PgCert Sensory Integration

Year of Entry 2025/26
Sensory Integration image

PgCert

Sensory Integration

Distance learning Occupational therapy

Learn the scientific and theoretical foundations of sensory processing and integration, and develop the clinical skills required to work as a sensory integration practitioner.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Please see the Fees and Funding Section below
    Please see the Fees and Funding Section below

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    2 Years

  • Location
  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2025
    January 2026
    April 2026


Course summary

  • Join a course run in partnership with Sensory Integration Education (SIE).
  • Study the neuroscience underpinning sensory integration and processing. 
  • Understand the theory and application of Ayres Sensory Integration®.
  • Explore sensory integration and processing throughout the lifespan with a range of individuals.

This course is available to occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech and language therapists. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to practise as a sensory integration practitioner.

There are multiple start dates of each sensory integration module throughout the year. To work out your most appropriate pattern of study, please contact the collaborative course lead Colette Edwards (c.d.beecher@shu.ac.uk) or the Sensory Integration Education Helpdesk (support@sensoryintegration.org.uk) to talk about your circumstances, funding arrangements and goals for study.


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.

Each module ensures the perspective of the person and their family (the service user) is at the heart of the learning. You’ll have your own module e-mentor who supports your individual learning needs – plus an online study group offering peer learning support.

You learn through

  • online presentations and lectures
  • module e-mentor facilitated forum discussions
  • quizzes and practical activities
  • independent study tasks
  • online activities
  • clinical hours and reflection

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

The postgraduate certificate includes 40 clinical hours, which can be completed in your own workplace – or you can arrange to complete them in another suitable environment. 

You’re also supported by mentoring sessions, facilitated by a mentor of your choosing from the SIE register of clinical mentors. In these sessions you’ll develop both your clinical reasoning and intervention skills.

Networking opportunities

You’ll also become a member of Sensory Integration Education’s community of best practice when you start your studies – 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 

You could also go on to further study – with either a postgraduate diploma in sensory integration (along with Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner status awarded by SIE) or a Masters in sensory integration.

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.

Applicants are usually required to provide at least one reference evidencing your capability for postgraduate study.

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

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


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%)
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Sensory Integration 3: Clinical Reasoning And Practice In Sensory Integration: Intervention
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Please visit the Sensory Integration Education (SIE) website (below) for details on the tuition fee for this course. https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/pages/postgraduate-courses To study this course you will need to apply directly through the SIE website.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Please visit the Sensory Integration Education (SIE) website (below) for details on the tuition fee for this course. https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/pages/postgraduate-courses To study this course you will need to apply directly through the SIE website.

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.

Learn more

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 reply?

Complete an application form on the Sensory Integration website to apply for this course.

Apply now

Not ready to apply just yet?

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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Come to an open day

You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Receive emails about postgraduate study, including application reminders and alerts for open days.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

Learn more

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