- Entry requirements
- ATAR:
more entry options - Study mode
- Full Time Part Time
- First year fee (domestic)
- $12,360
- Full course fee (domestic)
- $12,360
- Full time duration
- 0.5 year
- Murdoch code
- C1131
The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.
Course overview
If you have a degree in science, or a relevant bachelor's degree, this course will give you the skills you need to help in criminal investigations. Alternatively, if you are already a Police or Forensic professional, you’ll be able to upskill or attain a university qualification in your field.
Choose any four of eight postgraduate forensic coursework units where you will to reconstruct crime scenes as you learn to collect, process and interpret biological, chemical and physical evidence.
Build your expertise in specimen preparation, sources of contamination, quality assurance, statistical interpretation and the admissibility of evidence as you learn to prepare and deliver courtroom testimony.
Units completed in this course count as course credit for our Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Professional Practice), so you can graduate with a Graduate Diploma with just four more units of study. We also offer a 1.5 year Master of Forensics (Professional Practice) that you can use the units completed in this course as credits for as well.
3 reasons to study a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science at Murdoch
- Learn to apply real forensic techniques through experiencing multiple crime scene rooms on and off campus. The crime scenes are equipped for different crime scenarios and bloodstain pattern interpretation.
- Get valuable field experience at our Murdoch University Whitby Falls Farm, where you’ll process a simulated large-scale homicide and a clandestine grave incident for evidence.
- Take advantage of our strong links with industry including the Western Australia Police, Australian Federal Police, PathWest (Forensic Biology), ChemCentre (Forensic Division), Defence Science and Technology Group, Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC), Western Diagnostic Pathology (forensic toxicology) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Develop your skills
Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you’ll cover include:
- Bloodstain pattern analysis
- Chemical criminalistics, including forensic toxicology, trace analysis, illicit drug identification and HAZMAT scenes
- Digital, cyber and emerging forensic disciplines
- Forensic anthropology and archaeology and clandestine grave examination
- Fingerprint and impression evidence
Your future career
You’ll graduate with the specialised skills you need to work with the police, national security and defence or other investigative authorities. Careers could include:
- Crime Scene or Forensic Investigator
- Forensic Biologist
- Forensic Chemist for Police, Fire and Emergency services
- Forensic Analyst
- Forensic Researcher (universities or government organisations)
You could also find work in pathology laboratories (such as toxicology, molecular diagnostics or paternity testing) or set up your own private consultancy.
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Admission requirements
English Requirements
You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.
This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.
Plan your course
Explore the sample course structure below to get an idea of what your degree could look like, or take the next step in planning your degree:
Use the Course Visualiser - build your personalised study plan interactively
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
|---|
Fees & Scholarships
Fees
The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.
Scholarships
How to Apply
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
- Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
- Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
Recommended documents (if applicable)
- Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
- Change of name documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
Your document checklist
Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.
Compulsory documents
- Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
- Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
- Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
- Genuine Student documents (if applicable) - Check the GS requirements page for further information
- GS Form 2
- Personal Statement (SOP)
- Up to date Curriculum Vitae
- A copy of your Passport
Recommended documents
- Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
- A copy of your visa documents (if available)
- A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
- Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
- Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
- Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
Apply through an agent
If you’re applying as an international student, our global network of agents will help you get started on your journey.
Apply directly to Murdoch
If you are a non School leaver, you can apply for most undergraduate, honours and postgraduate courses directly through our online application system.
View all ways to apply
There are many ways to apply to Murdoch University as we know everyone has a different path and journey. Get started and take the next step.
All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.
The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.
For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.
Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.
The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.
The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.
All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.