Warning over forensics degree tag - graduate jobs

Universities must be careful not to mislead students over forensics courses that may leave graduates "with no real prospect of jobs", a watchdog has warned.

Forensic science regulator Andrew Rennison told the Commons Science and Technology Committee that putting the word "forensics" in front of a course title such as chemistry led to a 10-fold surge in applications.

He told MPs that currently some 5,500 students are studying forensics at UK universities.

But some academics have branded the practice immoral as students would be left with "no real prospect of jobs", he told them.

Mr Rennison said: "I think we've got to be very guarded that we're not making false promises to graduates that can not be met, but it's a good thing to have more science graduates, the country needs them."

He told the MPs: "If you struggle to fill your chemistry degree course nowadays, put the word 'forensics' in front of it and you'll get 10-fold applications.

"So forensics is a very fashionable thing and it does bring people in.

"I've had one very experienced professor in this field actually say what we're doing is immoral, we're offering people degrees and training with no real prospect of jobs at the end of it.

"However, it is putting people through good science training, and we do need more scientists. A lot of people who finish their forensics degrees actually go off and work in other industries. It's a mixed picture."