Addiction Studies

Course detail Description

We designed this course to extend your theoretical knowledge and practical skills – whatever your background. Maybe you’re a nurse wanting to understand the psychopharmacology. Maybe you’re a psychology graduate looking to explore treatment options. You might even be working in government or policy and want to get a real grasp of the issue. Since we have such a diverse mix of people, you’ll get a unique insight into perspectives from other disciplines.

A real highlight of the course is its broad scope. Our modules cover areas of the subject you might not learn about on a more specialised programme. You’ll still have a chance to explore your own interests in a research project and by picking either a clinical- or policy-based optional module.

With our links to South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, you’ll have a great opportunity to experience life on the front lines of addiction issues. Shadowing clinical experts and working with a wide range of patients and their families, you’ll really get to grips with the challenges we face as a society.

At King’s we’ve been at the forefront of developing new treatments for alcohol, smoking and drug problems. So whether you want to understand the biology of addiction, or work on a new therapy, we’ll help you achieve your goals.

“We have really close ties with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, so several of our modules focus on clinical aspects of treating addiction. Quite a few of our lecturers work as clinicians in the trust. That means we can also offer the rare opportunity for a clinical services placement.”

Professor Michael Lynskey, Course Leader

Teaching

The multi-disciplinary team have experience in a wide range of clinical and academic areas. They’re active in research at the National Addiction Centre, so you’ll always be up-to-date with the latest thinking.

You’ll also learn from the experts at the NHS trust where you do your placement, and the guest lecturers we bring in to discuss their specialisms.

MSc Format

You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Introduction to Addiction Science and Theory

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (25 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (30 hours) | Self-study time (225 hours)

Psychopharmacology of Drug Action and Addiction

Lectures (10 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (15 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (10 hours) | Self-study time (115 hours)

Research Methods, Critical Appraisal and Statistics

Lectures (10 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (10 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (15 hours) | Self-study time (115 hours)

Contemporary Advances in Evidenced Based Policy, Prevention and Practice

Lectures (10 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (10 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (15 hours) | Self-study time (115 hours)

Advanced Addiction Practice

Lectures (10 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (48 hours) | Self-study time (72 hours)

Research Project

Seminars / Tutorials (8 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (20 hours) | Self-study time (572 hours)

Advanced Clinical Management of Addiction

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (20 hours) | Self-study time (240 hours)

Alcohol: Problems, Policy & Practice

Lectures (20 hours) | Seminars / Tutorials (20 hours) | Field/lab/studio/ supervised learning (20 hours) | Self-study time (240 hours)

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks. On average students are expected to allow somewhere in the region of 100 to 150 hours personal study time per module.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations.

Examination (50%) | Coursework (30%) | Practical (20%)

Regulating body
King’s College is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England

Other related courses:

Affective Disorders MSc

Read more

Structure

Year 1 Required Modules

Students on this course are required to take:

• Introduction to Addiction Science and Theory (30 Credits)

• Psychopharmacology of Drug Action and Addiction (15 credits)

• Research Methods, Critical Appraisal and Statistics (15 credits)

• Contemporary Advances in Evidence-Based Policy, Prevention & Practice (15 credits)

• Advanced Addiction Practice (15 credits

• Research Project (60 Credits)

In addition, you will take 30 credits from a range of optional modules, which may include:

• Advanced Clinical Management of Addiction (30 credits)

• Alcohol: Problems, Policy & Practice (30 credits)