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During this programme, you will:  

• Build on your existing skills to develop theoretical and evidence-based knowledge. 

• Develop up-to-date intervention skills integral to providing a quality service for drug and alcohol users across the continuum of care. 

• Acquire practical skills to respond effectively and appropriately to drugs and alcohol issues in your work setting. 

• Gain an awareness of interventions in the drugs and alcohol field across the spectrum, from primary prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. 

Key Information:  

• Complete part-time over one year 

• Designed for working professionals 

• Delivered online  

• Lectures will be held 2 times a week, typically on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and Thursday mornings from 10am – 1pm.   

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters  

• An in-person orientation takes place on a Saturday in early September, before the semester begins. A mid-year in person event to support learning may also be scheduled. 

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Year 1 

Autumn Semester 

• provides theoretical foundations and skills to work more effectively with groups. 

• provides a grounding in the key theoretical areas which seek to explain substance use and process dependencies and shape interventions. 

• provides an overview of interventions in the drugs and alcohol field across the spectrum from primary prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. 

• encourages critical reflection on practice and appraisal of evidence in making informed practice decisions. 

Spring Semester 

• focuses on the antecedence, consequences and responses to substance use in the context of community and social perspectives. 

• develops knowledge of dual diagnosis and other drug related complications. 

• focuses on effective, up-to-date intervention skills integral to providing a quality service for drug and alcohol users across the continuum of care. 

• encourages critical reflection on practice and appraisal of evidence in making informed practice decisions. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s

• Applicants should have completed a Certificate in Addiction Studies or another relevant area. 

• You should have at least 2 years of relevant work experience, particularly in the areas of drug and alcohol or a related field. 

• The university may shortlist and invite you to an interview.  

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

International students:   

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

Checklist of documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Scanned copy of your Certificate in Addiction Studies or equivalent academic qualification 

• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• Copy of your CV.
• Personal statement (300-500 word typed statement) describing how your experience has prepared you for this course and how completing it will help you and others.  

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application   

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - €1,700

Non-EU €5,800

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. This programme does not qualify for a study visa. 

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the 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).  

Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

In the past, the Mid West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum has made funding available to ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ to support students with their academic fees. We are very grateful to receive this funding for the past number of years. If you live/work in Limerick, Clare or Tipperary, you may be eligible for partial payment of your fees. For students beyond the region, we suggest contacting your local Task Force as there is often funding available towards further education in alcohol and/or drugs issues. 

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:  

• Community Substance Misuse Team
• Crime Prevention Officer
• Guidance counsellor
• Roles within the HSE in Health & Wellbeing 

Caitriona Lynch, 2025 Graduate of Drug and Alcohol Studies – Diploma 

When I enrolled in the Drug and Alcohol Diploma, I wanted to understand addiction more deeply and learn how to truly support people on their recovery journey. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I felt called to this work. 

Today, I’m part of a therapeutic community where I support women and mothers in recovery. Every day I use what I learned in the diploma—not just the knowledge, but also the confidence and empathy to meet people where they are. 

The hardest part was facing the realities of addiction. At times it was emotionally demanding, but those challenges made me stronger and more compassionate. The most rewarding part was seeing how my skills could be applied directly to help others and make a real difference. 

This diploma gave me so much more than a qualification—it gave me purpose, resilience, and the belief that I can truly change lives.