Full-time Foundation Degree programme

The Foundation Degree in Addictions Counselling, delivered by Action on Addiction, is a higher education qualification, awarded by the University of Bath.

The full-time programme is designed for newcomers to the field and it combines traditional classroom teaching with work-based learning.

It is signposted to DANOS, which are occupational standards related to addiction, and recognised by FDAP (the Federation of Drug & Alcohol Professionals, the professional body for the substance misuse field).

Applications are now being accepted for October 2010 entry. The selection process for 2010 entry will start during April/May2010.

20 months' duration (2 academic years, October to June)
2½ months introductory work-placement in Year 1, 7 months work-placement in Year 2
No experience necessary

Financial help is available

How the full-time degree programme is taught

The Foundation Degree has 2 Stages. Stage 1 is completed in the first academic year, and Stage 2 in the second. Each Stage contains a number of Units which are listed below. The Units are taught in 3, 4 and 5 day blocks at our Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies in Warminster.

Units are either:

  • TAUGHT (code TU, usually assessed with traditional academic assignments such as essays or case studies) OR 
  • WORK-BASED (code PU, no classrooom teaching, assessed with a workplace learning portfolio) OR
  • HYBRID (coded HU, assessed with a traditional academic assignment and a workplace learning portfolio)

in addition there are 2 Academic Development Units (code AD) and an integrative Case Study Unit.

Stage 1 is assessed at Level C (Certificate level), Stage 2 is assessed at level I (Intermediate level).

STAGE 1 (Year 1)

  • SS01 Study Skills 1 (6 ECTS credits, assessed with a portfolio of learning, supported by 4 teaching days) - this unit  helps you to develop the Information Technology (computer and internet) skills, research skills, and writing skills that you will need to complete the degree programme. Unit leader: Tim Leighton
  • TU01    Alcohol & Drug Problems and Responses (9 ECTS credits, 8 taught days in two 4-day blocks) - a historical survey of how societies have come to experience and describe alcohol and drug use as problematic, the harms related to substance misuse, and the range of responses which have emerged to deal with these. Political and legal control, medical models, community action, rehabilitation programmes, and various forms of individual and family therapy are placed in a social and historical context. Unit leader: Tim Leighton
  • TU02   Counselling Skills in an Addiction Treatment Context (12 ECTS credits, 10 taught days in two 5 day blocks) - this unit aims to develop your counselling skills and apply them in a structured, active, time-limited setting. The Unit introduces Egan's Skilled Helper stage model of counselling intervention, and prepares the ground for the Stage 2 Units in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Therapy. The course also includes self-exploration, and an examination of professional ethics. n.b. If you do not already have at least a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling or significant prior training in counselling skills before starting the degree, you may be required to complete our introductory Skills course (next course: 5 day residential in September 2009, fee £150). Unit leader: Trevor Smith
  • TU03 Diversity Issues in Addictions Treatment (3 ECTS credits, 3 taught days) -  an exploration of the 'differences that make a difference', and how these impact on people's experience of and ability to access services. Ethnic and cultural differences, gender, and different abilities are considered. Unit leader: Trevor Smith
  • TU04 Harm Reduction (3 ECTS credits, 3 taught days) - this unit looks at the history of the Harm Reduction movement, and examines the range of services that have been set up in the United Kingdom to minimise drug and alcohol related harm. The relationship with abstinence-based services is debated. Unit leaders: Trevor Smith/Tim Leighton
  • TU05 Assessment and Treatment Planning (9 ECTS credits, 8 taught days in two 4-day blocks) - this unit explores the domains of assessment, including the framework set out in the NTA Models of Care document, teaches the skills of semi-structured interviewing in order to take a comprehensive social and substance use history, and provides a method of prioritising issues in collaboration with the client to create a mutually acceptable, relevant, and useful plan for intervention. These vital skills are needed by every specialist counsellor in the field and are highly transferable to other situations. Unit leader: Derrick Anderson
  • HU06 12 Step & Social Support (6 ECTS credits, 5 taught days) - this unit examines the history of the 12 Step movement world-wide, and the current availability in the UK. The central ideas of 12 Step recovery are debated, and how the 12 Step programme has been promoted by professional treatment is analysed. Evidence concerning the usefulness of 12 step fellowships and other forms of social support is evaluated, and a model of 12 Step facilitation presented. Unit leader: Tim Leighton
  • HU07 Interpersonal Group Therapy (6 ECTS credits, 5 taught days) - this unit provides a clear model and rationale for Interpersonal Group Therapy, which helps clients explore how they relate to others, how this changes when they are no longer using alcohol or other drugs, and helps them learn more satisfying ways of meeting their needs in relationships. This powerful way of working could be described as 'Interpersonal Relapse Prevention', as we know that many relapses happen in the context of conflict with others or feeling lonely and cut off from others. The unit provides conceptual clarity and an understanding of the tasks of a group facilitator. Unit leaders Tim Leighton/Lorraine Parry/Devin Ashwood
  • PU01 Placement Portfolio: Personal and Professional Development 1 (6 ECTS credits) - in this unit you will reflectively analyse your workplace agency's policies and procedures and codes of practice, observe how ethical issues are handled in practice, understand and practice good standards of documentation and communication, develop relationships with supervisors and team members, begin assisting in case management and referral, and develop a personal support system. You will reflect on personal challenges that the course brings, and ways in which you are experiencing personal development.

