Thread: Information on Forensic Science?

Hello,
I am currently in my final year of secondary school, year 11, and just sitting my final exams for GCSE. I am extremely interested in Forensic Science, but not sure which avenue to pursue yet.

I don't know where I would need to study a degree (as I assume from the multiple websites I have searched on that I will need a degree in Forensic Science/Biology/Chemistry) and was wondering if anyone could help me.

I should finish my GCSEs with I believe 11 GCSEs, near enough all B or above (B in Biology and Chemistry, I'm retaking my B in Maths, hopefully to get an A, and I'm pretty much on an A for physics currently, if that's of any use? And I'm hoping to get an A for English Lit & Lang, but I will definitely at least get B's in them). I am hoping to take Biology, Chemistry, English Literature and ICT at A Level, and drop ICT at the beginning of the second year.

Are my A Levels wise choices, and if so, what should I do next in regards to hopefully following a career in Forensic Science? Would work experience be a good idea, and where would be best to do it?

Thank you for any replies Sorry if I've forgotten anything!

Mmm, See most "Forensic Science BSc Honors Degrees" ask for English at GCSE, so I just assumed it would be useful to have an A Level in it, perhaps that was a misjudgement on my behalf.
I wish my careers adviser at school was worth going to.. She does near to nothing. Perhaps I will just have to try harder to research for myself.

Thank you for the reply

For myself, and taking into account the fact that everything I know about forensic science comes from drooling over watching Abby in NCIS, wouldn't ICT be useful?
Then again, as someone who's had to deal with the training of new intakes (in a different field), I can only applaud your choice of English given that so many fresh victims school/ uni leavers seem to be sadly deficient in their own language...

Hahah, I do have a guilty side for all of the good Forensic Dramas. I am going to take ICT at A Level, I'm currently on an A* at GCSE (bit of a nerd.. Mum wants me to work within ICT, but I'm interested in Forensics, much to her disappointment). But I thought I'd drop it in the second year, leaving it as an AS Level, rather than a whole A Level. I'm still undecided.

In regards to English, I do enjoy it. I completely agree, with the fact I see students older than me with awful grammar and spelling.. It does make me penitent of my own generation.

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated. I suppose there's still lots for me to ponder over..

I would search through the national papers / scientific magazines / interwebs / etc. for job vacancies in forensic science.
You should then be able to get an idea of what kind of qualifications are preferred.

Thank you, can I get those magazines from most newsagents/big shops like tescos? Or do I have to order specific science magazines?

Ah okay thank you.About the GCSEs, that won't be a problem. I'm aiming for all 11 of my GCSEs to be above a B grade and so far so good.Regarding A Levels, that's what I'm still unsure about. I'm taking Chem, Bio for definite. I don't know about my two others, that's why I was querying English and ICT, and whether those would be suitable.. However it seems that it's quite difficult to find a university which offer Forensic Science degrees. Possibly because I'm looking in the middle of the school year, and perhaps it would be better to look nearer August/September time

That's great, thanks! After I get a reply ill post it here for anyone else, or future reference.

As well as what PhDemon was suggesting, you can also type "forensic science vacancies" in to Google and that should give you some useful links.

That sounds like a great idea, thank you.
I have found a campus in which I would feel comfortable traveling to, and have spoken to my parents. The London SouthBank seems like a course I'd be interested in enquiring into. I shall be emailing them within the next few minutes.

Thank you all for all your help, it's been really useful, I'm super grateful.