Sleep Medicine

As a student on the PGDip in Sleep Medicine, you will spend two years engaging in a comprehensive taught programme covering the physiology of sleep, through to clinical practice and societal implications. Delivery is mostly online, with a one-week residential component. You will engage regularly in real time with class mates and teaching faculty.

The PGDip is a part-time course, spread over two years. During that time you will complete eight modules, providing a comprehensive overview of sleep medicine that is in line with the European Sleep Research Society's teaching and training guidelines. These modules include:

• The Physiological Basis of Sleep
• Introduction to Sleep Medicine and Methodological Approaches
• Circadian Rhythm Disruption and Sleep
• Insomnias
• Sleep Disordered Breathing and Sleep-related Movement Disorders
• Hypersomnias and Parasomnias
• Sleep in Specialist Populations
• Sleep and Society

Each module will be assessed by an extended essay, entailing a total of four extended essays submitted every academic year: two at the end of the second and third terms. 

Pattern of teaching, learning and supervision

The course is designed to give as much flexibility as possible, whilst still providing necessary support and community. Lectures are pre-recorded and sent for you to watch in your own time, alongside any relevant reading, case studies and activities. You will join regular discussion groups; these are run using conferencing software, allowing you to interact in real-time with classmates and teaching faculty and will typically last one hour. For these sessions you will be expected to prepare short essays and/or presentations for discussion. You will also be expected to attend a week-long residential school in person at Oxford.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in psychology, neuroscience or a health-related discipline.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants will have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

In cases where a strong first-class degree cannot be demonstrated, a masters level qualification or strong professional experience will also be considered. It is expected that most applicants will currently be working in a health-related profession. Students are expected to have good IT skills. As the course is primarily pursued online, students will need to be familiar with communicating in this way and will be expected to ensure adequate internet connection and audio-visual equipment to engage fully with the course. 

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Personal statement:Up to 500 words
• Written work:One essay of up to 1,000 words
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The University of Oxford offers financing options for students enrolled in its Sleep Medicine programmes to support their academic pursuits and reduce financial barriers. Tuition fees for postgraduate courses vary depending on the specific degree and student status, with international students often paying higher fees than home students. The university provides a range of funding opportunities, including scholarships, bursaries, and grants, some of which are specifically targeted at medical and health sciences students. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the dedicated funding pages on the university’s official website for detailed information about available scholarships, application procedures, and eligibility criteria. Additionally, students may consider external funding sources such as governmental scholarships, research council grants, or professional associations related to sleep medicine and healthcare. The university also collaborates with various charitable foundations and professional bodies that offer funding for research and specialist studies in the field of sleep medicine. Financial aid may sometimes be awarded based on academic merit, research potential, or financial need. To facilitate funding applications, the university recommends early planning and thorough preparation of necessary documentation. Loan options may be available through external financial institutions, but students are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions before proceeding. The university’s student support services provide guidance and advice on funding opportunities, budgeting, and financial planning to help students manage their studies effectively. Some postgraduate courses, including those in medicine and health sciences, may also qualify students for government-sponsored loan schemes or repayment plans. In summary, while specific details on financing studies in Sleep Medicine at Oxford can vary, the university offers a comprehensive support framework to assist students in funding their education, emphasizing early engagement with available resources and proactive planning to ensure financial stability throughout their course duration.

The University of Oxford offers a comprehensive programme in Sleep Medicine, aiming to equip students with a deep understanding of sleep physiology, disorders, and treatment approaches. This programme is designed for healthcare professionals, researchers, and clinicians interested in advancing their knowledge in the field. The curriculum typically covers a wide range of topics, including the neurobiology of sleep, diagnostic techniques such as polysomnography, and the management of sleep-related disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome. Students have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and develop skills necessary for clinical practice or academic work in sleep medicine. The programme often includes lectures, seminars, practical training, and assessments to ensure a thorough educational experience. It aims to foster multidisciplinary collaboration, integrating insights from neurology, psychiatry, respiratory medicine, and other relevant fields. Graduates of the programme are prepared to contribute effectively to patient care, research, and policy development related to sleep health. For detailed entry requirements, duration, and specific modules, prospective students should refer to the University of Oxford's official website or contact the programme administration directly, as these details may vary year by year.