Overview

Who is the course for?

Sleep medicine is a rapidly growing specialty. This course will be of interest, therefore, to a wide range of physicians (e.g. respiratory physicians, neurologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, geriatricians, GPs, specialists who are focused on ‘behavioural sleep medicine’ (e.g. clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists), clinical neurophysiologists, applied sleep scientists, sleep technologists, and nurses; as well as those who are relatively early in their careers recently graduating from undergraduate education.  

What qualifications will I receive?

The course offers two potential qualifications: Post-graduate Diploma (PgDip) and Masters (MSc). You can either enrol for a two-year PgDip or a two-year MSc. Students who complete the PgDip can apply to convert to the MSc for a further third year of study. Individual modules are also offered as Short Courses.

MSc students are affiliated to Somerville College.

As an Oxford graduate you will obtain a specialist credential to promote your development and practice. This course will also help you prepare for professional sleep society examinations. The programme however does not in itself confer a licence to practice. You would be expected to practise within your own professional codes and the boundaries of your professional certification.

How is the course delivered?

The course is almost entirely online. Pre-recorded materials (video and written) can be reviewed at your convenience, complemented by moderated online discussion groups (typically weekly). These are held at two different times to accommodate the different time zones of students on the course. Attendance is required at these sessions. An active online learning community keeps students in touch with each other.

MSc students will be assigned a college advisor who will monitor your progress through the course, and a dissertation supervisor who will support you through the production of your dissertation. PgDip students will be assigned a course advisor who will monitor your progress through the course.

Opportunities for Work Experience and Internships

While the programme does not offer work experience or internships, students will attend the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute in Oxford for one week as part of the compulsory residential school. This will provide the opportunity to meet with leading sleep scientists and clinicians and to further develop skills in sleep medicine.