Drug & Alcohol Studies - Diploma (Online)

This one-year, part-time programme is offered and designed to meet the need for educational progression routes in the area of Drugs and Alcohol. It also aims to support actions in National Drug and Alcohol policy that call for increased training opportunities for individuals working in the field. The programme is intended for individuals actively engaged in management of drug and alcohol use and dependency, healthcare professionals or those working with groups at risk for drug and alcohol related issues.

The programme aims to:

• develop personal and professional growth of individuals working in community, voluntary, statutory and non-statutory organisations who are actively engaged in responding to drug and alcohol issues, across the spectrum from prevention and education to treatment and rehabilitation.

• build upon existing knowledge and skills among participants, with a focus on developing theoretical and evidence-based knowledge together with a range of practical skills to enable them to respond effectively and appropriately to drugs and alcohol issues in their work setting.

• enhance the principles and values underpinning lifelong and adult learning among individuals.

Typical applicants include:

• those who have completed a Certificate in Addiction Studies or another relevant area and who wish to progress their professional education in the area of drug and alcohol studies.

• health professionals, social care professionals, teachers, guidance counsellors, youth and child-care workers, prison officers, Gardai, probation officers and community workers among others.

While the programme is fully online, there is an in-person orientation event scheduled for early September, on a Saturday, before semester starts. This in-person meeting is supportive for all learners and an opportunity to meet peers before working together remotely and online. Based on student feedback, we also hope to plan a mid-year in-person event as a support to learning. 

Lectures are scheduled for Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and Thursday mornings from 10am to 1pm. Lectures take place every week for the 12 weeks of each semester. Lectures are synchronous and live, and learners participate online with peers. Lectures are not recorded.

Typical applicants include those who have completed a Certificate in Addiction Studies or another relevant area and who wish to progress their professional education in the area of drug and alcohol studies.

The course is intended for individuals actively engaged in management of drug and alcohol use and dependency or those working with groups at risk from drug and alcohol use. Therefore, typical applicants also include health professionals, social care professionals, teachers, guidance counsellors, youth and childcare workers, prison officers, Gardai, probation officers, first responders and community workers, among others.

1. Scanned original copy of your transcripts Certificate in Addiction Studies, or a related area, or equivalent academic qualification
2. At least two years’ experience of working in the area of drug and alcohol or a related field
3. Successful completion of interview (shortlisting may apply as part of the application process)
4. You are required to complete a 300-500 word statement as part of the application. Please respond to one topic from the following three:

a) What is your understanding of Addiction? (Discuss and explain)

b) Drugs are not the real issue – alcohol is. (Discuss and explain, what are your views?)

c) Problematic Substance Use - A health or criminal justice issue? (Discuss and explain)

Please type and submit this response as an additional document online. A suggested format consists of an introduction, key points and conclusion in response to the chosen statement.

What to Include with your Application

Delays in receiving these documents will affect the progress of your application.

• Photo or scanned original copy of your transcripts for all years of study. (Graduates of UL need only provide us with their Student ID number)
• A copy of your birth cert or passport
• A copy of your most recent CV
• 300 - 500 word statement as outlined above
• Applicants who do not have English as their first language must satisfy English Language requirements
• If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND
• English language competency certificate
• Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements

Guidelines on Completing your Application

• To ensure a speedy assessment of your application, please upload the above documents with your application form – your application cannot be assessed until relevant documentation is uploaded
• Please title appropriately any documents you are uploading with the application form, for example "Supporting Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.

International students can find more information on eligibility requirements here. 

EU - €1,700

Non- EU - €5,600 

Once registered, students can apply to pay their fees in instalments. A request for a payment plan should be emailed to student.fees.office@ul.ie.

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)

Student Testimonial, For someone who has never done this before, who was full of fear, I cannot speak highly enough about the programme...  It allowed me space to breathe and ease into college life, the lecturers have been so helpful, motivating and engaging. It is because of each of them I didn't quit, I didn't run, I stayed and graduated!' (Graduate 2023-24)