Sensory Integration Education

Module E is the culmination of your postgraduate journey. You'll carry out an original research project in your chosen area of sensory integration practice — contributing new knowledge to the field and demonstrating the full depth of your clinical and academic expertise.

Successfully complete Module E and you'll be awarded the MSc in Advancing Practice in Sensory Integration from Sheffield Hallam University — the world's first Masters qualification in sensory integration.

Summary

This module runs in September, January and May in each academic year and is for students who have gained a PGDip in Sensory Integration AND passed Module D (Research and Innovation in Healthcare Practice). 

Returning after a break?

If you completed Module D more than five years ago, please contact us before applying — we'll help you understand your options and next steps.

Single module fee: £2,655

• 45 UK university academic credits - globally recognised and highly transferable
• 48-week course (fixed start and end dates)
• 450 independent learning hours 
• Online access to partner Sheffield Hallam University Library and Disabled Student Support
• Free Microsoft Office 365

Eligibility

Please review our Entry Conditions before applying.

Overview

Module E is your opportunity to conduct original research that matters — to your practice, your clients, and the wider SI field. Working with both an SHU and an SIE supervisor, you'll design, conduct, and report on an independent research project relevant to your professional practice.

You can undertake primary or secondary research, and you have the choice of submitting either a traditional thesis or an article written for publication — giving you flexibility to produce work that has real-world impact beyond the qualification itself.

Module Content

Relevant content will vary according to the student’s chosen research methodology; however, common elements include exploration of: 

• Background and context of chosen theme, contextualising the Research Question
• Individual Research Question design using recognised tools
• Select and justify chosen methodology 
• Gain approval for Ethical and Research Governance for professional practice, from the University and any organisation in relation to data.
• Data analysis, management, and security
• Collate, synthesise and evaluate evidence 
• Explore the impact and create recommendations for practice and research dissemination

Learning and Teaching Summary

Our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. 

This module requires you to complete a self-directed research project. Beyond induction, you will utilise the guidance of a designated supervisor and access a wealth of supportive resources and literature within module folders and through self-discovery in the library gateway and available search databases (e.g. Medline, Scopus, etc). 

This module enables you to undertake real-world research through exploring, discovering, and analysing key findings from data collection.  You will be expected to critically demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behaviours relevant to your chosen topic, and undertake evidence-based analysis of research methods, data analysis and relevance of your work to professional practice. You will be expected to demonstrate the impact of your research through recommendations for practice and a realistic dissemination strategy.

All students must gain ethical approval in accordance with the University’s Research Ethics Committee (UREC) Processes, and any appropriate organisation BEFORE commencing their chosen research project.  

An independent reviewer will be assigned to your project if you are undertaking data collection considered to be of any risk to the health and well-being of the public.   

In independent study, students must complete an individual research project focused on an area within their own professional practice.  

Learning Outcomes

• Undertake an individual research study appropriate to a contemporary issue within your professional practice, demonstrating critical justification of your focus, methodology and findings through engagement with relevant evidence. 
• Generate, analyse and interpret qualitative, quantitative, or mixed/multi methods research data using appropriate methods, and compile an effective report of your research in accordance with academic conventions.
• Critically discuss the methods used, ethical and governance requirements in relation to relevant existing literature or frameworks, and issues that arose (including limitations of your work).
• Critically reflect upon the implications of your findings for professional practice, policy, or further research, and your plans for research dissemination.

Supervision for SIE Students

Students will have both a SHU (Sheffield Hallam University) and an SIE (Sensory Integration Education) supervisor.

SIE supervision (3 hours total):

• Hour 1: Proposal development
• Hour 2: Results discussion
• Hour 3: Discussion and dissemination planning

SHU supervision (7 hours total):

• Includes meetings/phone calls, reading drafts, and providing feedback.

Assessment

Dissertation format — your choice

You can submit your dissertation in one of two formats:

Option 1 — Monograph thesis with viva voceA 6,000-word written thesis, followed by a 20-minute oral examination with your supervisor (viva voce) in which you discuss and defend your findings.

Option 2 — Article for publicationA 4,000-word article written for submission to a professional or academic journal, plus a 2,000-word methodological justification. This option is ideal if you want your research to reach a wider audience and contribute directly to the published SI evidence base.

You've made it

Completing Module E marks the end of the postgraduate pathway — and the beginning of your life as an MSc-qualified SI practitioner.

 You'll join a community of graduates who have transformed their practice, contributed to the evidence base, and earned one of the most distinctive qualifications in sensory integration.

Explore the full postgraduate pathway → 

Apply now →