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Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis) MSc

Expand your knowledge and understanding of issues relating to addictions, substance use and mental health, including policies, practices and interventions

MSc Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis)

Code
PGB70C
Start
September 2024
Attendance
Attendance is by distance education
Fees
£63 per taught credit (UK) *
£117 per taught credit (INT) *
Course leader
David Garcia

Why choose Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis) MSc at Middlesex?

As the only course of its kind in the UK and Europe, this master's degree is for treatment and support practitioners either in or aspiring to leadership roles. This part-time masters course is taught through distance learning.

This course will enhance your professional and career development across a range of professional contexts including in mental health, social care, youth justice, prisons and substance use services and allied professions.

This course will benefit individuals working in or with aspirations to work in:

  • Mental health
  • The drug and alcohol treatment and support sector
  • Primary care
  • Community care
  • Criminal justice systems
  • Government agencies
  • Education
  • Youth work
  • Social work
  • Allied health professions.

Please note: This course does not lead to registration as a mental health nurse or other mental health practitioner. Applicants wishing to undertake a professional nursing programme, please visit our Nursing courses page.

What you will gain

Our multi-disciplinary teaching approach will provide you with a holistic understanding of the interrelated complexities of substance use and mental health.

This course will develop your mastery in mental health, addictions and substance use-related skills and knowledge, for successful contribution to enhanced professional practice, leadership, policy and service development within this field nationally and internationally across different cultural contexts. You will gain knowledge and expertise in critical analysis and utilising advanced research skills, plus skills in analysis and critique of policy development, plus practice and leadership skills.

You will undertake either a literature-based dissertation (60 credits at postgraduate level) or a work-based project (60 credits at postgraduate level).

This degree will allow you to pursue or advance your career in substance use, mental health, health or social care, and youth work.

3 great reasons to pick this course

  • Excellent reputation
    Top 2 university in the UK – Times Higher Education, Young Universities, 2022
  • Postgraduate success
    93% of our postgraduate students go on to work or further study – Graduate Outcomes, 2022
  • We are an international university
    We're ranked 5th in the UK and 14th globally as “most international university” – Times Higher Education World University Ranking, 2023

Find out more

Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.

You need to achieve a maximum of 180 credits to complete this course. Those who have been successful in making a Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) claim can carry forward up to 60 credits at Level 7.

You must successfully complete four core (compulsory) modules and three optional modules. All of the modules are delivered by distance learning. The exact optional modules available will depend on cohort numbers and it may not be possible to run all the modules every year. In making decisions about options you need to consider your current role, career aspirations and personal circumstances, and view more information about possible pathways. You will have an opportunity to discuss the optional module choices with the Programme Leader before you make your final choices.

Target award:

  • MSc Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis): 180 credits at postgraduate level.

Exit awards:

  • MSc Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis): 180 credits at postgraduate level
  • PGDip Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis): 120 credits at postgraduate level
  • PGCert Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis): 60 credits at postgraduate level.
  • Core modules

    • Critical Approaches to Dual Diagnosis (30 credits) - Compulsory

      The purpose of this module is to critically explore issues influencing the approach to the care of individuals coping with co-morbid mental health and substance use conditions (i.e. dual diagnosis) with due regard to policies, research, evidenced based
      practice, and workforce development/training. Students will have the opportunity to explore the subject with due regard to international perspectives.

    • Evidence Based Interventions in Mental Health and Substance Use (30 credits) - Compulsory

      The module aims to develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of current evidence-based interventions for service users with mental health and substance use. There will be a focus on the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impact on adult mental health, the importance of current evidence-based interventions including trauma-informed interventions, the strengths-based approach, systemic family and group interventions and peer-support interventions in the context of improving outcomes for service users with mental health and substance use issues.

  • Choose two of the following optional modules

    • Motivational interviewing: Strategies for lifestyle and behavioural changes (15 Credits) - Distance learning - Optional

      Motivational interviewing is an approach to counselling which helps individuals work through ambivalence toward change. Originally developed in the drug and alcohol field, MI is now being widely applied in a variety of settings, including social services, health care, mental health, public health, and criminal justice. This module has been developed to assist students to gain mastery in the evidence for the efficacy of Motivational Interviewing and how it links to behavioural theory; and to explore its application to the student’s area of practice as part of the ‘process of change’ across a range of health and lifestyle behaviours.

