Why OTs train in sensory integration

Sensory processing differences can block the everyday activities your clients need and want to do — dressing, eating, attending, regulating, and participating in daily life. Without an SI lens, the reasons behind those difficulties can remain unclear, and interventions can miss the mark.

SI training gives you a framework to understand what's actually driving the difficulty — and the clinical tools to do something meaningful about it.

After completing the PGCert, you'll be able to:

• Select and use standardised SI assessment tools with confidence
• Interpret assessment findings and build evidence-informed formulations
• Design individualised, participation-focused intervention plans
• Apply ASI® principles across home, school, clinic, and community settings
• Explain sensory processing differences clearly to clients, families, and MDT colleagues
• Critically appraise SI research and apply emerging evidence to your practice
• Progress toward SI Practitioner (Advanced) status with further modules

Why SLTs train in sensory integration

Communication, feeding, and swallowing don't happen in isolation — they depend on sensory and motor systems working together effectively. When a client processes sensory information differently, it can affect oral motor control, attention, regulation, and the ability to engage in therapy itself. If that's not part of your assessment, you may be missing a significant piece of the picture.

SI training gives you a clinical framework to identify sensory contributions to the presentations you're already working with — and plan intervention that addresses the whole person.

After completing the PGCert, you'll be able to:

• Assess how sensory processing differences affect communication, feeding, and swallowing
• Integrate SI findings into your formulations for more accurate, complete assessments
• Plan and adapt therapy that accounts for your client's sensory processing profile
• Apply ASI® principles to support oral motor development, regulation, and participation
• Explain sensory contributions to communication difficulties to families, carers, and MDT colleagues
• Critically appraise SI evidence and apply it to non-traditional SLT populations
• Use your PGCert as a foundation to progress toward SI Practitioner (Advanced) status

Why physiotherapists train in sensory integration

As a physiotherapist, you help people move better and live well. But movement difficulties don't always have a straightforward mechanical cause. Sensory processing affects body awareness, motor planning, balance, and posture — and when you understand it, you can get much closer to what's actually driving a client's physical difficulties, not just what's visible on assessment.

You'll be able to:

• Recognise how sensory processing differences affect movement, coordination, and posture
• Assess sensory contributions to motor difficulties in children and adults
• Develop more accurate formulations by integrating a sensory processing lens
• Plan interventions that address underlying sensory drivers, not just presenting symptoms
• Apply evidence-based SI strategies to support rehabilitation, development, and daily function

Good to know: Physiotherapists can progress through the full pathway — PGCert, PGDip, and MSc — making this a complete route to Advanced SI Practitioner status.

Why nurses train in sensory integration

If you work with people who are neurodivergent, have neurological conditions, developmental differences, or mental health needs, sensory processing is often a significant — and overlooked — part of the picture. SI training helps you assess what's happening and respond in ways that reduce distress, improve engagement, and support better outcomes.

You'll be able to:

• Recognise how sensory processing differences present in your patient group
• Factor sensory needs into your assessments and care planning
• Reduce sensory-related distress through practical environmental and approach adjustments
• Communicate sensory needs clearly to colleagues, families, and multidisciplinary teams
• Advocate for sensory-informed approaches in your service or setting

Good to know: NMC-registered nurses can complete Module A and Module B to achieve PGCert and SI Practitioner status.

Why psychologists train in sensory integration

Sensory processing differences can drive behaviour, affect emotion regulation, disrupt learning, and limit participation — yet they're frequently missed in psychological assessment and formulation. SI training gives you a clearer lens for understanding what's behind the presentation, and practical tools for working more effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

You'll be able to:

• Identify sensory processing differences that may be contributing to behaviour, anxiety, or dysregulation
• Strengthen your formulations by integrating a sensory processing perspective
• Recommend sensory-informed strategies that complement psychological intervention
• Collaborate more effectively with OTs and other professionals in MDT settings
• Bring a more complete picture to assessments for neurodivergent clients

Eligibility: HCPC-registered practitioner psychologists can complete Module A and Module B to achieve PGCert and SI Practitioner status.

More professions can now join the pathway

Sensory integration training is relevant across a wide range of health, education, and social care roles. If your work brings you into contact with people whose sensory processing differences affect their behaviour, participation, or wellbeing — this training will strengthen what you can do for them.

Current entry routes by profession:

• Art, drama, and music therapists; social workers (SWE or equivalent): Modules A–C (PGCert/PGDip)
• Teachers (QTS/TRA); play therapists (PTUK or BAPT): Module A
• Other professionals: considered case by case — get in touch to discuss your eligibility

You'll gain:

• A clearer framework for understanding sensory-driven behaviour and presentation
• Practical strategies you can apply within your existing role and scope
• Formal recognition of your learning through university-accredited credits

Check your eligibility →

Our postgraduate pathway is designed for busy clinicians and structured for real-world learning.

