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Help please I'm to stupid to help my son 🤣🙈

15 replies

Donut22 · 15/01/2024 21:10

So my son is doing his gcse this year. He wants to go into forensics. I understand this is via university but what we are struggling to find is courses for after his gcse. Does anyone know what courses would be good to look for at college/6th form that will then further him into university??
I hope that makes sense,
I'm clueless and want to help my boy x

OP posts:
Donut22 · 15/01/2024 21:11

Oh and I've obviously googled but it's just making more confused ha!

OP posts:
Alwaysanotherwine · 15/01/2024 21:12

my friend did forensics

any biology or chemistry is fine

beat in mind there are only about half dozen labs in country so he’d have to relocate

money isn’t great for graduate start but my mate enjoyed it and science degree won’t harm him

SausageRollsWithMustard · 15/01/2024 21:14

I would think science and possibly maths A levels then a degree in forensic science.

Lougle · 15/01/2024 21:15

If he wants to do forensic science then biology or chemistry (ideally both) and maths are great choices.

PermanentTemporary · 15/01/2024 21:16

Either biology or chemistry seem to be essential, both would be better. Maths a good idea.

FayCarew · 15/01/2024 21:18

Either biology or chemistry seem to be essential, both would be better. Maths a good idea.
Definitely

Donut22 · 15/01/2024 21:56

Thank you all for your replies xx

OP posts:
Alternat · 15/01/2024 22:05

PermanentTemporary · 15/01/2024 21:16

Either biology or chemistry seem to be essential, both would be better. Maths a good idea.

I think this sounds right too. I’d say biology and chemistry are a must.

But maths A level is a quite a jump from GCSE so it depends on how good he is at it and how much he likes it. Grades really matter to get into uni, so as long as he has the 2 sciences then his 3rd (and 4th if he chooses 4) probably ought to be subjects he is really good at and will get good grades in.

igivein · 15/01/2024 22:08

Tell him to aim for a straight science degree (NOT forensic science) then do a masters in either whichever science he did his degree in, or forensic science.
The days of the old Home Office labs are long gone and there are lots of service providers - some better than others, so he’d need to research job opportunities when he gets to that point.
A lot of the independent providers specialise in one particular area (so DNA or marks & impressions). Just because they’re small it doesn’t mean they can’t be excellent so he shouldn’t rule them out.
Also, if he’s into computers, digital forensics is growing exponentially, so he may want to explore that via a computer science degree. You can do digital forensics degrees that are really good and lead into excellent jobs, but you need to check out the credentials of the lecturers - have they actually worked in the field / do they have (court recognised) expert status?

Tilllly · 15/01/2024 22:10

And school should be able to help

You are not stupid - and good on you for getting involved

baileybrosbuildingandloan · 15/01/2024 22:11

Make sure he understands that it is not crime busting excitement, and that much of it is spent working their way through dust. That's if there's any vacancies.
CSI has a lot to answer for, as do Unis that churn out hundreds of Forensic Graduates every year competing fir a few vacancies. Oh but the unis get £27k in fees for each one so why should they care?
Hope he does well OP, but please help his dreams to be realistic and not pie in the sky.

Exasperatednow · 15/01/2024 22:12

My sister is a forensic scientist. Do a straight science degree, it's preferred to a forensic science degree. Biology and chemistry and physics/maths.

TheSquareMile · 15/01/2024 22:28

Donut22 · 15/01/2024 21:10

So my son is doing his gcse this year. He wants to go into forensics. I understand this is via university but what we are struggling to find is courses for after his gcse. Does anyone know what courses would be good to look for at college/6th form that will then further him into university??
I hope that makes sense,
I'm clueless and want to help my boy x

Which are his strong subjects at GCSE?

angstridden2 · 16/07/2024 11:29

School should have a careers adviser ,or at least access to one.Local colleges likewise. They should be able to advise on all forensic science careers pathways.

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