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (15 credits) - Optional

      Students' will be encouraged to master skills in cognitive behavioural strategies and techniques, based upon critical examination of theory and practice as applied to their own work with individuals with mental health problems.

    • Risk Assessment and Safety Planning (15 credits) - Optional

      Students will be enabled to assess, reduce and positively manage risks specific to mental health - exploring clinical, social and organisational contexts of risk. Students will increase their knowledge, develop skills and master strategies to address aspects of risk.

    • Social Inclusion and Recovery in Mental Health (15 credits) - Optional

      Promoting social inclusion and recovery lies at the heart of current mental health services and care. Students will engage with contemporary theory, research and policy and will critically review service developments and synthesise information and ideas from a review of service.

    • Substance Use and Addiction Theories (15 credits) - Optional

      Using a ‘life course’ approach, this module aims to develop skills in the interpretation of different stages in the course of substance use and addiction through an examination of drug use patterns and addiction theories. It also aims to enable students to critically evaluate the different theoretical approaches and develop the abilities in applying them to policies, strategies and interventions.

    • Service Delivery and Quality Improvement (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to provide managers and practitioners with the opportunity to explore legislation and policy directions in public and community services. There will be a focus on the impact of the practitioner's role in leading the development of services in a way that gives high importance to quality enhancing.

    • Drugs and Crime (15 credits) - Optional

      This module aims to develop advanced skills in the application of criminological theories and concepts in relation to drugs, drug use, and drugs control and in critically analysing the relationship between drugs and crime. Students will critically evaluate the laws, policies and institutions of drugs control within their social, political and economic contexts and compare and contrast the role of the criminal justice system in responding to drugs in various countries. The module also aims to foster a critical interest in the reform of drugs control policy and institutions at both national and international levels.

    • Leadership for Public and Community Services (15 credits) - Optional

      The module aims to develop the student's knowledge and skills to enable them to work effectively within the context of leadership and service development within the workplace. Students will be facilitated to develop their own leadership role within their chosen profession, and to explore and evaluate their own leadership style. The module aims to integrate the common needs of different groups of leaders (and where relevant managers) by focussing on the theoretical underpinnings of leadership but being flexible enough to facilitate the direct application of these knowledge and skills in the workplace.

Year 2 Modules

  • Research based modules

    • Advanced Practitioner Inquiry (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module is designed to develop students understanding of a range of advanced inquiry methodologies appropriate for practitioners, in order to design a real work based project that has clear objectives related to their own professional development or the development of practice in their settings. They will be expected to focus on specific service, organisational or practice related issues and take initiative and leadership. It will explore approaches to advanced practitioner inquiry and innovative methods appropriate for their area of practice. It will enable critical reflection upon their position as a 'practitioner or insider researcher' and the ethical implications that could arise during the project.

    • Advanced Work Based Project (60 credits) - Compulsory

      This module is a culmination of a student's Masters study and provides the opportunity to synthesise professional and academic learning. It will support students to undertake a substantial work based project that is designed to develop their own professional practice and address a practice, organisational or service issue that the student has already identified in their workplace or professional field. Building on their understanding of advanced practitioner inquiry methodologies, they will be encouraged to consider improvement and leadership strategies to support the successful management of their project and to deliver real outcomes that have the potential to transform practice.

    • Developing Research Capability (60 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims: 1. To engage students in scholarly enquiry to develop a critical understanding of social science research 2. For the student to develop research capability through formulating and implementing a proposal for research related to their field of practice.

      MSc Mental Health and Substance Use

To find out more about this course, please download the Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis) MSc specification (PDF).

How we'll teach you

On this course, all teaching and learning is online. You will meet, work and study with other students and your tutors virtually so you can learn at your own pace, in your own time.

Each module involves a variety of assessments including coursework, reports, case studies, viva voce assessment, digital story, critical appraisal of leadership and service-related research projects.

