Short Courses Content
Stand Alone Module | Nursing
Understanding and Helping People who use Alcohol and Drugs
LEVEL OF STUDY : 7 - postgraduate level
Module Code: TBC
Alcohol consumption is a significant public health issue with clear links to mental health. A large proportion of adults drink regularly, and patterns of heavy episodic drinking remain common. Alcohol misuse is associated with a range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, self-harm, and increased suicide risk. Although alcohol is sometimes used as a coping strategy for stress or emotional distress, it can worsen mood, impair judgement, and reduce resilience over time. The impact extends beyond individuals, affecting families, relationships, and communities, and placing sustained pressure on health and social care services.
| Duration | 1 semester |
| Delivery | Blended |
| Fees from | No Fee |
| Start date | To be confirmed |
For provisional timetables, please refer to the section below titled Delivery.
Stand Alone modules give the applicant an opportunity to:
- Return to study
- Update in a new field of practice
- Further develop knowledge and skills in the current area of practice
On successful completion of the module the participant will be awarded CATs points, which may count towards another award. Students may access a number of Stand Alone modules offered within a variety of nursing programmes. The modules may stipulate that participants must be working in a relevant clinical environment.
Please note that courses are subject to a minimum registration, so it may not be possible to run all courses each year.
Fees
| Commissioned Health Trust | No Fee |
| Self Funding / Fee Paying - 2025627 | £856 |
Tuition fees and other charges are set by the University and are subject to change. | |
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a professional qualification in Nursing, Midwifery, or Allied Health and Social Care Services. See Selection Criteria for full requirements.
The Programme
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Course Content
Aim:
To enable students to critically evaluate, integrate, and apply evidence-based theoretical and clinical approaches to the assessment and treatment of people who use alcohol and drugs, and to design person-centred interventions across complex systems of care.
On completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. Critically appraise and synthesise theoretical, evidence-based, and cultural models explaining substance use, dependence, and recovery within biopsychosocial frameworks.
2. Evaluate the complex interactions between substance use, trauma, mental health, and systemic factors to inform advanced, person-centred assessment and formulation.
3. Design, justify, and critically evaluate comprehensive, ethically grounded care plans that integrate motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, recovery-oriented, and outcome-measurement approaches.
4. Critically reflect on stigma, values, and lived-experience perspectives to enhance therapeutic engagement, inter-professional collaboration, and innovative practice in substance use services.
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Outcomes
This stand alone module is worth 20 CATs points. Where a clinical skills component is included, there may be a requirement for support and supervision of an experienced practitioner within the student’s clinical area.
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Delivery
Students should note that delivery may be via blended learning, with a mix of online and face to face classes as detailed within the module timetable on Canvas.
Autumn (AUT) teaching commences w/c Monday, 21 September 2026 (Week 1) and finishes w/c Monday, 14 December 2026 unless otherwise advised.
Venue for first class listed below - thereafter, students should check the Weekly Planner facility on QSIS for remaining venues.
First Semester
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Selection Criteria
Applicants must have a professional qualification in Nursing, Midwifery, or Allied Health and Social Care Services. They shall normally hold a relevant 2.2 Honours degree or above, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.
Applicants who do not hold a 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) may be considered on a case-by-case basis where they can demonstrate evidence of successful study at Level 6 in a healthcare related subject.
Applicants must provide evidence of at least 20 CAT points at Level 3/6. Certificates must clearly state level of study and credit worthiness in order to meet the entry requirements.
In addition, applicants accessing post graduate certificates or standalone modules must be working the relevant clinical area.
International Trained Nurses/Midwives: If you hold an international qualification you will need to provide a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability. This should be obtained prior to submitting your application. You can apply for a statement through the ENIC website: Statement of Comparability (enic.org.uk)
Please note that these courses are not open to international applicants living outside the UK/ROI.
How to apply
We will advertise again in June 2026 for September 2026 entry.
Please complete the form below if you’d like to join our mailing list and be notified when applications reopen.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST - CPAD PROGRAMMES
For any queries, please email cpadsnam@qub.ac.uk.
Please note that these courses are not open to international applicants living outside the UK/ROI.