Thank you for choosing us!

We are sure that you have many questions, so we would like to reassure you that we have carefully designed your degree so that you receive important information at the times it will be most useful to you, in bite-sized chunks. We are always available during office hours if you have any questions or queries. Please contact us on forensic.investigation@canterbury.ac.uk for any advice or guidance you need. We will also alert you to some social networking, peer mentoring and taster sessions over the spring and summer months by email, so you can meet classmates and get a taster of what you are coming to learn.

You can also keep up to date with what is going on in our Faculty and count down to beginning your studies with us by following us on Instagram

The first time we will meet formally will be the week commencing 16th September 2024 when you will be invited to join a number of Welcome Activities to outline the key information you need to get started with your studies. You will receive more details from the University regarding this in due course. On completion of your Welcome Activities, you will be a fully-fledged member of the forensic investigation cohort, and in the week beginning Monday 23rd September 2024 the real work begins as you start your first three modules. You may feel a mix of excitement and apprehension but remember that everybody shares the same emotions, and the staff will offer advice and guidance to help smooth your transition to university.

There is no doubt that choosing to embark on a degree course is a big commitment in time, energy, and money. By working together, we can help you reach your full potential.

 

On the social side, the Student Union (CCSU) has a huge range of clubs and societies – all of which have unique social calendars of their own and offer endless opportunities to make lifelong friends and discover new hobbies. And you can always create your own society and cultivate your own community!

CCSU will be hosting their Welcome Fayre on Wednesday 18th September 2024. Make sure you keep checking the CCSU website for further details and how to get involved.

We understand that you may be nervous about your first few weeks on campus but rest assured - you'll be joining a nurturing and supportive environment where diversity, equality and individuality are part of everything we do.

You can find out more about our welcoming community and making friends.

If you are an International Student joining us then please see our International Student Support pages for further information and guidance.

 

Freshers’ Week and Welcome week: 16 September 2024. Don’t miss it!

First taught session: in the week commencing 23 September 2024

Given that you have worked very hard to get into university, we recommend that you use the summer to prepare yourself for your transition to higher education and take some time to relax and rejuvenate. However, if you are keen to get started, we recommend any academic forensic introductory textbook that suits your learning style.

Our first-year students particularly like:

• Cottrell, S. (2019) The Study Skills Handbook. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
• Jackson, A. and Jackson, J. (2016) Forensic Science. 4th Edn. Harlow: Pearson.
• Monckton-Smith, J.,Adams, T., Hart, A. and Webb, J. (2013) Introducing Forensic and Criminal Investigation. London: Sage.
• Saferstein, R. (2014) Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. 11th Edn. Harlow: Pearson.
• Tong, S., Bryant, R. and Horvath, M. (2009) Understanding Criminal Investigation. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
• White, P. ed. (2016) Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science. 4th Edn. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry.

You could also dive into the subject by watching crime documentaries and researching high profile crimes on the internet. Why not explore how forensic investigation was used in this case? The White House Farm murders, committed by Jeremy Bamber, have divided opinions on investigation and forensic searches for years. The Murders at White House Farm is a series based on this.