PgDip Sensory Integration

Year of Entry 2025/26
Sensory Integration image

PgDip

Sensory Integration

Distance learning Occupational therapy

Develop advanced knowledge and skills in sensory integration, and become an agent of change within your own workplace.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Please see the Fees and Funding Section below

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    19 months

  • Location
  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2025
    February 2026


Course summary

  • Develop your knowledge of sensory integration.
  • Understand the experience of sensory processing and integration difficulties. 
  • Explore how services can effectively support people.  
  • Study current Ayres Sensory Integration® practice, its application and evidence base.
  • Gain the confidence to practice as a Sensory Integration Practitioner (Advanced).  

This course is available to occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech and language therapists who’ve completed a postgraduate certificate in sensory integration.

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 John Guite (J.Guite@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

 

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

  • Flexible Online Learning: Access recorded lectures and resources when it suits your schedule.
  • Live Workshops: Participate in optional live sessions to collaborate with peers and apply your learning.
  • Case Studies: Work through realistic scenarios with a range of client profiles to practise addressing different sensory integration challenges.
  • Peer and Mentor Support: Gain insights from your online community of peers and personal e-Mentor for guidance and enhanced understanding.
  • Clinical Experience: Apply your skills and knowledge in practice, supported by a Clinical Mentor.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is available if you’ve completed sensory integration modules or the postgraduate certificate at Ulster University.

Applied learning

Work placements

Foundations in Sensory Integration Module: Complete 10 virtual practice hours integrated into the first module. These hours will provide initial hands-on experience with sensory integration concepts in a controlled environment.

Assessment and Therapeutic Intervention in Sensory Integration Module: Apply your learning through 20 practice hours in your own work setting or in alternative settings that you have sourced. This module includes 2 clinical mentoring sessions to support your practice and provide expert guidance.

Advancing Practice in Sensory Integration Module: Undertake 30 practice hours, again in your own work environment or a setting you’ve sourced. This module includes 3 clinical mentoring sessions, offering further support and feedback as you deepen your practice

Networking opportunities

You’ll 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

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

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%)
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
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
Sensory Integration 4: Advanced Practice
Credits 30
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 £12,858 is available in 2025/26 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 apply?

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 rated Gold in the 2023 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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You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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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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