Substance Use (Taught)

The number of people affected by substance use in the UK is rising. Over 300,000 adults were in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services in 2023-2024 – the largest rise in adults in treatment for over a decade. The annual social and economic cost of alcohol harm and harm from illicit drug use in the UK is estimated at over £30billion (gov.uk).
Against this backdrop, there is a need for quality research about substance use. Our online Masters is the perfect next step for anyone looking to further their career in the field.
Enhance your expertise
Our flexible MSc Substance Use course enables you to study online around your schedule. Throughout the course you'll build subject expertise and develop skills in critical inquiry and research. You'll then learn to apply your knowledge to drive innovation and impact in policy, practice, and research related to substance use. You’ll explore:

• how current policy and practice impacts people who use drugs and/or alcohol;

• how substance use affects families, communities, practitioners and wider society;

• alcohol and drug theory, related policies, and interventions at local, national (Scotland and UK), and international levels;

• addiction, treatment, and harm reduction approaches;

• how social research methods can be applied to inform research in substance use.

Flexible module options
Our MSc Substance Use spans different disciplines and offers a wide range of options to help you tailor your studies. Connections with public health, social policy, criminology and housing allow students to choose elective modules in these areas. You can also base your final project on a topic especially relevant to your interests.
Build strong relationships and networks
Our staff are members of various international societies as well as having close connections with:

• The Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services, which is on the university campus.

• Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research which includes members of our staff.

These research groups make significant contributions to the understanding of substance use. Access to these groups enhances learning and networking opportunities for our online MSc Substance Use students.
The diversity of the substance use sector is also reflected among our students. You’ll work with fellow students who may include GPs, nurses, recovery workers and professionals from a wide range of other sectors.

All modules are assessed through coursework such as essays, evaluation reports, presentations, research proposals and literature reviews.