Sensory Integration Education

Why Occupational Therapists Train in Sensory Integration

As an Occupational Therapist, you help people of all ages live fuller, more independent lives. But when sensory processing differences are present, everyday tasks - from dressing and eating to focusing and participating - can become overwhelming or impossible. Becoming a qualified Sensory Integration Practitioner gives you the knowledge and tools to assess and address these challenges with confidence.

• Deepen Your Clinical Expertise
• Use Standardised, Evidence-Based Assessment Tools
• Support Neurodivergent Clients More Effectively
• Gain an Accredited Qualification
• Stand Out in a Competitive Field

How Speech and Language Therapists Can Use Sensory Integration

As a Speech and Language Therapist, your work in supporting communication, eating, drinking, and swallowing relies on finely tuned sensory and motor systems. Sensory processing differences can significantly impact these areas, making it vital to understand and address them in your assessments and interventions.

• Sensory processing plays a key role in communication, oral motor control, and feeding behaviours.
• Identifying sensory differences is essential for accurate assessment and effective therapy planning.
• With specialist training in sensory integration, you’ll gain the tools to better support clients with sensory-related challenges.

As a Physiotherapist, you help people move better, live well, and achieve a higher quality of life.

But did you know that sensory processing plays a critical role in movement, body awareness, balance, and postural control? Sensory integration knowledge enhances physiotherapy practice by giving you deeper insight into the "why" behind your clients’ physical challenges. By evaluating how your clients process sensory input, you’ll better understand their movement patterns and functional limitations. Our evidence-informed CPD courses and SI Practitioner qualification provide you with the knowledge and tools to integrate sensory approaches confidently into your clinical practice.

• Deepen your understanding of how sensory processing influences motor performance and functional skills.
• Gain assessment tools to identify sensory challenges in both adults and children.
• Use evidence-based strategies to support development, recovery, or rehabilitation.

Why Registered Nurses Train in Sensory Integration

As a registered nurse, you’re already skilled in holistic, person-centred care. Adding a sensory integration qualification deepens your ability to assess and respond to the complex needs of individuals across the lifespan - especially those with neurological, developmental, or mental health conditions.

• Understand Behaviour Through a Sensory Lens
• Improve Assessment and Care Planning
• Enhance Multi-Disciplinary Working
• Qualified SI Practitioners are highly valued in multi-professional teams.
• Support Children, Adults, and Older People
• Advance Your Career with a Recognised Qualification

  * NMC (or equivalent) registered Nurses can take Module A and Module B to become a Sensory Integration Practitioner and gain a PGCert in Sensory Integration.

Why Practitioner Psychologists Train in Sensory Integration

As a Clinical or Educational Psychologist, you're trained to explore how people think, feel, learn, and behave. But many of the emotional, behavioural, and learning challenges your clients face may be rooted in - or significantly affected by - sensory processing differences.

• Understand the Sensory Roots of Behaviour
• Strengthen Assessment and Formulation
• Bridge Gaps in Complex Presentations
• Enhance Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• Advance Your Skills with an Accredited Qualification

  * HCPC (or equivalent) registered Practitioner Psychologists (including clinical and educational psychologists)  can take Module A and Module B to become a Sensory Integration Practitioner and gain a PGCert in Sensory Integration.

Now Open to More Health Professionals

HCPC (or equivalent) registered professionals:

Modules A-C (PGCert / PGDip)

• Art Therapists
• Drama Therapists
• Music Therapists
• Social Workers (SWE registered or equivalent)

Module A Only

• Teachers (TRA registered) 
• Play Therapists (PTUK or BAPT registered only) 

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.

Module A: Foundations of Sensory Integration - Click Here

(18 weeks)

Module B: Assessment and Therapeutic Intervention in Sensory Integration (PGCert) - Click Here

(20 weeks)

Module C: Advancing Practice in Sensory Integration (PGDip) - Click Here

(22 weeks)

Module D: Research and Innovation in Healthcare Practice - Click Here

(12 weeks)

Module E: Dissertation in Health and Social Care Practice (MSc) - Click Here

(48 weeks)

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.

* 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 is a meaningful commitment of both time and money and that most learners need to plan ahead, secure funding, or spread payments over time. The good news is: you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Funding options (most learners use one of these)

1) Employer Funding
Many learners are funded by employers (NHS services, schools, charities, and private practice). If you’re seeking support, we provide practical templates to help you make a clear business case.

