Forensic Science Courses: Eligibility, Subjects, and Colleges & Universities

Right after your school finishes, the world becomes all yours to explore. And just like any other student you would want to try everything and pounds up on every opportunity that comes your way and makes voices in your life that will help in your both personal and professional growth. By engineering and medicine still remains the most opted fields or options that student seem to think the first of, people have started taking into consideration a career in forensic science which might also be a good opportunity for them. The idea of forensic science as a field was primarily introduced by Sherlock Holmes and if a student has interest in that career in forensic science might be of their possible interest. This article contains all the information that you need to know about forensic science as a career after your 12th.

What exactly does forensic science mean?

An interdisciplinary branch of science, forensic science is a perfect by the nation of the essence and highlights of all the science subjects that include subjects like chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics. The major part of this field involves the recognition, identification, examination and testification of any kind of physical evidence that are found in crime scenes. Law enforcement and crime fighting is the combination under which forensic scientists are expected to work. This field requires extra efficiency, unbiasednesss and accuracy in the work that is done by the forensic scientist and the modern judiciary system also relies heavily on the work expertise and capabilities of this field.

Courses that are included in forensic science

The path to becoming a forensic scientist includes lot of education and knowledge in the field that is gained by pursuing courses of this field. The forensic science courses are offered to students after that 12th at various levels like undergraduate graduate and doctoral levels and the Universities and institutions across the globe are offering the same. Given below is a table that includes all the courses of forensic science in India and across the world:

Level of education	Courses	Duration of the course
Undergraduate	BSc in forensic scienceBachelor of applied science in forensic studiesBachelor of accident forensicsBachelor in forensic investigationBachelors in criminal justiceBachelor of lawsBachelor of criminologyBachelor of foreign 6 years	3 years
Post Graduate	MSc in forensic scienceMSc in forensic psychologyMSc in forensic scienceMasters in forensic behavioural scienceMasters of philosophy information science	2 years
Diploma	Diploma in forensic medicine for instant diplomaThis is an online course	Might range from 3 months to 6 months to upto 1 year

Eligibility criteria for forensic science courses

It is extremely important to know and check the complete eligibility criteria before applying for any forensic science course after your class 12th. There are a few important points that need to be kept in mind which are given below:

• Student must have qualified his or her class 12th with BiPC subjects from a recognised board.
• A good score in IELTS, TOEFL, etc. that are the English language proficiency exams.
• However, some universities in India may also need the candidate to have qualified entrance exams like OUAT, GSAT, NEST, CG, PAT, BHU UET, etc.

Subjects in Forensic Science

There are various sub subjects under the Forensic Science course which include Forensic Pathology, Psychiatry, Odontology, Psychology, Forensi Medicine and many more. There is a list of subjects included in Forensic Science like:

• Forensic biology
• Forensic photography
• Forensic ballistics
• Forensic physics
• Forensic toxicology
• Crime and investigation techniques
• DNA isolation
• Analytical chemistry
• Cyber forensics and law
• Questioned documents
• Instrumental chemistry

Colleges in India that offer forensic science courses

There is a wide range of college in India that offer courses in Forensic Science. List of them is given below:

• Banaras Hindu University
• Amity University
• Gujarat University
• Apex University
• Parul University
• Gujarat University
• Pondicherry University
• Lovely professional University
• SGT University, Gurgaon

Colleges abroad that offer forensic science courses.

There is a wide range of colleges and Universities abroad that offer courses in forensic science after class 12th. Given below is the list of top forensic science colleges in the world.

• University of Cumbria
• London Metropolitan University
• University Sains Malaysia
• University of Kent
• University of Canberra
• Deakin University
• CQ University Australia
• Abertay University
• Southern Utah University
• Griffith University

BSc Forensic Science

The most popular and the probably the best course in forensic science after class 12th is BSc Forensic Science. This course is 3 year long and deals in the studies of human anatomy and physiolog. the specialisations under this course include Document Verification, Handwriting Analysis, Criminall Photography, etc. that will come in handy for students while they are solving crimes and will also help them in being equipped with essential understandings of the same. The table given below includes the syllabus of BSc Forensic Science:

• Crime scene investigation
• Crime and socio cultural
• Wound and its medico-legal aspect
• Blood pattern analysis
• Communication Skills
• Forensic anthropology
• Personal identification
• Behavioural science
• English
• Introduction to toxicology
• Physical evidence in forensic science
• Fundamental introduction to chemistry
• Criminal behaviour

Detailed syllabus of BSc  Forensic Science.

