Forensic Ballistics

Entry requirements

A first or second class Honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such as a science, archaeology, anthropology, engineering, forensic science, materials, or the professional equivalent. Students with other degrees who can show a knowledge of and interest in the scientific elements of the subject will also be considered.

Months of entry

October

Course content

The MSc Forensic Ballistics course is part of the MSc Forensic Programme which is formally accredited by The Chartered Society for Forensic Sciences.

The course is highly practical and hands-on, aiming to produce a clear understanding of how firearms and ammunition function, the science of ballistics, the role of the forensic firearms examiner and how the forensic evidence produced in gun crime can be used to help resolve issues in relation to criminal and civil law.

The course consists of a one-week period of introductory studies followed by academic instruction in modular form. Most modules are of five days duration, interspersed with weeks devoted to private study. Students are required to take eight core modules and choose three elective modules based on their particular background, future requirements or interests. This is followed by a four-month research project and either a thesis or literature review and paper.

Information for international students

If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows:

• IELTS Academic - 7
• TOEFL - 100
• Pearson PTE Academic - 68
• Cambridge English Scale - 190
• Cambridge English: Advanced - C
• Cambridge English: Proficiency - C
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English III - minimum overall score of pass

In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test.

Fees and funding

Learn more at the fees and funding page.

In celebration of the £3.5m investment in the Forensic Programme at the Cranfield campus in 2020, Cranfield University are awarding five scholarships for each MSc degree on our world-leading Forensic Programme. Each scholarship awards a full-tuition fee waiver to cover the course fee. Find out more about the requirements on the Cranfield Forensic Institute Excellence Scholarship page.