Substance Use (Online)

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to achieve the following objectives.

• Evaluate and criticise theories and concepts expressed to account for substance use and assess how these have informed the development of substance use policies and intervention.
• Apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront and current issues of UK and international policy approaches to substance use.
• Appraise and critically evaluate major international and local approaches to practice with a focus on partnership working to address the complexity of substance-related problems.
• Critically review approaches to working with different groups of substance affected individuals and families and the implications these may have on individuals and communities.
• Use up-to-date evidence-based practice and policy research in the field of substance use and appraise information to formulate new understandings and creative solutions to the substance problem.
• Demonstrate independent critical and reflective thinking in relation to the use of evidence in shaping and developing research.
• Assess and reflect on the ethical underpinnings of research, policy and practice.
• Communicate, using appropriate methods, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise, including peers, more senior colleagues and specialists.
• Demonstrate leadership and/or initiative and make an identifiable contribution to the field of substance use through the critical assessment of evidence to conduct a literature review and/or design research.
• Reflect on personal, professional and societal values and the ways these might impact on the development of drug policy and practice.
• Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in time management and academic activities and take responsibility for own work.
• Adopt the position of active global citizens who are socially, culturally and environmentally aware of the complexities of the substance use problem and its implications for substance affected individuals and families and communities.

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

The Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research is hosted at the University, and course staff are part of the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, as well as International Societies.

When you study for a MSc Substance Use at the University of Stirling, you’ll be introduced to leading-edge empirical and theoretical research in a vibrant, multi-disciplinary environment.

Underpinning the expertise of our staff, the University of Stirling scored highly in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) – a UK-wide assessment of universities’ research output. In the Social Work and Social Policy unit of assessment, University of Stirling was ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 25 in the UK, with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our research deemed world-leading or internationally excellent.

A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

International entry requirements

View the entry requirements for your country.

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

You’ll develop a range of skills which will significantly enhance both your confidence and employability in the field of substance use.