I’m confident that the contents of the average of forensic science degree would be beyond overkill for training a SOCO.
Oh I totally agree that you do not need a degree to work as a SOCO, a PC that has finished their probation can transfer to that unit. However there are other roles within forensics in the police and to progress to more senior roles in that sector a degree is necessary, specifically a science related degree. Although, I'm specifically referring to the Met, I'm not sure about other police forces.