Education Qualifications
If you are interested in becoming a forensic scientist, you will need to complete a relevant undergraduate degree. Prerequisites include a year 12 pass and one or more of the following subjects: English, maths, chemistry, geology, biology, and psychology.
Undergraduate degrees include a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Forensic Science, Bachelor of Forensic Investigation, Bachelor of Forensics, Bachelor of Applied Science, and a Bachelor of Technology, with majors including Forensic Science, Forensic and Biomolecular Science, and Forensic and Analytical Chemistry.
The toughest universities to enter in forensic science are Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Technology Sydney, and University of Western Sydney. These all require a tertiary entrance score of over 75. Other universities that offer bachelors in forensic science include Canberra University, Canberra Institute of Technology, Curtin University, Deakin University, Murdoch University, RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria University, Edith Cowan University, Flinders University, Bond University, and Australian National University.
We do however recommend you contact the relevant university you are interested in attending for more detailed information on courses available.
In terms of tertiary education, you may also want to consider degrees in areas of specialisation, which will help you enter the field in a specific area of forensic science. For instance, you may study biology, botany, chemistry, physics, dentistry or medicine. If you wish to study in these areas along with your degree in forensic science, contact the relevant university of institution for more details on course selection.
Honours and postgraduate studies such as Masters and PhD are highly regarded in the industry. You may consider continuing your studies to deepen your knowledge and make yourself more employable.
The entry criteria for tertiary institutions differs from year to year. The above comments are a guide only. To gain specific entry criteria, contact the relevant university or use Hobson's The Good University Guide.
Relevant Universities Colleges & TAFE
Careernav have trolled through all the universities, specialist colleges and TAFE’s across the nation to identify those courses we consider relevant to this career. We have only focussed on the core single degree and its full time period. We acknowledge many combination degrees are available and different students combine different degrees. Course names also differ by university and we have grouped like courses together. We may have missed the odd course being offered, so we recommend for a more detailed guide check with the universities direct or one of the university course guide books such as Hobson’s. Please note Careernav are totally impartial and do not recommend one tertiary institution over another. To view the A to Z of tertiary institutions that offer relevant courses for this career.
Promoting Tertiary Institutions
All tertiary institutions have an open invitation to make available their course outline using the ‘For Institutions’ tab in the footer section of each page. From time to time universities, colleges or TAFE will take up Careernav’s offer to promote their courses and make available ‘Course Outline’ for your consideration. When an icon appears, consider its relevance and download the Course Outline on the one that interests you by clicking “I would like to learn more” at the end of the course profile.
Our Privacy Policy confirms your contact details including your email address will remain in the strictest of confidence. If you would like your email details provided to selected tertiary institutions to talk further about the course you need to click the checkbox. Only then will Careernav invite the tertiary institution to accept your email address and facilitate contact between you and them.
About the Author
National Institute of Forensic Science
The establishment of a National Institute of Forensic Science was first advocated in a Committee of Inquiry Report to the Attorney-General of Australia in April 1974. The concept of an Institute was also recommended on several subsequent occasions, including by Sir Robert Mark in 1978.
In fact, the National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS) was established, as a National Common Police Service, under an Agreement signed by the Australasian Police Ministers' Council in 1991. NIFS commenced operations in February 1992. It is located in Melbourne, Victoria.
Did you know that a Polilight is the light source that is commonly used in forensic investigations?