Program Overview

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Introduction to the PGDip in Sleep Medicine

The PGDip in Sleep Medicine is a comprehensive two-year part-time course that covers the physiology of sleep, clinical practice, and societal implications. The course is designed to provide working healthcare professionals with the knowledge to implement sleep medicine practice into their own professional undertakings.

Course Structure

The course is delivered mostly online, with a one-week residential component. Students will engage in real-time with classmates and teaching faculty, and will have access to pre-recorded lectures, reading materials, case studies, and activities. The course consists of eight modules, providing a comprehensive overview of sleep medicine that is in line with the European Sleep Research Society's teaching and training guidelines.

Attendance

Delivery of this course is mostly online, but students will be required to attend a one-week residential component in Oxford.

Resources to Support Study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, and students will have access to over 13 million printed items, e-journals, and special collections.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute/Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Students will be assigned an academic advisor and will have access to support from the course administrators and teaching faculty.

Assessment

Modules will be assessed through a combination of written assessments, presentations, oral examinations, and/or an online exam.

Graduate Destinations

The main purpose of this course is to provide working healthcare professionals with the knowledge to implement sleep medicine practice into their own professional undertakings. Students may also decide to complete a third part-time year to convert their qualification to a master's degree, which will be useful for those who wish to pursue a research track.

Changes to the Course

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration.

Course Components

The course consists of eight core modules, covering broad sleep concepts, including:

• The physiological basis of sleep
• Sleep medicine methodological approaches
• Societal implications of sleep
• Sleep disorders and sleep comorbidities, including insomnias, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, sleep disordered breathing, sleep-related movement disorders, hypersomnias, parasomnias, neurological disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and mental health conditions.

Entry Requirements

The requirements for this course include:

• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in psychology, neuroscience, or a health-related discipline
• English language proficiency at the University's higher level
• Relevant work experience in a health-related profession
• Demonstrated relevance of sleep medicine to current practice and intention to implement it
• Research or working experience in sleep medicine or a sleep laboratory may be an advantage

Funding and Costs

The annual course fees for this course are:

• Home: Ł7,900
• Overseas: Ł12,275 Students will also need to cover their living costs, which may vary depending on their personal circumstances. The course will subsidize economy travel and basic accommodation at an Oxford College up to a maximum of Ł1,000.

College Preference

Students who enroll on this course will not be matriculated and will not become a member of an Oxford college. However, they will be expected to observe the same rules and regulations as matriculated students.

How to Apply

To apply for this course, students should submit an application form, which will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. Students will also need to provide supporting documents, including:

• Official transcript(s)
• Personal statement (maximum 500 words)
• Written work (one essay, maximum 1,000 words)
• References (three overall, academic preferred)

Admission Status

The course is open to applications for entry in the upcoming academic year. The deadline for applications is 12:00 midday UK time on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available.