Skip to content Accessibility statement

The Science of Sleep

Understanding sleep’s crucial role in mental health and cognition

4 hour Self-Study Course

Course Leaders: Dr Scott Cairney and Dr Alexander Reid

This four-hour, online course offers a comprehensive introduction to the science of sleep. 

Across four modules, it will provide learners with knowledge about the main characteristics of sleep, as well as an understanding of how sleep supports mental health and cognition. 

Learners will also gain insights into the ways in which sleep can be improved to promote mood and wellbeing.  

Key course features include;

  • Science-led research from a leading sleep research unit at the University of York’s Department of Psychology
  • Teaching conducted by Award-Winning University of York sleep scientists
  • Four-module course at a level suitable for individuals working across a range of sectors
  • Online content that can be accessed at the learner’s convenience
  • A course completion certificate will be issued on completion of the course

The course is designed to benefit anyone who has a particular interest in the science of sleep, for example: 

  • Mental Health Professionals - Clinical Psychologists, Counsellors, Nurses, Care Workers and Support Staff 
  • Other NHS Health Professionals - Neurologists, GPs, Nurses, Physios and Occupational Therapists
  • Educators Sport Scientists and Coaches
  • University Students 

Course booking

Please wait, loading courses...
Course participants will

By the end of the course, the learner will be well-versed in the fundamentals of sleep science.

They will have expertise in sleep’s essential functions and will be able to apply this knowledge in personal and professional settings.

Course overview

The course features four downloadable one-hour web recordings which can be viewed at any time within a 28 day period. 

By the end of module one, the learner will have an awareness of the fundamentals of sleep, its characteristics, and its importance for health and wellbeing. They will be able to apply this knowledge to their personal and professional lives to foster improved wellbeing and productivity. 

By the end of module two, the learner will develop an appreciation of the relationship between sleep and mood, and develop an awareness of the link between sleep disturbances and psychiatric mood disorders. They will also understand how sleep helps the brain regulate emotions and control unwanted thoughts. This knowledge will enable them to use sleep more effectively for the benefit of their own and others’ mental health and wellbeing.

By the end of module three, the learner will understand how memories are strengthened during sleep, and how such processes are influenced by the emotional content of past experiences. They will also gain an appreciation of how contemporary scientific techniques can be used to influence memory processing in sleep. 

By the end of module four, the learner will have a solid understanding of the factors that are relevant to improving their sleep, such as diet, exercise and caffeine intake. This will dovetail nicely with the other modules to inform learners how to get the most out of sleep to improve their health, cognition and wellbeing.

Tutors

The course will be led by Dr Alexander Reid and Professor Scott Cairney, educators and researchers at the University of York’s Department of Psychology with specialist knowledge in Sleep Science.

Costs and how to access the course materials

The cost for the four-module course is £165.00

Payment is made online by Credit/Debit Card (please note the University of York does not accept American Express cards).

The course materials are accessed by the Universities Virtual Learning Environment, you will be sent login details shortly after you sign up.

Access to the VLE won't be immediate.

Terms and Conditions

Payment
Online payment via credit or debit card is preferred. Payment by invoice incurs an additional charge of £30. Please note that the University of York cannot accept American Express cards

Access 
The course will be available to access for 28 days from the date of payment. If the learner requires additional time to be able to complete the course, please contact cpd@york.ac.uk. 

Cancellations
Cancellations can be made within 14 days of payment, provided that the course materials have not been accessed within this time. For the avoidance of doubt, this right to cancel is lost once materials are accessed. Please contact cpd@york.ac.uk for more information. 

Materials
Course participants are not permitted to copy, modify, publish, transmit, distribute, publicly display, reverse engineer, create derivative works of, or sell any University of York materials (including but not limited to University of York downloadable online materials), excluding information that is in the public domain or has been licensed to the delegate. 

Liability
The Learning Management System (LMS) and the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) are provided “as is” and we exclude all representations, warranties, conditions and terms expressly or implied by statute, common law or otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by law. We do not guarantee that:

  • use of the LMS, VLE or Zoom will be compatible with all hardware and software,
  • use of the LMS, VLE or Zoom will be uninterrupted or error or virus free,
  • use of the LMS, VLE or Zoom will deliver any specific outcome for its users, or
  • defects on the LMS, VLE or Zoom will be corrected (save for those defects which the University of York is obliged to correct by law).

The delegate must take appropriate steps to ensure that they regularly check for and protect against viruses when using the LMS, VLE or Zoom on any device.

We may terminate the delegate account or access to/use of the LMS or VLE with immediate effect:

  • if we reasonably believe the delegate is in breach of these terms and conditions and/or the  code of conduct;
  • in order to prevent any abusive, fraudulent or unlawful activity;
  • where necessary to prevent or stop any harm or damage to the university, any learner or the general public.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the aggregate liability of the University of York, to the delegate the Customer, to under or in relation to these terms and conditions shall be limited to the total price payable by the delegate under these terms and conditions.

Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude or limit liability for negligence resulting in personal injury or death; fraud; or for any other type of liability that, by law, cannot be limited or excluded. 

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and the parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Through registering for a course, applicants are deemed to have accepted the above Terms and Conditions.