The PGCert / Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) / MSc in Contemporary Alcohol & Drug Studies adopts a critical social science perspective to explore the interplay between psychoactive substances and society.
You will be introduced to a range of cross disciplinary theories, concepts and evidence to analyse:
We critically examine substance-related harms for individuals, families and communities and how harms are mediated by gender, class, race and ethnicity. We pay particular attention to the social, economic and political contexts of inequality and risk environments and how issues such as housing, homelessness and welfare state reforms may contribute to harms.
We also assess the influences of the alcohol industry; the drugs economy; and prohibition on policy and practice, and engage with current debates on alcohol and drug law reforms nationally and internationally.
A key feature of the Contemporary Drug and Alcohol Studies (CDAS) programme is its exploration of current global developments in responses to substance use and its critical evaluation of the evidence for behaviour change, treatment outcomes, harm reduction and recovery.
The course provides a supportive, inspirational and transformative learning experience and encourages you to develop a high-level understanding of the research evidence in the field and harness this knowledge for policy and practice.
Successful applicants are eligible to apply for a bursary from the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) to help with their costs.
Society for the Study of Addiction Bursary Information
The PGCert / PgDip / MSc provides you with a unique opportunity to link theory and practice by engaging in work-based learning in a practice (drug/alcohol service) or research setting. This maximises your employability prospects. A variety of external organisations are involved in our work-based learning, including:
Experiential learning is an important feature of our course, allowing you to apply elements of class-based learning to the work place. If you are keen to pursue a career in research or doctoral study, you may opt to participate in a research work-based learning experience.
Being a clinician, I found that the course helped broaden my knowledge base and my views. The reading material for the first year modules was particularly interesting. The experience of conducting a research study with an experienced supervisor was invaluable.
Saket Priyadarshi, Clinician
“It’s a really interesting course and will spark so many ideas and connections for you. I learned a lot about critical thinking and analysis of qualitative data, which has been incredibly useful in research projects I have since led in my work roles.”
Rowan Anderson, Project Lead, Corra Foundation
Join us at a Postgraduate Open Evening or Online Information Session in 2026 to learn about our postgraduate programmes and find out if UWS is the right place for you!
Upcoming Postgraduate EventsWe welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
You are required to hold an Honours degree (minimum 2:2 classification) within the broad area of the Social Sciences or an Ordinary bachelor’s degree with significant and relevant work experience.
If you do not meet these standard entry requirements, you may be admitted to the programme at the discretion of the programme Admissions Officer/Programme Leader to complete the PgCert in the first instance. However, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient relevant professional or practice-based experience.
In particular circumstances you can use evidence of relevant professional experience to support applications.
For more information on non-standard or RPL, please contact us on 0800 027 1000 (freephone within UK) / +44(0)141 849 4101 (outwith UK) or at ask@uws.ac.uk
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. UWS courses available are:
There are three distinct stages to the CDAS programme - Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc:
CORE AND OPTION MODULES
Masters Dissertation Module:
Distance Learning students attend online tutorials on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Note: Distance Learning students who are employed full-time should enrol as ‘part-time’ students to complete the programme over two years.
A range of teaching, learning and assessment methodologies are used, including:
Our course emphasises inquiry-based learning where you are encouraged and supported to develop your critical thinking and communication skills by engaging with your peers in class based and online group work. You are also supported to develop your independent and autonomous learning activities. The modules employ a range of assessment methods and formative exercises with timely feedback to assist you in developing and deepening your knowledge and skills.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
ASSESSMENT
The assessments cater for a range of learning styles and skills, and include:
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
If you are already employed in services our course provides specialist knowledge of theory and contemporary evidence-based developments in the field and is useful for career advancement and continuing professional development.
Students graduating with MSc may apply to study for a PhD in alcohol and drug studies. Supervision teams with a high level of expertise across a range of subject areas are available to support doctoral students on their research journey.
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£13,070 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£13,290 Total cost for PgDip
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£2,210 per module (20 credits)
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£13,950 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£6,430 Total cost for PgDip
£13,950 Total cost for PgDip
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£2,330 per module (20 credits)
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) postgraduate tuition fee and living cost loans may be available for eligible (Scottish/EU) students. Check SAAS website for more information. Many of our students who attend on a part-time basis secure funding support from their employers.
Successful applicants are eligible to apply for a bursary from the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) to help with their costs.
All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.
The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.
Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.
Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.
An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.
For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Our friendly admissions teams are here to help!
International prospective students
Our international team is ready to support you with your application and any questions about joining UWS from abroad.
UK-based prospective students
If you’re applying from within the UK, our applicant enquiry team is here to guide you every step of the way.
With cutting edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, we aim to develop research outputs that have a tangible, early and positive impact on society across the globe.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.