After having discussed the aspects of bsc forensic science it is also important to understand the complete curriculum of the course. Given below in the table is the detailed year wise syllabus of the same:

Year 1 :

Forensic science laboratory experiment	Crime and social culture	Criminal behaviour
Physical evidence in forensic science	Behavioural science	Introduction to criminology
Psychological factors	Crime scene investigation	Blood pattern analysis

Year 2:

Forensic anthropology	Photography	Introduction to toxicology
Benzidine test and blood analysis	Classification of poisons on their effect on human body	Typewriting and handwriting analysis
Fundamental introduction to chemistry	Behavioural science	Analysis of biological fluids

Year 3:

DNA fingerprinting	Personal identification	Wound and its medico legal aspects
Ballistics classification of firearms	X-ray diffraction techniques	Arson explosion investigation
Classification of firearms related evidence	Microscope: compound microscope and simple microscope	Collection of firearms related evidences

Further studies options after forensic science course.

There is quite decent range of postgraduate degrees that one can pursue after completing their BSc in Forensic Science. The post graduation degree is last for 2 years. Some of the postgraduate degrees that can be pursued for a career in forensic science are:

• PG Diploma in Forensic Science
• MPhil in Forensic Science
• MSc Forensic Science
• PhD in Forensic Science

Specializations under the forensic science courses.

There are various specialisations under the forensic science courses available for the students:

• Forensic serology
• Forensic toxicology
• Forensic chemistry
• Forensic entomology
• Forensic biology
• Forensic botany
• Forensic ballistics

Entrance exam for Forensic Science, 2026.

Given below is a list of top Forensic Science entrance exams in 2026:

• AIFSET 2026 : July 18, 2026
• IUET 2026 : Applications will open in March
• JAIN ENTRANCE EXAM : February 22, 2026
• SUAT EXAM 2026 : June 10 to June 17, 2026
• LPUNEST 2026 : Application will open in January, 2026

Career scope after Forensic Science

There is a wide range of career opportunities that open up after having pursued a course in Forensic Science for a student. In the list given below, there are few career prospects available to a student:

• Forensic scientist
• Law consultant
• Forensic engineer
• Crime scene investigator
• Crime reporter
• Investigative officer
• Legal counsellor
• Forensic expert
• Handwriting expert
• Researc

Salary after a course in Forensic Science.

Depending on the difference in carrier profiles the salary of a Forensic Science expert varies in India. In the private sector Forensic Science jobs offer around 3 to 4 lacs per annum for graduates who have just entered while professionals were experienced can earn upto rupees 6 lacs per annum. 

In the government sector of India the jobs in forensic science can bring up to salary packages of 50000 to INR 100000 per year for graduates who have just entered and can keep increasing with time.

Frequently asked questions about forensic science.

Q.What are the basic qualifications that are required for pursuing forensic science?

A.the basic qualifications that are required for forensic science differ according to to undergraduate or graduate level. like if a student wants to pursue BSc in forensic science then he or she must have completed the 10 + 2 with science subjects and in case they want to pursue MSc in forensic science then  bachelor degree in forensic science or in the related field is necessary.

Q.What is the scope of forensic science as a career in India

A.the scope of forensic science as a career in India has increased over the years and candidates who have completed their courses in forensic science can expect a high salary job in the government sector while working with the crime department in medical centres. The candidate also have an option of working in the private sector with health care centres and increases as well.

Q. Which is the best course in forensic science?

A. There is a wide range of options that the students can choose from for pursuing a forensic science course. The best and the most opted courses in the field of forensic science are:

• MSc in forensic psychology
• Bachelor of criminology
• BSc forensic science
• MSc forensic science
• Bachelor of forensic science bachelor of laws

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