Prisoners’ Education Trust – Course Prospectus 2026-2027
Download PET's Course Prospectus - our comprehensive guide to the distance learning courses we offer, with information on how to apply and how to prepare to study.
PET offers 120 distance learning courses in every prison in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
We offer courses in a range of sectors – from health and social care to transport and logistics – as well as GCSEs, A-levels and Open University Access modules. Here you’ll find information about every course we offer.
AAT Certificate in Accounting
By gaining this Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) certification, you will demonstrate you have the practical, real-world accounting knowledge sought by employers, not just in the UK but also internationally. The course will provide you with a solid foundation for working in finance by introducing you to a wide range of accountancy principles, techniques and skills, including bookkeeping transactions and controls, and understanding cost recording systems.
Format of course material: Paper-format
Structure of course:
1. Introduction to Bookkeeping
2. Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
3. Principles of Costing
4. The Business Environment
Course provider:
Open Study College (OSC)
1760 Solihull Parkway, Birmingham Business Park B37 7YD
0330 433 2876
www.openstudycollege.com
Accreditation: AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians); Ofqual 603/6338/1
Academic level: Level 2
Study hours: 340
Maximum course duration: This course needs to be completed within 12 months. If an extension is required, prison staff to contact the supplier directly
Entry requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Course provider tutor support: There is supplier tutor support available. Tutors will mark assignments and provide feedback and queries which can be submitted by post or email via prison staff.
Tutors will respond directly to learners but can send responses into prison staff if preferred.
See “Contact provider” section for more details.
Assignments: There are nine assignments to complete and submit.
Assignments are to be submitted one at a time so the student can act on any feedback their tutor may give them.
Assignments will be marked within 10 working days (but often sooner).
Exams: Three exams (3 external exams and one synoptic assessment tests the learners’ understanding of connections between the different topics covered across the qualification).
Computer based exams that must be held at an approved AAT assessments venue under controlled exam conditions.
Exams are available upon demand at most centres apart from the synoptic assessment which is available 2/3 times per month. Each written exam has a 1hr 30 min time limit with the synoptic assessment having a 2 hour time limit.
Exam fees not included in the course cost. You can apply to PET to cover the exam cost by submitting an EEE application form. Speak to your distance learning coordinator for more information.
This can only be taken upon release or ROTL at an external AAT exam centre.
Refer to “Prison support requirements”.
Prison support requirements:
- Support assessment submission (ideally scan to the tutor or post). It is recommended to make copies in case assignments get lost
- Help facilitate exam
- Support arrangement of exams at local centre
- Contact supplier for more info on assignment submission and exam facilitation and exam extension. See contact details are above in the “Course provider” section
Certificate: Yes, students receive a Certificate upon completion
Progression route: Sage Computerised Accounting for Business Level 3. To discuss any progression routes, call our free Advice Line on 0800 048 7520 on Tuesdays (10-12pm and 2-4pm) and Thursdays (10am-12pm and 2-6pm).
ABC Scrum Master
Scrum is another popular framework to manage product development. This is a useful qualification if you are looking for a job in management or IT, but you will learn all aspects of this flexible strategy that challenges assumptions of the traditional approach to product development, and enables teams to better communicate and support each other.
The course covers the following subjects:
- The Manifesto and the Principles
- Empirical Product Development
- Scrum Events
- Scrum Roles
- Scrum Teams
- Scrum Artefacts
- Scrum exercises
- Scrum Tailoring Agile Business Consortium Scrum Master
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None
Exams: One exam
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From CUPE here
Advanced AI for Business Transformation
Building on foundational Artificial Intelligence (AI) knowledge, this course looks into the strategic implementation of AI to revolutionise business operations. You will examine the shift from outdated Silo operations to dynamic and integrated AI operations. Through practical, real-world examples you'll see how AI can enhance customer experience and capture value using robust data management and collection.
Structure of course:
- Data, Decisions, and Disruption
- From Silo operations to AI operations
- The importance of robust data management and collection
- Building business communities
- Strategies for using AI
- Value-first community approach
- Data-driven decisions
- Implementing disruptive AI solutions
Entry requirements: Level 2 English and Foundations of AI: Business and Marketing Level 2.
Format of course materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four
Exams: None
Prison support requirements: Facilitate tutor support via email. This often requires scanning learner assignments and emailing them to their tutor.