Click Here to Download a Template to Request NHS Funding for Your Sensory Integration Training

Click Here to Download a Template  to Request Funding From Your Employer for SI Training

2) Interest-free Payment Plans (self-funding)
If you’re funding your place personally, interest-free payment plans are available so you can spread costs over manageable monthly instalments.

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

3) Postgraduate Loan Funding (MSc route)
If you plan to complete the full MSc (Modules A–E), you may be eligible to apply for a UK postgraduate loan (subject to your personal eligibility criteria).
Click Here to explore postgraduate funding options

Time Commitment (realistic planning)

Our pathway is designed for working clinicians. Learning is flexible and online, but we recommend setting aside protected time each week to stay confident and consistent.

As a guide, many learners plan for:

• A regular weekly study slot of approximately 5-6 hours (e.g., split over one evening + a half-day at the weekend)

• Extra time around assignment deadlines

• Clinical application and reflection as part of workplace learning

Tip: If you’re applying for employer funding, it can help to discuss study time early; even small amounts of protected time can make a big difference.

Suggested Planning Checklist

To set yourself up for success, we recommend you:

• Identify a consistent weekly study routine
• Confirm your preferred funding route (employer or self-funding)
• Discuss support needs early (e.g. study time, case access, mentoring)
  Apply early to secure your place and start planning.

Need help deciding the best route?
Click Here to book a call and we’ll guide you through eligibility, pathway options, and funding planning.

See our NEW entry requirements  - Click Here.

For course dates and the application form, Click Here.

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.

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 unit* 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.

* Further details about the bridging unit will be available shortly.

SI Module 3 (PGCert) Clinical Reasoning and Practice in Sensory Integration: Intervention - Click Here

(19 weeks)

SI Module 4 (PGDip) Advanced Practice - Click Here

(16 weeks)

SI Module 5 Researching for Practice - Click Here

(12 weeks)

SI Module 6 (MSc)  Dissertation - Click Here

(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).

  
  

What is a PGCert, PGDIP, MSc? Click here to find out more.

Click here to find out about support for Disabled Students and Students with Additional Needs.

Click here to find out about Loans, Scholarships, Grants and Bursaries.

If you require a replacement module certificate, please click here.

A Sensory Integration Practitioner is awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration upon successful completion of Modules A and B (previously 1-3).

An Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner is awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Sensory Integration upon successful completion of Modules A, B and C (previously 1-4).

Please see the Sensory Integration Education Policy Statement Regarding the New ICEASI Standards for Training Programs in Ayres Sensory Integration by clicking here.

Why Accreditation Matters

Put simply, accreditation provides reassurance for you, your clients or patients, and your employers that the course meets the standards of quality and competence stated on your certificate.

When investing in your professional development, it’s essential to consider not just the qualification a course offers, but also whether its quality and credibility have been independently verified by a recognised authority.

While certification typically confirms that a course meets the standards set by a third party, accreditation goes further. An accredited course has undergone formal review and has been officially recognised as delivering the appropriate levels of academic and professional competence for its level of study.

All modules in our Sensory Integration MSc Pathway, leading to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or MSc in Advancing Practice in Sensory Integration, are accredited by Sheffield Hallam University in the UK. Only government-recognised institutions can use the title ‘university’ and award or accredit postgraduate degrees, ensuring your qualification meets rigorous national standards.

Yes, successful completion of these modules earns academic credits, typically between 15 and 40 credits per module. UK university credits are internationally recognised and highly transferable.

• After successfully completing Modules A and B, you will have achieved 80 academic credits and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration from Sheffield Hallam University. You will also receive the professional title of Sensory Integration Practitioner from Sensory Integration Education.

• By completing Modules A, B and C, you will accumulate 120 academic credits and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Sensory Integration from Sheffield Hallam University. This also entitles you to the title Sensory Integration Advanced Practitioner from Sensory Integration Education.

• Following the Postgraduate Diploma, you can progress to complete your MSc in Sensory Integration by undertaking two additional modules at Sheffield Hallam University:

  • SI Module D: Researching for Practice

  • SI Module E: Dissertation

Please see the university eligibility criteria for a 'break in study' click here.

Have you already taken an SI Module course? Find out which one to take next click here.

You will have 12 months of access to the course content from the course start date.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept late bookings.

If you have studied sensory integration before, you may be able to receive recognition of your prior learning from Sheffield Hallam University. 

See further information by clicking here.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Module-Only Study

For example if you have completed module A as ‘single module’ only study and then sign up for a PG Dip your award classification will be based only on the grade achieved in Module B and C.