Full-Time Foundation Degree Programme

The Foundation Degree is accredited by FDAP, and provides all the required training hours for their counsellor accreditation, leading to eligibility for UKRCP registration.

The Foundation degree is signposted to FDAP (The Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals) and DANOS (Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards).  This means that holders of the Action on Addiction/University of Bath Foundation Degree in Addictions Counselling, upon completion of some simple proformae, can become certified by FDAP as 'Accredited Practitioners' before entering employment.  Follow this link for further information.

How to apply

Click here to apply via UCAS for October 2012 entry.

Tuition Fees

Follow this link for the current fee structure. The tuition fees are set by the University of Bath and are payable directly to the University.

If you're a student from another EU country, you can apply for financial help with the cost of tuition in England.  Additional help may also be available if you’re a migrant worker from an EEA (European Economic Area) country or Switzerland.  You can find out more on the DirectGov website.

Entry Requirements

Click here for the current entry requirements. An FE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or above would be an advantage, although not a requirement.

Those applicants who have had addiction problems themselves are expected to have a minimum of three years of stable recovery before starting the course.


As the course involves work with vulnerable adults, successful applicants will also be required to apply to the Criminal Records Bureau for disclosure of any criminal record. The offer of a placement for the full-time course will be conditional on the receipt of a satisfactory disclosure certificate and appropriate risk assessment.

Application process

Once the details have been passed on by the University of Bath we will then contact candidates to attend a two day selection process either in March or June 2012.

Further information

For a guide of the time spent in teaching/placement please see current timetable.  The Foundation Degree has 2 Stages. Each Stage contains a number of Units. The Units are taught in 3, 4 and 5 day blocks at our Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies in Warminster.  Please note that the degree is undergoing significant changes to its structure that will be implemented in October 2012.

The Work Placement

The degree runs for 20 months over two academic years and includes a 3 months introductory work-placement in Year 1 and a 7 month work-placement in Year 2. Students will observe the treatment tasks modelled by qualified staff and receive direction and help in carrying out the tasks themselves. Wherever possible, students are allocated a placement in their preferred geographical location.

Bed and Breakfast costs

Student have the choice to stay at the training centre for the duration of their study week. Click here for pricing information.

Further information on funding

http://www.bath.ac.uk/studentservices/money-service/ (University of Bath funding advice, bursaries, hardship funds, etc.)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm (students loans & grants for students living in England)
http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/portal/page?_pageid=616,6200692&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL (for students living in Wales)
http://www.saas.gov.uk/ (for students living in Scotland)
http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/portal/page?_pageid=54,1265897&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL (for students living in Northern Ireland)
http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=27173&ecategory=27173&language=EN (for students living in the Republic of Ireland)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/StudentsFromOtherEUCountries/index.htm (for non-UK students living in the EU)


If you would like further information on the Full-Time Foundation Degree, please contact the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies on 018985 843780 or training@actiononaddiction.org.uk

Click here for information on the CATS team

Part-Time Degree

Professional Development Candidates not registered on the Foundation Degree wishing to participate in any units on a stand-alone basis may attend individual courses at any time, subject to availability, and receive a Certificate of Continuing Professional Development

Main overview page



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