You’ll get:

Online access 24/7

Learn in your own time with high-quality teaching resources and clear pacing.

Live teaching and interaction

Sessions and activities designed to help you integrate theory into clinical reasoning.

Supportive learning community

Peer learning, reflective tasks, and shared practice development.

Journal Club 

Stay connected, supported, and current - with guided reading and discussion.

Clinical application built in

You’ll be supported to apply learning to your practice (with supervision/mentorship embedded where needed).

We are now transitioning to restructured modules, maintaining the same excellent quality standards and support. The award-winning Sheffield Hallam University remains the accrediting university. 

You can book one or more modules at a time. Modules must be completed in order.

* Payment plans available for self-funding students only. The first instalment is due 15 days after booking.

Discounts: A 5% discount is available for single orders of £10,000 or more.

Potential Additional Cost:

Clinical Mentor Sessions: 

• Module B - 2 hours
• Module C - 3 hours

You may:

• Use a workplace-based clinical mentor at no additional cost, or

• Arrange an external clinical mentor (approx. £50 per hour).

We know this training is a big commitment - both time and money. Most people need to plan ahead, line up funding, or spread the cost. You don’t have to work it out on your own.

Funding options 

1) Employer funding

Many learners are funded by their employer (NHS services, schools, charities, or private practice). We can give you templates to help you ask for support.

• Download: NHS funding request template

• Download: employer funding request template

2) Interest-free payment plans (self-funding)

If you’re paying yourself, you can spread the cost with interest-free monthly payments.

Payment plans

• Modules A, B or C: 5 monthly payments of £350

• PGCert (A+B): 10 monthly payments of £350

• PGDip (A+B+C): 10 monthly payments of £525

Payment plans are for self-funding learners only. The first payment is due 15 days after booking.

3) Postgraduate loan (MSc route)

If you plan to complete the full MSc (Modules A–E), you may be able to apply for a UK postgraduate loan (subject to eligibility).

• Explore postgraduate funding options here

Time commitment (plan realistically)

This pathway is built for working clinicians. It’s online and flexible, but you’ll need regular study time each week.

Many learners plan for:

• 5–6 hours per week (for example, one evening + half a day at the weekend)

• Extra time near assignment deadlines

• Time to apply learning in practice and reflect on it

Tip: if you’re asking for employer funding, raise study time early. Even a small amount of protected time helps.

Planning checklist

To set yourself up well:

• Choose a weekly study routine you can stick to

• Decide your funding route (employer or self-funding)

• Sort support early (study time, case access, mentoring)

• Apply early so you can plan properly

Need help choosing the right route?
Book a call and we’ll help you with eligibility, pathway options, and funding planning.

View course dates and apply →

PGCert in SI (Modules A and B) must be completed within 12 months.

PGDip in SI (Modules A, B, and C) must be completed within 19 months.

MSc Advancing Practice in SI (Modules A-E) must be completed within 36 months.

View course dates and apply →

Your eligibility to transfer depends on the Sensory Integration (SI) modules you have already completed:

• If you have completed SI Modules 2, 3, or 4, you may continue on the original programme pathway.

• If you have completed SI Modules 1 and 2 with us, you can choose to transfer to the new programme and proceed directly to Module B to complete your PGCert in Sensory Integration.

• If you have already completed a PGCert in Sensory Integration with us under the original structure (SI Modules 1, 2, and 3), you may progress directly to Module C to work towards your PGDip in Sensory Integration.

• If you completed SI Module 1 within the last five years, you can transfer to the new programme by completing a short Bridging Module* before progressing to Module B of the PGCert in Sensory Integration. 

* The bridging unit (Fee: £500) is designed to build on your existing learning and ensure you have covered the full range of underpinning theory, clinical reasoning, and practical application taught in Module A. This ensures you enter Module B fully prepared and aligned with other students on the new programme.

Explore the Bridging Module →

SI Module 3 (PGCert) Clinical Reasoning and Practice in Sensory Integration: Intervention →

(19 weeks)

SI Module 4 (PGDip) Advanced Practice →

(16 weeks)

SI Module 5 Researching for Practice →

(12 weeks)

SI Module 6 (MSc)  Dissertation →

(48 weeks)

PGCert in SI (SI Modules 1, 2 and 3) must be completed within 24 months.

PGDip in SI (SI Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4) must be completed within 36 months.

MSc Advancing Practice in SI (SI Modules 1-6) must be completed within 48 months.

* Payment plans available for self-funding students only. The first instalment is due 15 days after booking.

Discounts: A 5% discount is available for single orders of £10,000 or more.

Potential Additional Cost:

Clinical Mentor Sessions: 

• SI Module 3 - 3 hours
• SI Module 4 - 3 hours

You may:

• Use a workplace-based clinical mentor at no additional cost, or

• Arrange an external clinical mentor (approx. £50 per hour).