STAGE 2 (Year 2)

  • HU08 Working with Families & Significant Others (6 ECTS credits, 5 taught days) - this unit examines the considerable evidence that working with family members is important and has good outcomes. Services to family members in their own right, and ways of integrating family members into the treatment of a person with addiction are described and evaluated. Students explore working with more than one person in a counselling situation, and are recorded role-playing simple family sessions with couples, parents or children. Clarity, achievable goals, and providing a safe, positive experience are stressed. Students also study established family therapy models at an introductory level. Unit leaders: Lorraine Parry, Ursula Sunderland
  • HU09 Motivational Interviewing (6 ECTS credits, 5 taught days) - Motivational Interviewing has had an enormous influence on the substance misuse field. Students are introduced to the concepts of MI, learn to understand and work with ambivalence, to recognise and reinforce 'change talk', and to extend their client-centred counselling skills with some useful techniques to promote health behaviour change. The collaborative and respectful 'spirit' of MI is stressed. The use of an MI spirit to motivate clients within treatment programmes is encouraged, and students record a DVD of a role-played session using the MI approach which they evaluate and reflect on for an assignment. The Unit lays a foundation for a more in-depth exploration of MI research and practice in the Honours Units 'MI and CBT theory' and 'Developing Motivational Interviewing'. Unit leader: Lorraine Parry
  • HU10 Cognitive Therapy and Relapse Prevention (9 ECTS credits, 5 taught days) - This unit introduces the fundamental ideas of Cognitive-Behavioural theory, and explains Beck's cognitive models of emotional disorders and of substance misuse. The framework of Cognitive Therapy is presented, including formulation of the case, educating the client to the model and collaborative empiricism.The basic skills of Cognitive Therapy including structuring the session, setting an agenda, using Socratic dialogue, homework assignments and seeking feedback from the client are demonstrated and practised.  The appropriate integration of this framework and these skills into treatment programmes is explored. Students make a DVD recording of a role-played session using Cognitive Therapy skills, which they evaluate and reflect on for an assignment.The Unit provides a foundation for a more in-depth exploration of Cognitive Therapy research and practice in the Honours Units. Unit leader: Tim Leighton
  • TU06 Dual Diagnosis and Complex Needs (3 ECTS credits, 5 taught days) - This unit examines the recognition, classification and treatment of disorders commonly occurring alongside substance use disorders. A framework of psychatric diagnosis is presented, together with a model for relating the substance misuse/dependence and the mental health problem(s). Referral to appropriate sources of help and support is discussed, along with evidence as to how people with mental health problems respond to addictions treatment and what can be done to promote the successful use of such programmes and services. Other kinds of complex needs (such as learning difficulties) are considered. Unit leader: Derrick Anderson
  • RM01 Research Methods and Design (12 ECTS) - This unit concentrates on the identification of a range of research methods, techniques and tools appropriate to addictions treatment settings and practice.  The use of literature reviews to establish existing state of knowledge in the area of research is discussed, as is an awareness of ethical issues related to research methodolgy.
  • RM02 Research Practive  - Case Study Project (12 ECTS) - This unit focuses on the application of introductory research knowledge to professional practice in addictions treatment, the identification of the framework within which a question will be investigated or task performed and selection and justification of appropriate methods and procedures.  Discovering how research can illuminate, clarify and evaluate a relevant issue, and understanding the limitations of research will also be explored and development of self as a reflective practitioner discussed.

Stage 2 portfolio units:

  • PU02 Professional Development

From January 2008, all teaching will be in Warminster, Wiltshire.

The Work Placement

A major feature of the full-time course is the work-based learning experience. The purpose of the work-based learning units is to provide an opportunity for students to put into practice the counselling and case management skills that are taught on the course.

Students will observe the treatment tasks modelled by qualified staff and receive direction and help in carrying out the tasks themselves. As placement agencies are located within a reasonable travelling distance of the Clouds teaching facilities in Wiltshire, most are situated in the southern or south-western counties, and London. Wherever possible, students are allocated a placement in their preferred geographical location.

Fees - significant financial help is available

The fees for the full-time programme include registration, tuition and all course handouts. Students may also incur additional expense for meals and refreshments on teaching days, and bed & breakfast accommodation if they choose to stay locally between adjacent teaching days or during 5-day teaching blocks.

The tuition fees are set by the University of Bath and are payable directly to the University. The course spans 2 academic years and the relevant fee for each year is applied. The fee structure for those normally resident outside the EU differs from that for Home/EU students.

For Home/EU students: From September 2009, the tuition fees for full-time students are £3,225 per academic year (plus annual inflation). For most students, payment is not required before the start of the course, but will be incorporated into a student loan which does not become repayable until after the course has been completed. (Exceptions apply for students who have previously completed a 3-year Honours degree programme).

Students normally resident outside the EU should contact the University of Bath for details of applicable fees.

Students may be eligible for a university bursary or various grants and loans, subject to household income and other qualifying criteria.

Further information on current tuition fees and available help can be found on the following websites:

Student Finance - DirectGov 

University of Bath Student Money Service  

University of Bath Tuition Fees 2008-09 

Application and selection

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 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.

An application form and an information pack are available in Word format to download or please contact the Centre for Addictions Treatment Studies (CATS).

Completed application forms should be sent to CATS. Selection interviews will be held at the Warminster site from March/April onwards.

Entry requiremements

Normally aged 23 years or above

FE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or above would be an advantage, although not a requirement

Working (paid or voluntary) in the drug/alcohol field in a setting that permits the workplace assignments to be carried out (for full-time students we will arrange a suitable placement)