Question 1

What is the difference between forensics and criminology?

Accepted Answer

Criminologists explore the psychological and social factors that lead to crime. Their focus is the ‘why’ of criminal behaviour. Forensic professionals step in after a crime has been committed. Their focus is the ‘how’, ‘when’ and ‘what’. Both are crucial in identifying the ‘who’.

Learn more about the fields of criminal psychology vs forensic psychology.

Question 2

What will I learn in a forensics course?

Accepted Answer

Forensics courses cover a wide range of topics, so the details of what you’ll learn will depend on your chosen course.

Broadly, you can expect to graduate from an online forensics course with an understanding of:

forensic mental health
investigative best practice
courts and corrections
forensic crime and crime trends
forensic science

Question 3

What if I’m not sure forensics is right for me?

Accepted Answer

If a course in forensics doesn’t feel like the right fit, consider what elements of the field appeal to you. Then explore the following options:

I want to…	We recommend exploring…
understand the psychology of crime	criminal psychology courses and criminology courses
work in policing, corrections, or crime prevention	criminal justice courses
bring justice to those impacted by crime	law courses
work in a lab	biology courses and chemistry courses

Need a hand finding the right course for you? Our friendly student advisors offer personalised advice so you can enrol in the course that’s right for you. Book a call today.

Question 4

Why should I study forensics?

Accepted Answer

If you work in forensics, no two days are the same. Your work might involve supporting police at crime scenes, conducting evidence analysis in a lab, and providing expert testimony in court.

The field of forensics is wide. If you’re not ready to commit to a full course in forensics, you can explore single subjects to find the specialism that’s right for you.

Question 5

Why should I study an online forensics course?

Accepted Answer

An online forensics course is an excellent option if you need to balance your study, job, and caring responsibilities, or you just want to study from the comfort of your own home.

Choose from a forensics degree or start small with single subjects or a short course.

Question 6

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
We’ll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

Question 7

How will a forensics course prepare me for real-world investigations?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the forensics course you choose, you’ll learn how to analyse ballistics, collect DNA, examine fingerprint evidence and more. These are practical skills you’ll need for a job examining crime scenes or analysing evidence.

Question 8

What career opportunities are available in forensics?

Accepted Answer

With a course in forensics, you could find work as a:

forensic accountant
forensic scientist
forensic psychologist
forensic toxicologist
forensic chemist
forensic anthropologist
pathologist
crime scene investigator

Question 9

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Accepted Answer

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

Question 10

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Forensics courses

Introduction to Forensics