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

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Clinical Psychology

Year of entry: 2027

Study options

Mode of study

Online learning

Part-time intermittent study
  • PgCert (ICL) | up to 3 years | Start date: September 2027

Key facts

School

School of Health in Social Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

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About the degree programme

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to identify the range of physical, emotional and developmental differences that may affect a person exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. 

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

This programme will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of FASD across a wide range of relevant topics including the condition’s diagnosis, causes, etiology, and epidemiology. 

It will also enhance your professional skills in the assessment, diagnosis, and formulation of FASD from childhood to adulthood, your ability to communicate FASD diagnoses in a trauma-informed, person-centred manner and give you an in depth understanding into the complexities of FASD diagnoses, including:

  • ethical considerations
  • differential diagnoses
  • post-diagnostic support

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.

Study options

This programme will offer you a flexible postgraduate degree designed for professionals. It consists of three 20-credit courses offered part-time with the option of intermittent study.

The programme can be completed within 18 months, but you have up to 3 years to take all three required courses; you must take at least 20 credits of courses each year.

If you would like to start the PgCert in January, instead of September, this can be arranged. Please contact us directly to discuss this.

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Programme benefits

  • Specifically designed to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals, it can be completed over a flexible period of between 18 to 36 months
  • Provides learners with the convenience and adaptability needed to balance academic pursuits with professional commitments
  • Addresses recent calls for training in FASD for Health, Education and Social Care professionals
  • As the first academically accredited FASD 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

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Part-time intermittent study

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, or a subsequent Masters or Doctoral qualification, in psychology, health or a related discipline.  

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may consider your application on the basis of your relevant professional qualifications.

The programme is designed for those directly involved in the assessment and diagnosis of FASD specifically; Medical professionals, Clinical or Educational Psychologists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Associates in Applied Psychology and Social Workers. Other professionals will also find the content relevant to their work including; Midwives, Health visitors and teachers working with special educational needs. The course is also relevant for those working in public health, including management, and policy makers.

You should be in possession of a current registration with an appropriate accrediting professional body or national organisation.  

You should also have a rudimentary knowledge of standardised assessments which involve scoring and analysis, e.g., use of percentiles, scaled or standard scores.

Please contact us if require further information before submitting your application. 

International equivalent qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test (restrictions apply)
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. For our online programmes only, if you’ve missed a single component requirement by no more than 0.5 you may have one attempt to improve this single score using IELTS One Skill Retake.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 5.0 with at least 4.5 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. For our online programmes only, if you’ve missed a single component requirement by no more than 1 you may have one attempt to improve this single score using Oxford ELLT Skill Retake.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

The programme is comprised of three compulsory courses.

We place a strong emphasis on including individuals with lived experience, and in each course, you will hear directly from families raising children with FASD and individuals with FASD themselves.

It is important to understand that completion of this programme will not qualify you to unilaterally undertake diagnostic assessments in the absence of a multidisciplinary team.

Because of the complexity of the outcomes related to prenatal alcohol exposure, international guidelines specify a multidisciplinary team is essential for an accurate and comprehensive assessment and subsequent management recommendations.

Compulsory courses

Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Context, Contributors and Clinical Presentation

This course focuses on developing your ability to describe and critically explain FASD, including its epidemiology, aetiology, and presentation in children and adults, and to appreciate the complexities of the condition. It provides the foundational knowledge required to identify individuals who may warrant formal diagnostic assessment.

The assessment and diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

This course equips you with the skills to contribute to the diagnostic assessment of FASD as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will develop in-depth knowledge and practical expertise, with particular emphasis on interpreting assessment findings to inform effective, individualised intervention recommendations. You will also develop the ability to communicate about FASD sensitively and with confidence, taking a person-centred, trauma-informed approach in your work with individuals and families.

Advanced Practice in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

This course builds on your assessment and diagnostic knowledge to help you navigate challenging cases with confidence. 

Through detailed consideration of complex, real-world cases, you will tackle some of the field's most difficult questions, including:

  • how to approach borderline presentations and differential diagnosis
  • how to work through the complex ethical issues that can arise
  • how to support families through uncertainty

You will also strengthen your ability to translate complex clinical pictures into clear, individualised intervention recommendations.

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Part-time intermittent study

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Your teachers will be experts in FASD with experience in the diagnosis, assessment and support of individuals with the condition.

The core team involved in the delivery of the Postgraduate Certificate are an established group with an international reputation in service delivery in the field of 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.

Assessment

Assessment is through:

  • an exam made up of multiple choice and short answer questions (Course 1)
  • coursework on example clinical cases or common issues (Courses 2 and 3)

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

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme, you will have:

  • a comprehensive understanding of the presentation, causes, epidemiology, and diagnosis of FASD
  • a critical understanding of the importance of trauma-informed, person-centred language when communicating with families, clients, and colleagues on FASD-related topics
  • the ability to coordinate and conduct assessments relevant to your professional background

After finishing this programme, you will be able to:

  • apply your skills in assessment and diagnosis to FASD
  • diagnose FASD and write case formulations
  • if applicable to your role, measure the sentinel facial features related to FASD using physical measurements, or digital photograph analysis software
  • sensitively undertake a developmental history, including asking questions about alcohol use during pregnancy
  • understand the assessments made by all members of a multi-disciplinary team
  • develop your practice in communicating an FASD diagnosis to stakeholders (for example, individuals with FASD, families, and professionals)

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

How online learning works

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.

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

  • pre-recorded lectures
  • live seminars

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

This degree programme is taught entirely online. There is no need to come to the city or University campus. 

All learning and teaching takes place within our virtual learning environment (VLE). Through the VLE, you can: 

  • access all your learning materials and study resources, including e-books and library resources
  • interact with your tutors and classmates 

An online degree from the University of Edinburgh is academically equivalent to an on-campus postgraduate degree and involves the same level of work overall. The qualification you get is of equal value. Your degree certificate will not mention that you studied the programme online.

Watch our video to see how online learning works.

Time commitment

This programme is designed to be fully flexible to fit around your schedule. You can study in your own time and access all your learning resources, such as reading lists, discussion forms and slides from anywhere in the world.  

The programme involves 2 hours pre-recorded lecture material weekly, with additional time required for reading, independent study and preparation for assessment. 

Actual study time may vary between learners and you may need to dedicate up to 10 to 20 hours per week. This may also vary from course to course, and the time commitment may increase when assignments are due.

See 'Find courses' in Programme details for more information about study time commitment

Equipment and software needs

To study this online programme, you will need access to:   

  • a computer or laptop  
  • the internet  
  • the latest version of a web browser  

As an online student, you will have access to a range of software you can download to help you complete your coursework, including Microsoft Office 365. 

IT support is available if you have technical difficulties.  

IT and computing help

Support for online students

Career opportunities

This programme equips graduates to take on important roles in both child and adult services, contributing to and (where appropriate) leading the coordination and interpretation of multidisciplinary FASD assessments. 

The knowledge and skills you develop are designed to enhance your practice within your existing professional field, with any such roles undertaken in line with your professional qualifications, training and scope of practice.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
13 September 2027 2 August 2027

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete. 

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit one reference with your application. This should be a professional reference from your line manager. 

Your suitability will be established through your application and reference. Your reference should provide evidence of your applied experience.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

General enquiries

Contact our project coordinator about your eligibility or how to apply.

Contact us

Academic contact

Dr Suzanne O'Rourke

Programme Director

  • School of Health in Social Science
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • University of Edinburgh

Contact details

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