Computer Science (Digital Forensics)

Keele University

Dive into the intriguing world of forensics, discover how crime scene science operates within the UK legal system and learn the techniques and processes that allow the recovery, trace and capturing of digital data. Our Computer Science (Digital Forensics) programme blends a solid foundation in computing, mathematics and programming with the technical and analytical skills to make an impact in the fight against cybercrime. With dedicated professional development and employability modules, and the opportunity to spend time in industry, we’ll support you to develop the practical, technical and communications skills sought by employers.

What is digital forensics?

The field of digital forensics has experienced significant growth in the last few years due to the rapid pace of technological development and its use in crime. From mobile devices to the internet, cybercrime creates significant financial losses to companies and threatens national and international security.

Given the ongoing need for industry to be concerned with identifying, reporting and responding to security breaches, our Digital Forensics programme will enable you to locate and analyse evidence, conduct digital forensic investigations, undertake research to solve problems, write reports about your findings and compile evidence that would stand in a court of law.

Course overview

From the start of your journey with us, you will gain a robust grounding in computational problem-solving skills, programming and fundamental mathematics, to equip you with the skills required for further study. You will also begin to explore the fundamentals of forensic science as a professional discipline in the context of the crime scene and common forensic evidence. You will learn the skills, protocols, and methodologies that are used when gathering evidence in a variety of forensics settings and see how crime scene science operates within the UK legal system - honing skills related to ethics, integrity, and respect, as well as digital readiness.

Building on these foundational topics, you will explore current and emerging areas in the field, including data science, artificial intelligence and software engineering. You will strengthen your knowledge in digital forensics by exploring the principles of a digital forensic investigation, how evidence is collected, the tools used to analyse data, and details of operating systems, mobile devices, the internet, and the law.

You will graduate with a wide variety of subject specific and transferrable skills across many areas including problem solving, computational thinking, team working, management and modelling. By choosing the digital forensics pathway, you will also learn the principles of a digital forensic investigation, how evidence is collected, the tools used to analyse the data, focusing on different areas, such as operating systems, computer and mobile devices, the internet, and the law.

The opportunities for graduates with computing skills are continuously growing. Many of our graduates move into employment that is directly computing-related, for example as systems analysts, software engineers and consultants. A number of graduates go on to study for higher degrees in a wide range of subject areas.

Jobs related to your degree include:

Cyber forensic investigator

Digital forensics analyst

Security analyst

Senior consultant, digital forensics

Senior digital forensics and incident response

Foundation year

Studying a Foundation Year, for whatever reason, offers an alternative route to Keele, and provides a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree. That extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, build your confidence.

Duration of study

3 years o