Part-time Foundation Degree Programme

The part-time Foundation Degree programme is for those who are already working in the addictions field, whether as paid employees or volunteers, and who want to gain a professional qualification or upgrade their credentials.

The part-time course includes workplace assignments, most of which require access to a client base.

The degree may be taken over 3 or 4 years on a part-time basis. The syllabus consists of a total of 20 Units (with either 3, 6, 9 or 12 ECTS credits), all of which must be taken, unless credited via APL (see Accreditation of Prior Learning below) before registration. If more than 25% of the Units are accredited through APL it might be possible to complete the programme in 2 years.

Accreditation of prior learning

It is recognised that many of those already working in an addictions setting may have prior knowledge through experience or by undertaking other courses. Where it can be demonstrated that this knowledge correlates with the learning outcomes of the foundation degree course, there is an opportunity to gain credit for some of the units. This is known as "Accreditation of Prior Learning" (APL) or "Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning" (APEL) and would be done through a formal structured procedure prior to registration with the university.

This facility will allow students to complete the course in a shorter period of time, depending on the number of units that can be accredited. University regulations permit students to APL or APEL a maximum of 50% of the programme.

For those with significant relevant prior learning, it may be possible to complete the course in 2-3 years via the APL system. This would be discussed at interview.

How the part-time degree course is taught

The Foundation Degree has 2 Stages. 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. See here for accommodation package.

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.

The Stage 1 Units are assessed at Level C (Certificate level), the Stage 2 Units are assessed at level I (Intermediate level).

The Foundation Degree regulations require that in most circumstances the Stage 1 units should be completed before the Stage 2. It may be possible to take up to 2 Level I Units prior to progressing to Stage 2.

Part-time unit delivery for each academic year

At the beginning of each academic year, students will be asked to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) for the coming year. This is to ensure that they will obtain enough credits to progress to the next year.

The usual schedule of delivery for part-time students is as follows: (the 2008/09 course dates can be found below this)

 YEAR 1

  •  AD01 Academic Development 1 (6 ECTS credits, assessed with a portfolio of learning, supported by 4 teaching days or personal tutorials) - 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
  • 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 2008, 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
  • 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

YEAR 2

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.

YEAR 3

  • 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
  • TU12 Dual Diagnosis (6 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

plus work-based portfolio units:

  • PU02 Developing Therapeutic Relationships
  • PU03 Leading Groups and Client Education

YEAR 4

  • HU10 Cognitive Therapy and Substance Misuse (6 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
  • HU11 Relapse Prevention (6 ECTS credits, 5 taught days) - This unit together with HU10 provides the Cognitive-Behavioural component of the course. Addiction has been described as a chronic, relapsing condition, and the ability to anticipate, prevent and exit from relapse is key to sustaining recovery. An established and influential cognitive-behavioral model of the relapse process (developed by Marlatt & Gordon) is presented and evaluated, and relapse prevention skills training workshops are developed by students. The Marlatt model is compared and contrasted with Gorski's model, and research evidence for the effectiveness of relapse prevention is discussed. Unit leader: Trevor Smith

plus work-based portfolio units:

    • PU04 Working with Difference and Diversity
    • PU05 Personal & Professional Development 2
    • AD02 Academic Development 2

The full schedule of taught days for academic year 2008-09 can be found below.  

Please note: the repeated units in the table below are correct; they refer to the schedule for students who enrolled from 2005-2007. Those enrolling this year will follow the schedule outlined above.

2008/09 Stage 1 Units (for those in Year 1)

 
20-24 October 2008

TU02 Counselling Skills Part 1 (5 days)

1-5 December 2008

TU02 Counselling Skills Part 2 (5 days)

21-23 January 2009

TU03 Diversity Issues in Addiction Treatment (3 days)

20-23 April 2009

TU05 Assessment & Treatment Planning Part 1 (4 days)

26-29 May 2009

TU05 Assessment & Treatment Planning Part 2 (4 days)

2008/09 Stage 1 Units (for those in Year 2)

N.B. for 2008-09 we are on the OLD schedule of delivery:
24-28 October

TU02 Counselling Skills Part 1 (5 days)

1-5 December 2008

TU02 Counselling Skills Part 2 (5 days)

2-6 February 2009

TU04 Harm Reduction (3 days)

30 March-3 April 2009

HU06 12 Step & Social Support (5 days)

   

2008/09 Stage 2 Units (for those in Year 3)

 
27-31 October 2008

HU09 Motivational Interviewing (5 days)

January 2009

HU08 Working with Families (5 days)

27 April-1 May 2009

TU12 Dual Diagnosis (5 days)

2008/09 Stage 2 Units (for those in Year 4)

 
16-20 February 2009

HU11 Relapse Prevention (5 days)

27 April-1 May 2009

TU12 Dual Diagnosis (5 days)

Anyone not registered on the Foundation Degree wishing to participate in these units on a stand-alone basis may attend individual courses at any time, subject to availability, and receive a Certificate of Continuing Professional Development. TRANSFERABLE ACADEMIC CREDIT IS NOW AVAILABLE. Further information can be found here and under UPCOMING COURSES.

Fees

Fees for the part-time course include registration, tuition, assessment, and all course handouts. For the academic year 2007/08, the tuition fees for home/EU students are currently £613 per academic year (payable directly to the University of Bath at the applicable rate for each year registered). For overseas students (non-EU) the tuition fees are currently £4725 per academic year. Students should expect to pay £30 plus per night, plus meals, if they choose to stay locally during the teaching blocks. Please see here for our excellent value residential package which allows you to stay at our training centre for all of your teaching blocks and provides comfortable private accommodation and study facilities.

LEA Funding is available for suitable candidates.

Please note: these costs are applicable only for students registered on the Foundation Degree programme.. Please see the Course Costs page for indicative costs if you wish to attend courses on a stand-alone basis.

Information about financial support for part-time students can be found at:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm 

Academic Level

10 Units are assessed at Level C (the first year of a degree programme) and 10 Units are assessed at Level I (the second year of a degree programme or a Diploma of Higher Education).

Information from the University of Bath

For general information on Foundation Degrees with the University of Bath:

http://www.bath.ac.uk/prospectus/undergrad/foundation/degree.shtml

For general information on formal applications via the university system (UCAS):
http://www.bath.ac.uk/admissions/undergrad/apply/how.html

Application and selection

The minimum age is normally 23 years. Applicants will benefit from a recognised Certificate in Counselling or equivalent suitable work experience, and preferably both, although this is not a requirement. Selection is by interview.

An application form and an information pack are available in Word format to download or please contact the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies (CATS). Completed application forms should be sent to CATS.