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Queen's University Belfast

Substance Use & Substance Use Disorders

The overarching aims of the PG Cert, PG Dip and Masters in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders is to enable professionals from a range of sectors working in substance use, mental health and related fields to build on their existing knowledge and skills and to use them effectively within their current work environment. It also aims to develop and the participants' understanding of the range of theories informing substance use, and to assist workers to translate these theories into effective practice. These learning objectives will ultimately enrich the lives of individuals, families and communities who are in receipt of services provided by the

The programme will have a pragmatic focus and this will enable practitioners to learn about a range of multi-disciplinary assessment tools, methods of interventions and the necessary skills to work with substance use across a range of settings. Substance use problems permeate work with a range of service user groups, from the more obvious groups, i.e. working with substance use and mental health, to working with children and families, learning disability offenders and older people.

You can study flexibly by working around your professional duties. These programmes have been accredited by the Northern Ireland Professional in Practice Education and Training Partnership.

Candidates will be afforded the opportunity to take each of the three modules of the programme of study as a stand-alone module (20 credits) or collectively to obtain the PG Cert in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).

These will include:

Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders : Prevalence, Legislation and Theoretical Concepts
Substance use Disorders and Co-morbid mental health disorders
Substance use and Substance Use Disorders : International Contexts.

Please note that this course is not eligible for a Tier 4 visa.

Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders highlights

For Social Work candidates only the Certificate meets all six of the professional requirements in the 'Specialist' category in the Professional in Practice framework, and on completion candidates will be conferred with the Specialist Award.

Professional Accreditations
•The Social Work postgraduate programmes have been accredited by the Northern Ireland Professional in Practice Education and Training Partnership and offer a range of professional awards and requirements at the consolidation, specialist and leadership levels.

Career Development
•Professional Development For multi-disciplinary applicants the programmes offer relevant CPD opportunities as well as recognised qualifications accredited by the University which will augment their professional development and enhance the development of further opportunities in their chosen field of practice.

Student Experience
•The PG Cert programme is taught by a number of highly skilled academics and practitioners who are currently working or researching and teaching in substance use disorder settings. This marriage of pragmatic skills based knowledge with corollary evidence based learning will greatly enhance the student learning experience.

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements

Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant subject. Equivalent qualifications include the Pre-2007 Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work.

Social workers seeking entry to the programme must:

a) Be registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC);

b) Hold an Honours Degree in Social Work (2.2 or equivalent), Diploma in Social Work, CSS, CQSW or predecessor equivalent. Social Workers trained outside of NISCC jurisdiction must produce a letter of comparability with these awards or a letter of verification issued by NISCC;

c) Have completed the Assessed Year in Practice or have at least one year post- qualifying experience if graduated prior to the AYE implementation.

Non social workers seeking entry to the programme must:

a) Have two years' experience of working with clients who have experienced substance use or mental health issues.

Applicants who do not satisfy the above but who are holders of an equivalent approved professional qualification or work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year part-time

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects

Introduction
Continuing professional registration in all areas of health and social care is predicated on continuing professional development..

The Department of Health has highlighted that health, social care workers and social workers demonstrate their competence covered in the curricula of the Social Work postgraduate programmes.

Subjects taught

Course Structure

The MSc in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders is a module Masters programme whereby students can complete the PG Cert in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders and then have the option to enrol on the PG Dip and subsequently to enrol on a Masters by thesis module.

The Pg Cert in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders is awarded to students who successfully complete three 20 credit taught modules.

Core Modules (20 CATS points each)

Assessment method

Assessment

Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

Assessment methods include written assignments case study material based on candidates' practice.

A variety of assessment methods for the Certificate will be used including written assignments, a reflective analysis on how the student applies relevant theory to their practice in two different cases and an assignment critically reflecting on how the student has enhanced the practice of colleagues drawing on the knowledge in this module.