Advanced Forensic Practice (Adult Sexual Offence and Custody)

Study options

Award

Key facts

Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Part-time, blended learning, January start
Study option:
Part-time, blended learning, January start
Duration:
3 Years
Duration:
2 Years
Start date:
24 January 2022
School:
School of Health and Social Care

First in the UK

This innovative course is the first of its kind to be run by a UK university

Accredited course

Successful Postgraduate Certificate students will also receive a UKAFN ASET certificate

Dual facilities

We have unique healthcare, crime scene and courtroom facilities

Our Advanced Forensic Practice MSc is the first course in the UK that meets the United Kingdon Association of Forensic Nurses and Paramedics (UKAFN) Advanced Standards in Education and Training (ASET) within forensic practice. The ASET standard is also badged by the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFLM). Our course is designed by and for health professionals, who are tasked with forensically examining alleged victims of sexual assault, gathering and recording evidence for court.

With court cases relying on forensic evidence, there’s an increasing need for health professionals such as nurses to carry out forensic examinations of alleged victims of sexual assaults.

This innovative Masters course provides an in-depth training and understanding of how to gather and record relevant forensic evidence, which can be presented in court. You'll be provided with the fundamental principles of forensic science along with being assessed in giving oral and written evidence for court.

The course has been designed for and by health professionals in collaboration with experts from our School of Law. You’ll be able to take advantage of our unique facilities, including a full-size mock courtroom, and a crime scene house with CCTV and an observation room.

With court cases relying on forensic evidence, there’s an increasing need for health professionals such as nurses to carry out forensic examinations of alleged victims of sexual assaults.

This innovative Masters course provides an in-depth training and understanding of how to gather and record relevant forensic evidence, which can be presented in court. You'll be provided with the fundamental principles of forensic science along with being assessed in giving oral and written evidence for court.

The course has been designed for and by health professionals in collaboration with experts from our School of Law. You’ll be able to take advantage of our unique facilities, including a full-size mock courtroom, and a crime scene house with CCTV and an observation room.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Advanced Forensic Practice (Adult Sexual Offence and Custody)

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgDip Advanced Forensic Practice (Adult Sexual Offence and Custody)

Course content

The course is module-based and can be studied part-time over three years, leading to a Master’s degree.

You will gain the legal, forensic and clinical knowledge and skills to work with victims in an evidence-based manner, with the aim of becoming a competent witness in court.

Course content includes assessment of competency in examining victims of sexual assault, aftercare needs and understanding the evidence base related to sexual assault, assessment of competency in examining detainees, and being responsible for their physical and emotional wellbeing while in custody.

If you require specific knowledge and skills that are not included in our course structure, you are able to negotiate credit-bearing modules with your course leader at other Higher Education institutions.

The course is module-based and can be studied part-time over three years, leading to a Master’s degree.

You will gain the legal, forensic and clinical knowledge and skills to work with victims in an evidence-based manner, with the aim of becoming a competent witness in court.

Course content includes assessment of competency in examining victims of sexual assault, aftercare needs and understanding the evidence base related to sexual assault, assessment of competency in examining detainees, and being responsible for their physical and emotional wellbeing while in custody.

If you require specific knowledge and skills that are not included in our course structure, you are able to negotiate credit-bearing modules with your course leader at other Higher Education institutions.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a first degree or equivalent recent academic work at either Masters or degree level.

You must be employed in an organisation where you are tasked with undertaking forensic examinations of alleged victims of sexual assault victims

You’ll need to identify a Preceptor (Assessor) in your workplace who’s able to assess your clinical competencies.

You must hold an appropriate registration with either the HCPC or the NMC with at least 4 years post registration if a nurse or 2 years if a Paramedic.

You’ll need a first degree or equivalent recent academic work at either Masters or degree level.

You must be employed in an organisation where you are tasked with undertaking forensic examinations of alleged victims of sexual assault victims

You’ll need to identify a Preceptor (Assessor) in your workplace who’s able to assess your clinical competencies.

You must hold an appropriate registration with either the HCPC or the NMC with at least 4 years post registration if a nurse or 2 years if a Paramedic.

Facilities

Libraries

We have Libraries and Service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. All have experienced and friendly staff who can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and even help with referencing.

Some libraries are open 24/7 at key times in the academic year and we have a 24 hour help line too.

Careers

The course is designed to support health professionals and develop advanced practice skills within their current role. 

There’s also the option for further academic research upon completion of the MSc.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you'll:

  • Work with others on reconstructions in our crime scene house
  • Be assessed at a live scene in our court room
  • Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you'll:

  • Work with others on reconstructions in our crime scene house
  • Be assessed at a live scene in our court room
  • Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments, also called formative and summative.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module - these might include practice (practical) assessments, essays, exams, portfolios or Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that contribute to your final mark. Your competencies will also be assessed in your practice areas.

There are two types of assessments, also called formative and summative.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module - these might include practice (practical) assessments, essays, exams, portfolios or Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that contribute to your final mark. Your competencies will also be assessed in your practice areas.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects, alone or in a group
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework
  • Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects, alone or in a group
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework
  • Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

Fees

For the course starting on 24 January 2022 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £2,685 per year of study

For the course starting on 24 January 2022 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £2,685 per year of study

The expected study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 90 credits in your first year of study and the other 90 credits, in your second year of study. Following this pattern of study you will pay the same fee for each year of study.

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to a discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact Graduate Relations.

Included in the fees:
  • Suits and equipment required for forensics are included in your fees
  • Suits and equipment required for forensics are included in your fees
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,222 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Scholarships and additional funding

Nurses may be able to obtain bursaries from the Royal College of Nursing.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MSc Part-time, blended learning, January start 24 January 2022 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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