Once enrolled you will access the course learning materials and discussions via the University's student portal and virtual learning environment, Unihub which is available 24/7. Tutorial support will be provided in MyLearning, the university online teaching portal. Additional help will be offered via email, telephone and video conferencing to all distance learning students during term time.

Where will you study?

You can study from wherever suits you, provided you can connect to the internet.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Teaching vs independent study

In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.

Typical weekly breakdown

A typical week looks like this:

Learning

Hours per week

Online

3

Independent study

5-10

Learning terms

Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like MS Teams or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.

Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.

Academic support

We have a strong support network online to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.

Coursework and assessments

There are no exams but your coursework will be assessed.

Assessment is an integral part of learning and you may hear it referred to as formative or summative. Formative assessment is primarily developmental in nature and is designed to give you feedback on your performance and how it can be improved. As a result, you will get detailed feedback but will not receive a grade for the formative assessment.

Summative assessment is designed to measure the extent to which you have achieved the intended learning outcomes of a module and therefore the appropriate grade to be awarded. Summative assessment should assess the achievement of all learning outcomes in a secure, fair and accurate manner and on this course will mainly consist of writing assessments (research proposal, critiquing a research paper, literature review, or dissertation).

Please see the module narratives or module handbooks for more information on the assessment for each module.

Feedback

We aim to give prompt feedback on your learning and achievements, as well as opportunities to reflect upon and learn from that feedback. You will also have one-to-one tutorials with your dissertation supervisor to help you develop the project/research proposal and ideas for writing the dissertation.

In addition to the one-to-one sessions, you'll be invited to attend group research workshops with your research tutors and fellow students/peers to encourage peer-led research knowledge and transfer of shared learning.

The Sheppard Library

Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:

  • Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
  • 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
  • Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

How can the Mental Health and Substance Use (Dual Diagnosis) MSc support your career?

The course will be a valuable asset in developing and furthering a career in the drug and alcohol and/or mental health field within the UK or abroad.

There are a number of career options within public services and non-governmental organisations, and the MSc will enhance employment opportunities across the field, including, drug and alcohol services, the criminal justice system, the housing/homeless sector, health and social care and charitable sectors. Students may choose to undertake doctoral-level study. Eligible students could take the Advance Clinical Practitioner (ACP) programme.

Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.

MDXworks

MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:

  • The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023
  • A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.

Global alumni network

You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.

  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below refer to the 2024/35 academic year unless otherwise stated.

UK students *

Part-time students: £63 per credit
Part-time students: £32 per dissertation

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part time study are shown here as a guide

Course fees

Some of our students have their course fees covered by CPPD contracts between NHS trusts and Middlesex University. Alternatively other students pay their own fees or are sponsored by their employer (but not under a CPPD contract).

View more information including fee rates for self-funding/employer-sponsored students.

Bursaries

Bursaries from the Society for the Study of Addictions (SSA) towards the cost of course fees are available for students registered on this programme. Please note there is no guarantee that you will be awarded a bursary.

Further information on eligibility and how to apply

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated.

International students*

Part-time students: £117 per credit
Part-time students: £59 per dissertation

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation so the total costs for part time study are shown here as a guide

Course fees

Some of our students have their course fees covered by CPPD contracts between NHS trusts and Middlesex University. Alternatively other students pay their own fees or are sponsored by their employer (but not under a CPPD contract).

View more information including fee rates for self-funding/employer-sponsored students.

Bursaries

Bursaries from the Society for the Study of Addictions (SSA) towards the cost of course fees are available for students registered on this programme. Please note there is no guarantee that you will be awarded a bursary.

Further information on legibility and how to apply

Additional costs

We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies including:

  • Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
  • Free specialist software for your course
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Financial support

We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.

Postgraduate scholarships

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

  • The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
  • The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
  • The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
  • The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
  • Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

Mental Health Studies MSc/PGDip / Healthcare Studies PGCert

Start: September 2024

Duration: 2 years part-time

Code: MSc: PGB76B, PGB71C

Nursing (Mental Health) (Pre-registration programme) PGDip

Start: October 2024

Duration: 2 years full-time (subject to gaining RPL)

Code: BR60

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