MRes Investigation of Death

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

You will develop transferable skills in independent thought, critical analysis, evidence evaluation, research design, professional communication and the ability to analyse complex and unfamiliar problems. These skills are relevant to a wide range of professional contexts in which deaths are investigated, reviewed, regulated, litigated, recorded, prevented or learned from.

Graduates of the MRes Investigation of Death programme will be well-prepared for further academic research and for professional development across coronial services, law, policing, healthcare, forensic services, public administration, regulation, policy, research, education and related sectors.

The programme is particularly suitable for those whose current or future work involves death investigation, inquest processes, serious incident review, evidence, accountability, safeguarding, organisational learning, public protection, or the prevention of future deaths.

What can I do with this qualification?

Alternative career options

Graduates of the MRes Investigations of Death programme will develop a wide range of advanced research skills and specialised knowledge in death investigations, forensic science, and medico-legal practice. This qualification can open doors to a variety of professional pathways. However, some of these roles may require additional training, professional accreditation, or practical experience, depending on the specific career path chosen.

• Academic Research Assistant
• Research and Development Technician/Assistant
• Consultancy
• Coroner's Officer
• Medico-Legal Researcher
• Death Investigation Specialist
• Criminal Justice Researcher
• Academic Researcher or Lecturer
• Forensic Casework Supervisor
• Forensic Science Technician
• Forensic Evidence Analyst
• Human Identification Specialist
• Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Officer
• Forensic Policy Advisor
• Medico-Legal Consultant
• Mass Fatality Incident Coordinator
• Death Certification Officer
• Forensic Records Manager
• Research Analyst (Forensic Science)
• Case Review Specialist
• Investigative Researcher
• Specialist Trainer in Death Investigations
• Compliance and Ethics Officer (Medico-Legal)
• Expert Witness Consultant
• Specialist in Human Remains Recovery
• Quality Assurance Officer (Forensics)
• Project Manager (Forensic Research)
• Cold Case Researcher
• Victim Identification Specialist
• Legal Research Assistant (Medico-Legal Cases)
• Forensic Research Coordinator
• Mortuary Operations Manager
• Evidence Handling Specialist
• Forensic Data Analyst
• Academic Tutor in Forensic Studies
• Specialist Advisor (Post-Mortem Practices)
• Policy Researcher (Death Investigations)
• Independent Forensic Consultant
• Technical Writer (Forensic Publications)
• Lecturer in Medico-Legal Studies

Home/EU Fees

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £5,664 for the academic year 2026/27.

International Fees

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay an Overseas fee of £17,500 for the academic year 2026/27.

Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.

Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.

Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

The programme will be delivered using a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face delivery sessions with online and practical work as appropriate. A range of learning and teaching methods will be employed, including (face-to-face or online) lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, guest speakers and master classes. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student, comprising background reading, online activities, assessment work, and preparation for sessions.

Assessment methods
The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to ensure that students achieve the overall aims and learning outcomes of the programme, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. Assessment serves several functions. Assessment is used to evaluate your achievement; however, assessment also serves to help students organise and develop their learning. Feedback from assessment serves an important educational function and can help students develop their skills and understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses.

The types of assessment students will be required to complete fall into two general categories, formative and summative. Formative assessments are activities that do not contribute to students' overall module grade. They are, however, an integral part of the learning strategy for a module, and students are required to complete them. Students will receive feedback on their level of achievement; this may take a variety of forms. Summative assessments are those assessment activities for which the marks will contribute to the overall module grade. Students will also receive feedback on these assessments so that they will know what they have done well and where they can improve.

Many different forms of assessment are employed on the programme. For both formative and summative purposes, the major forms are: coursework; reports, case studies; oral presentations, research proposals and an extended project.

Learning Activities
A range of learning and teaching methods will be employed, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, assessment work and preparation for sessions. The course is taught by a core team of specialist lecturers.

Assessment will be by a combination of coursework and practical exercises, such as the preparation of presentations and posters. A final research project will form part of the assessment. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student, comprising, for example, background reading and online activities. This programme adopts a blended style of learning and teaching, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.