MSc / PgDip Substance Use (Online) at University of Stirling

A fully online MSc and PgDip examining substance use, its policy and practice, and its impact on individuals, families, practitioners and communities. Students may study full-time or part-time and can tailor the course with elective modules in public health, social policy, criminology and housing.

Duration: MSc full-time 12 months, MSc part-time 24 months, PgDip full-time 9 months, PgDip part-time 18 months  |  Intake: September 2027  |  Study mode: full-time / part-time (online)  |  Location: Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Study covers alcohol and drug theory, policy and interventions at local, national and international levels, addiction, treatment and harm reduction, and social research methods, with a final project on a chosen topic. Modules are delivered online through recorded lectures, five live seminars per module and e-activities, and are assessed by coursework.

Career pathways

Roles in health and social care (NHS services, community recovery projects), local authority public health and community safety teams, third sector treatment providers and advocacy groups, government and NGO policy and evaluation, and academic research. Graduates have worked as Alcohol and Drug Partnership Co-ordinator, Recovery Worker, Policy Officer and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

Official programme page