Our Story
From Vision to Foundation
Our journey began long before the official launch of the Master program. Since 1997, the Bernese Sleep–Wake Days created a platform for interdisciplinary exchange. This was followed by three International Narcolepsy Meetings (1998, 2004, 2009) and the first Alpine Sleep Summer School in 2011. The strong international interest in these initiatives led to further Sleep Schools in Ljubljana (2013) and Lugano (2015), and in 2018 to the first Sleep Science Winter School in Wengen.
These educational milestones revealed both a clear need and a growing community. In 2017, the European Sleep Foundation (ESF) was established with a mission to advance knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote education in sleep and circadian science. From its inception, the creation of a university-level postgraduate Master program was a central goal.
Launch of the MAS in Sleep Medicine (2017)
In 2017, the Universities of Bern and Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), in close collaboration with Inselspital Bern, the Ospedale Regionale in Lugano, and an international network of partner universities, launched the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Sleep Medicine.
The first cycle (2017–2020) welcomed 17 students from three continents. Designed according to Bologna standards, the program offered a structured pathway from Certificate (CAS) to Diploma (DAS) and finally the MAS degree, combining online teaching with in-person summer schools in Switzerland.
From the beginning, our vision was international, interdisciplinary, and flexible—bringing together physicians, scientists, and health professionals committed to advancing sleep medicine.
Adapting and Growing
The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point. While it temporarily disrupted in-person activities, it also accelerated innovation. The second cycle (from 2021) introduced a fully online curriculum, modularized lectures, and a more flexible timeline. This transformation expanded accessibility and strengthened our global reach. In 2023, the third cycle began with 23 international participants from 14 countries; they graduated in fall 2025. The fourth cycle started in spring 2025 with 20 international participants from 15 countries. The next starting date is planned for March 2027.
For the 2027–2029 cohort, we are pleased to confirm that the programme will comprise 90 ECTS credits, an increase from the previous 60 ECTS credits. The revised regulations have been approved and are scheduled to be formally signed by the University of Bern and the Università della Svizzera italiana in autumn 2026.
With a growing network of 14 partner universities worldwide and expanding collaborations across Europe and Asia, the program continues to evolve.
Crash Course in Sleep Medicine
In 2023, we introduced an annual Crash Course in Sleep Medicine to prepare participants for national and international board examinations. New advanced modules address emerging topics such as insomnia, epilepsy, narcolepsy, neurodegeneration, gender and diversity, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies in sleep medicine.