Program Overview

The MA in Addiction Studies is a rigorous and formal exploration of addictions from a variety of academic and scientific perspectives: sociological, cultural, psychological, anthropological, and psychoanalytic. The programme is concerned with how these perspectives interact and how they differ from each other.

The aim is to educate students so that they can carry out research in the field of addiction and thereby critically inform policy making, as well as management of addiction services. The programme also provides clinicians with a strong theoretical foundation from where to approach the treatment of addictions.

This programme is designed for students with a background in Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Science or a cognate discipline, who wish to acquire a postgraduate qualification in the area of Addiction. It is also very suitable for applicants with a clinical training in health or social care who wish to apply knowledge of the theory and approaches to addiction to their clinical work. In addition, the course provides an exciting and thought-provoking foundation for students who may wish to subsequently pursue training in the counselling or psychotherapy of addiction.

Key Features of the MA in Addiction Studies

• Suited to those with a Humanities/Social Science degree seeking to acquire a postgraduate qualification in the area of Addiction
• Also suitable for applicants with clinical training in health or social care who wish to apply a knowledge of the theory and approaches to addiction to their clinical work
• Graduates will be qualified for relevant position in academia, as well as in research for public and private bodies
• In addition, graduates can work at a strategic level in healthcare settings, in semi-state bodies and in government agencies shaping polices on addiction treatment both within institutions and in society as a whole