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Foundation courses/Sciences courses/Year Zero Lab Sciences (Integrated with Forensic Science)

Key facts

Entry requirements

48

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

BLS3

Institution code

D26

Duration

4 yrs full-time

Four years full-time integrated with Forensic Science BSc (Hons) Degree

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

See all the key facts

Entry requirements

48

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

BLS3

Duration

Four years full-time integrated with Forensic Science BSc (Hons) Degree

See all the key facts

Launch your forensic science career with expert support, full university access, and a direct route to a professionally accredited BSc (Hons)/MSci degree.

The initial year of this course is taught by DMUIC, which occupies a single, specially-designed site in the heart of the DMU campus. As a DMUIC student, you will have full access to all the university’s facilities including the library, gym, bookshop, cafes and computer labs. During this year, you will be taught in small class sizes by experienced tutors, receiving excellent academic teaching and superb support to ensure that you get all the help you need to succeed and progress to the Forensic Science BSc (Hons)/MSci degree.

The first year of this full-time, four-year course is ideal for careers in the medical and healthcare professions or laboratory science, but do not have the relevant grades to study Forensic Science at degree level. You will be taught the core skills in chemistry, biology, mathematics, IT and communication, providing you with the key requirements needed to study Forensic Science BSc (Hons) at DMU.

Once you have successfully completed the year zero stage of your degree at DMUIC and have met the criteria for continuation, you will continue studying directly with the university on our Forensic Science BSc (Hons) degree - a course which is professionally accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and developed in collaboration with Leicestershire Police, ensuring your learning remains relevant to current practice and standards.

Key features

  • Direct progression on to the Forensic Science BSc (Hons)/MSci programme at DMU following successful competition of the Year Zero programme.
  • You will study a range of topics including human biology, cell biology, chemistry and biochemistry and their relevance to health and life sciences in the wider context, as well as communication skills.
  • Learn from experienced tutors, who combine academic teaching excellence with high levels of support to help you succeed.

Related courses

Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)

Forensic Science BSc (Hons)/MSci

Medical Science BMedSci

Year Zero Lab Sciences (Integrated with Biomedical Sciences) BSc (Hons)

Year Zero Lab Sciences (Integrated with Medical Science) BMedSci

Year Zero Lab Sciences (Integrated with Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Sciences) BSc (Hons)

What you will study

  • Human Biology
  • Basic Microbiology
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Study Skills 1 - Introduction to DMU
  • Study Skills 2 - Information Technology & Numeracy
  • Study Skills 3 - Communication Skills
  • Cell Biology
  • Chemistry 1
  • Chemistry 2
  • Introductory Biochemistry

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

You will be taught by experienced tutors, receiving excellent academic teaching and superb support to ensure that you get all the help you need to succeed.

Each module in your Year Zero programme of study has different methods of assessment related to what you are expected to learn (learning outcomes) on that particular module. This means that you should see a clear relationship between the learning outcomes in your module handbook and the assessment task you are being asked to do.

Types of assessments

Assessments come in three main forms:

  • Diagnostic assessment allows you and your tutors to see your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus your efforts more effectively (e.g. your tutor may ask you to complete a task in class which you can then ‘mark’ yourself and see where your strengths and areas for focus lie).
  • Formative assessment allows your tutors to give you feedback which you can use to improve (e.g. you may be asked to write a report for one of your earlier assignments). You will be a given a mark and feedback for this which you can then use to improve your report writing in a later assignment or exam question.
  • Summative assessment in which your grade or mark counts towards your final module mark (e.g. an exam at the end of a module).

In order to ensure that you can achieve your full potential, you will receive regular feedback on your assessed work. Feedback will be given in a variety of ways: written, verbal, audio-visual, email and so on. Feedback has one purpose - to assist you in reflecting upon and revising your work. If you do not act on feedback, or choose not to engage in the different feedback opportunities, your grades are likely to suffer.

For all assignments submitted on time, our aim is to mark and return your work within 20 working days. Your tutors will make every effort to ensure that this target is met.

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Our facilities

Hawthorn Building

Home to students and staff from Health and Life Sciences courses spanning pharmaceutical, healthcare, lab based and social science disciplines.

The facilities and spaces in the Hawthorn Building are designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from expert academic and technical staff.

Recently renovated, the Undercroft offers dedicated break out spaces and study spaces allowing for collaborative and interprofessional learning beyond the classroom.

Hawthorn Building - Magazine Square Entrance
Hawthorn Building is located in the centre of campus just 5 minutes from the city centre.
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Technical staff are on hand to guide students throughout their course.
Midwifery students have access to specialist facilities and staff
Midwifery students get hands-on experience
Nursing facilities in the building and others on campus, allow our students to learn in clinical settings.
A student in the state-of-the-art diagnostic X-ray suite, a space to learn a range of practical radiographic skills
Bertec Computerised Dynamic Postuography (CPD/IVR) uses the latest technology in graphics and sensors to enable greater depth in our assessment of people who experience dizziness.

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Where we could take you

Graduate careers

Graduate careers

Our graduates go on to work in a variety of areas including law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene and scientific support work, analytical chemistry, general scientific analysis, health and safety, and the insurance industry.

Forensic Science graduate Lauren Dougan was “ecstatic” when she landed her dream job working for ALS Food & Pharmaceutical, the UK's leading provider of food and drink testing services.

Lauren, who hopes to progress within the company and possibly study for a master's, said: “The best thing about my job is it allows me to transfer all the skills I learned at DMU and apply them to a real-world situation.”

Other graduates from this course have gone on to work for world-leading forensic science employers including LGC Forensics, Orchid Cellmark, GlaxoSmithKline, Reckitt Benckiser and 3M.

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Course specifications

Course title

Year Zero Lab Sciences (Integrated with Forensic Science)

Award

BSc (Hons)

UCAS code

BLS3

Institution code

D26

Study level

Foundation

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

Four years full-time integrated with Forensic Science BSc (Hons) Degree

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Entry requirements

Maths and English Language GCSE at grades C/4, or above

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no element at lower than 6.0, or equivalent (by end of YZ)

A Levels

48 UCAS points from at least two A Levels at grades EE. One subject must be either Biology or Chemistry.

BTEC

Applied Science BTEC accepted at 48 UCAS points or above

T Levels

Pass in Science T Level with a grade D or E on the core

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Contextual offers

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find out more about contextual offers.