Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (Online Learning) PgCert (ICL)

FASD refers to the physical, emotional and developmental effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Neurodevelopmental disorders are known to be caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Health services worldwide are struggling to measure and address the issue. In March 2022 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published UK-wide guidance for assessing and diagnosing FASD, building on guidance published in 2019 by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network (SIGN 156).

FASD is a public health issue, affecting roughly 3.25-5% of the general population FASD is also thought to be over-represented in justice and corrections, out-of-home care, and homelessness, mental health, and addictions services (Popova et al., 2019).

Few health professionals are familiar with the disorder and even fewer are confident in providing an assessment. In many countries, FASD remains underdiagnosed therefore, a greater diagnostic capacity is needed to meet demand (Clarren et al., 2011).

This programme will provide you with the skills and understanding to:

• recognise potential cases of FASD
• conduct a diagnostic assessment with a wider multi-disciplinary team
• develop clinical formulations of presenting difficulties
• provide care and treatment recommendations

You will be guided in this practice by an understanding of the context in which prenatal alcohol exposure occurs so that you can conduct your work in a trauma-informed, non-judgemental manner, and work sensitively with families.

The programme addresses recent calls for training in FASD for Health, Education and Social Care professionals. As the first FASD-focused university course in the UK, and one of few worldwide, this programme is designed to meet the needs of practising health and social care professionals by being accessible online and part-time.

Online learning

The programme is delivered in an online environment that provides a dynamic and collaborative learning experience.

Our flexible online learning environment allows you to access materials and learn when and where is most convenient for you. This allows you to work around your professional commitments while developing your expertise in FASD.

FASD experts from the Fetal Alcohol Advisory Support, and Training (FAAST) Team at the University of Edinburgh, NHS Scotland, and clinical academics from universities in the UK and abroad, help deliver our programme. This programme also includes opportunities to learn from individuals with lived experience of FASD.

The programme uses different methods to create a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, including:

• pre-recorded and live lectures
• live small-group seminars
• asynchronous group discussions

The content will mostly be accessed flexibly; however, some interactive live content will require engagement at specific times.

Assessment is through:

• An exam made up of multiple choice and short answer questions (Course 1)
• Coursework on example clinical cases (Courses 2 & 3)

You can also assess your progress with weekly multiple-choice questions that do not contribute to your final grade.

We are globally recognised for our research, development and innovation and we’ve provided our students with world-class teaching for more than 425 years.

An Edinburgh degree works for you

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50 and placed 22nd in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.

Our graduates are ranked 26th in the world by employers1.

Excellence in research

The University of Edinburgh has an international reputation for innovative research across a wide range of disciplines.

According to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the University is ranked fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top-ranked institution.

The REF2021 results reveal that nearly 90 per cent of the University’s research activity is in the highest categories – 4 star and 3 star – which are classified respectively as ‘ world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, a growth of 10 percentage points since the previous REF in 2014.

Innovation in teaching

The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience. We are always working to develop innovative approaches to teaching in order to discover the methods that work best for students, including e-learning techniques and peer-assisted learning.

Experts in online learning

We offer the largest portfolio of postgraduate online degrees in the UK2, welcoming more than 8,000 online students since 2005. Our flexible and supportive programmes are well-established and an increasingly popular choice for students looking to balance further study with professional or family commitments.

Beautiful capital city

Ranked in the world’s top 10 student cities3, Edinburgh is a compact city with excellent transport links, which makes it easy to get around and to travel to other parts of Scotland.

Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a modern, sophisticated and beautiful European city with a diverse, multicultural community.​

Facilities and support to help you succeed

You will have access to one of the largest and most important academic libraries in the world, housing over 1.8 million printed volumes. You’ll also benefit from 30 open-access computer labs with 24-hour access across key locations, as well as free laptop loans.

We offer a free Student Counselling Service and a University Health Centre, and our Student Disability Service provides a range of support for students with disabilities. We also offer excellent childcare services, making it easier to juggle parenthood and study.

Impressive global community

Our ambitious internationalisation strategy ensures the teaching and research we deliver offers global benefits. We’re ranked in the world's top 20 most international universities4. Students from two-thirds of the world’s countries study here.

We collaborate with a host of world-leading institutions in fields as diverse as e-science, engineering, life and medical sciences, and arts and culture. We’re also a member of the global research network Universitas 21 and the European networks Coimbra Group and LERU.

Leading on social responsibility and sustainability

We are committed to being a world leader in addressing global challenges including poverty, climate change and the growing demand for energy, food and water.

As Scotland’s first Fairtrade University, we have been promoting better conditions for farmers and communities in developing countries since 2004.

We have championed environmental sustainability since the early 1990s and were a founder signatory to the Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment 2009 and to the 10:10 campaign.

The University is host to several Global Academies committed to tackling issues related to health, justice, environment, and agriculture and food security. The Academies cross boundaries in research and teaching, adopting a multi-disciplinary response to challenging global issues.

1QS World University Rankings 2024 2Higher Education Statistics Agency 2017/18 3QS Student Cities 2023 4Times Higher Education, World’s Most International Universities 2022