. If eligible, you can defer this fee using SA-HELP.
  • Textbooks, materials, and other course-related costs.
  • Any applicable payment processing fees (e.g., credit card surcharges).

  Important Information 

  • Fees are shown in Australian Dollars (AUD).
  • The indicative tuition fees above are based on full-time study (1 year = 48 credit points).
  • Your actual fees depend on the year you enrol, your study load and the subjects you choose. Some subjects fall into different student contribution bands.
  • You can calculate your student contribution based on the amounts listed in the student contribution table. 

• Inherent requirements arrow_forward_ios

  Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.

• Assumed knowledge arrow_forward_ios

  Mathematics; any two units of English; any two units of Science

  Chemistry and Biology are recommended.

• Professional recognition arrow_forward_ios

  Graduates of the Chemistry major are eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society.