Course provider tutor support: Yes
Agile Project Management
Agile PM is a project management method which takes a different approach to the more traditional PRINCE2, and has become more popular in some sectors in recent years due to its flexibility. This course will allow you to learn this practical approach that achieves an ideal balance between the standards, rigour and visibility required for good project management, and the fast-pace, change and empowerment provided by Agile.
The course covers the following subject areas:
- The Fundamentals and the Philosophy
- The Principles
- Preparation
- The Lifecycle and Products
- Team structures
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Communication
- MoSCoW and Timeboxing
- Lifecycle Configuration
- Estimation and Measurement
- Quality and Maintainability
- Planning, Control and Risk
- Tailoring Agile Project Management
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None
Exams: One exam
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: via CUPE here
AI-Powered Marketing
This course will empower you to design and implement AI-driven marketing strategies that are exceptionally effective in today's data-rich world. Moving beyond foundational concepts, you will explore how AI enables precise targeting of customers, personalises customer experiences, and maximises campaign performance. You will learn how to analyse customer data and study practical examples of new marketing workflows.
Structure of course:
- Precision, Personalisation, and Performance
- Targeting and personalisation
- Core avatars
- Data analysis techniques
- Building customer communities
- Leveraging AI tools to develop client relationships
- AI-ops-DNA marketing workflows
- AI voice sales agents
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Foundations of AI: Business and Marketing Level 2.
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support via email. This often requires scanning learner assignments and emailing them to their tutor.
Tutor Support: Yes
Boosting your Business Potential
This course explores the many influences on business success. You will find out how to maximise your marketing, how to improve team performance, and how quality and standards can make or break a business. The perfect next step after our Business Start-up course or if you want to learn how to enhance a business that’s already up and running, this course will provide a solid grounding in theory for you to apply to your business ideas.
The course covers the following subjects:
- Section 1: Understanding the influences on your business
- Section 2: Marketing
- Section 3: Quality and standards
- Section 4: Improving team performance
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English. It is recommended that you complete the Business Start-up Level 2 course first, but it is not an entry requirement.
Format of Materials: Paper
Assignments: Eight assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support
Tutor Support: Yes
Business Start-up
This course helps you to plan, establish and grow the business of your dreams. Part 1 of the course helps you to explore if self-employment is right for you and provides the tools to develop a business plan. Part 2 covers topics vital to the success of your business – including legal and financial issues, marketing and sales, and customer service.
Nine topics spread across two parts:
Part 1- Planning to start your own business
- Topic 1: Is self-employment right for you?
- Topic 2: Developing the business idea
- Topic 3: Market research
- Topic 4: Money matters
- Topic 5: Sources of advice and support
Part 2 – Succeeding with your own business
- Topic 1: Formalising your business
- Topic 2: Finance
- Topic 3: Marketing and selling
- Topic 4: Customer service and quality
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: 9 written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support via email. This often requires scanning learner assignments and email them to their tutor
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A skills based course, depending on the nature of your business (e.g Horticulture, Animal Care), A practical course in management, management or finance, or an IGCSE or AS Level Business Studies
Find Out More: From NEC’s website here
Certificate in Event Planning
This course is an ideal starting point if you want to pursue a career as an event planner, but also if you are preparing to work in a job role which requires you to plan and organise events as part of your responsibilities. The qualification will help you build the skills required to plan, organise and evaluate events. It covers marketing methods, market research, human resources, communication and customer service.
Unit 1: Planning an event.
Unit 2: Reviewing and evaluating an event.
Unit 3: Marketing and market research for event planning.
Unit 4: Planning human resources for events.
Unit 5: Communication and customer service for events.
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support submission of assignments
Tutor support: Yes
Certificate in Principles of Customer Service
This course provides the knowledge needed to work in a range of different environments in a customer service role. You will develop an understanding of the principles and practices of providing an effective service, including customer retention and resolving complaints. You will also discover how customer service delivery affects customer expectations.
The course contains seven units:
1. The customer service environment
2. Principles of Business
3. Resolving customers’ problems and complaints
4. Understanding customers and customer retention
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Any of PET’s other Level 3 Management courses
Find Out More: From NCC directly here
Certificate in Principles of Human Resource Practice
Human Resources (HR) professionals hire, develop and look after employees in a company. If you are interested in HR or are looking to further your HR career with a professional qualification, this course could be for you. It offers a firm foundation in common areas of HR and will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed for working in an HR role.
The course consists of:
- Understanding employment law
- Recruitment
- Employee rights
- Managing performance
- Carrying out learning needs analysis
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Seven written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Any other Level 3 Management course
Find Out More: From NCC directly