Forensic Science but at a posh university

My DS was told by his school that there are the same number of forensic science jobs in the UK in total as the number of forensic science graduates each year.
Given that huge numbers do master's now, definitely best to keep it broad at undergrad.

What does she mean by forensic science? If she wants to be a pathologist she needs to do medicine.

If she wants to do forensic psychology a psychology degree would be a good place to start.

Alternatively she could do a degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, human sciences or natural sciences… and then an MSc in forensics.

I admire her direction... not many people know what they want to do.

My two cents:
I agree with the above saying Chemistry. What I found when doing my degree was that I actually didn't enjoy my 'planned' vocation. I did Biochemistry for my first degree and this is a nice broad subject giving access to medicine, genetics, environmental science, immunology... so I agree with those saying an 'intermediate' subject like Chemistry. I then did my Masters in something I really enjoyed and my PhDs and postdocs in degrees I truly loved and haven't looked back since.

BUT, if she REALLY knows she wants to go that route, yes university of Kent as it is supposedly the best because anyone in the field will also know that and will hire accordingly. If she's on the fence, then yes, Oxbridge as those names open doors in general.

AFAIK it’s ranked 3rd in the UK. But it’s still very good.

It’s more important that she looks at the various options available at each institution, to see which ones appeal to her. Has she any idea what type of job she would like to do? Forensics is a very broad field.

@HappyHamsters Thank you and yes, completely agree if she is serious about this as a career.

Your “ very academic “ daughter needs to grow up a bit and work out what’s more important to her - impressing her friends on social media or studying the subject / having the career she wants.

Being clever isn’t enough, she needs to be focussed and motivated. And to do her own research into the course that is right for her. Fair enough If she was 12, but I’m assuming that she is at least 16 years old if she already has GCSEs.

It seems a waste to do a forensic science degree. Your DD has very good grades. I’d encourage her to look at other options.

Yes, its ranked the number 1 in the UK which should be the priority.

Whats a posh university, whats more important to her.

If she wants to be a forensic pathologist she needs to train as a doctor.

Does the University of Kent still have a good reputation for forensic science?

Well she can do Forensic science or go to Oxbridge
Which would she prefer?

They're not posh universities. They're just universities. Stop that mindset right now, you do her and yourself a huge disservice with that attitude.

Secondly if she wants to be a forensic scientist she should study chemistry. Perhaps she could hone her career research skills a bit more...

Forensic chemistry normally requires higher grades. But if she wants Oxbridge she'll have to study something else as they don't offer 'newer' degree subjects.

Why not look at straight Chemistry degree (with an emphasis on analytical chem?) And then go o to a MSc in forensics if that's still what she's after.
AFAIK, forensics isn't often found at red brick unis, so either her course title needs to change, or her prefered uni selection needs to change.

Has your daughter researched how many jobs are available in forensic science? Thousands of students study it…yet there are incredibly few roles in it. Get her to research destinations of student on each course.