MSc Advancing Practice Sensory Integration

Year of Entry 2025/26
Sensory Integration image

MSc

Advancing Practice Sensory Integration

Distance learning Occupational therapy

Develop your knowledge and understanding of the neuroscience underpinning sensory integration and processing, and the theory and application of Ayres Sensory Integration.

Everything you need to know...


Course summary

  • Gain the knowledge and confidence to work in advanced sensory integration.
  • See how your learning can contribute to the growing evidence base. 
  • Plan and implement a research study focused on sensory integration. 

This course is available to occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to develop first as a practitioner in sensory integration – and then as an advanced practitioner. 

There are multiple intakes of each sensory integration module throughout the year – you can check start dates on the Sensory Integration Education (SIE) website. You’re welcome to discuss your most appropriate pattern of study, funding and study goals with the collaborative course lead Colette Edwards (c.d.beecher@shu.ac.uk), or by contacting support@sensoryintegration.org.uk.


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How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

You’ll be part of an online community that’s multi-disciplinary in nature and promotes peer and tutor support. 

You learn through 

  • online presentations and lessons
  • webinars 
  • independent study tasks 
  • online discussion boards and meetings 
  • online activities 

In the research methods module, you’ll have access to a multi-disciplinary teaching team and an e-tutor. You’ll have your own research supervisor as well – they’ll support you through your research dissertation. You’ll also have access to a range of electronic resources. 

Course leaders and tutors

Colette Beecher
Colette Beecher
Senior Lecturer In Occupational Therapy

Colette Qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1990 and is a Specialist Occupational Therapist in Neurology. Her previous work history has involved working in neu … Read more

Applied learning

Work placements

Both the postgraduate certificate and diploma include up to 60 clinical hours, which sit within the sensory integration modules. These clinical hours can be completed within your own workplace – or you can arrange to complete them in another suitable environment. 

You’ll also be supported in clinical mentoring sessions to help you hone your clinical skills. Your mentor will be from the SIE register of clinical mentors – or from your workplace if you have a suitable mentor at work who’s an advanced practitioner in sensory integration. You’ll usually have around three hours of mentoring per module. 

Networking opportunities

When you start the course you’ll become a member of SIE’s community of best practice – the Association of Sensory Integration Practitioners (ASIP). 


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in 

  • healthcare 
  • social care 
  • education 
  • third sector organisations 
  • private practice  

Where will I study?

You study this course online from any location


Equipment and facilities

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Entry requirements

All students

Normally, applicants will hold a first degree or professional qualification in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Speech and Language Therapy which is recognised in the UK.

Equivalent, international academic and/or professional qualifications will be accepted.

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 overall and a minimum of 6.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent.

Additional information for EU/International students

This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.


Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.

Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Sensory Integration 1: Foundations And Neuroscience
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sensory Integration 2: Clinical Reasoning In Sensory Integration: Assessment
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sensory Integration 3: Clinical Reasoning And Practice In Sensory Integration: Intervention
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sensory Integration 4: Advanced Practice
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Dissertation 45 Credits
Credits 45
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Researching For Practice (Distance Learning)
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 165.7KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

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Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Funding

Home students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year, eligibility applies

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Training

We are one of the largest training providers of health and social care in the UK, giving you access to cross-discipline learning

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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