2024’s top distance learning courses in prison

Home > 2024’s top distance learning courses in prison

29 January 2025

Female civil engineer discusses flood risk management with male colleague

In 2024, Prisoners’ Education Trust supported 1,417 people to study distance learning courses in prison – that’s 188 more than the previous year!

In total we funded 1,540 courses and exams, with applications from 119 prisons across England and Wales. Discover the top 10 choices here.

1. NEBOSH HSE Award in Managing Risks and Risk Assessment – Level 2 (RRC International)

213 learners

For the fourth year running, this introductory health and safety course takes top spot – with 41 more learners starting the course in 2024 compared to 2023.

David, who started the course last summer, told us about the impact it’s had already:

My family are happy and proud I’m using my time in prison constructively. The courses are improving my chances of employment on my release. The Offender Management Unit are giving my D-Cat [the lowest security prison category] as I have taken steps to better myself. My confidence has improved, I have proved to myself I can achieve.

2. NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety – Level 3 (RRC International)

68 learners

This Level 3 qualification – which covers health and safety management systems, managing physical and psychological health in the workplace, as well as fire and electrical safety – moves up a place from 2023.

Jamie, who plans to work in construction after his release, wrote to us about his studies last February:

The courses you fund are invaluable for prisoners’ rehabilitation. Without the qualifications earned through your funding, there would be even more prisoners being released into the community no better than the day they entered prison.

3. IOSH Managing Safely – Level 2 (Clwyd Associates)

50 learners

In this introductory health and safety course, learners find out how to assess and control risks, understand responsibilities, identify hazards, investigate accidents and incidents, and measure performance.

Diane, who is also aiming for a job in the construction industry and currently works with Recycling Lives in prison, told us the course was “easy to follow” and “well presented”. She said:

Thank you for supporting me through this course. I would never be able to fund things like this myself. Hopefully this course will open some doors for me to get employment upon release.

4. CMI in Principles of Management and Leadership – Level 3 (National Extension College)

49 learners

Accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, this course provides learners with the knowledge and skills to improve their managerial ability. It focuses on the way organisations operate, as well as the application of management and leadership approaches.

Barry – whose goal is to enter the warehousing and logistics industry – was funded in June to start the course:

PET has not only helped me plan for my future employment goals, but has given me hope for a brighter positive outcome for when I return back to the community. I only hope other prisoners can realise and unlock their potential.

5. Nutrition to Support Physical Activity – Level 3 (Health and Fitness Education)

47 learners

This course, up two places since 2023, helps learners develop their understanding of healthy eating and key nutritional principles so they can support the goals of their fitness clients in the future.

Rebecca, who plans to work in the beauty and wellbeing sector after prison and started the course in March, described it as an “opportunity to improve my life and circumstances”. She successfully completed our Business Start-up course earlier in the year.

6. Business Start-up – Level 2 (National Extension College)

46 learners

Maintaining sixth position but with nine more learners than the previous year, this course offers learners practical advice and the skills vital for planning, establishing and growing a business. The course explores if self-employment is the right choice and provides the tools needed to develop a full business plan.

Rebecca – who featured above – wrote to us about this course too:

I am writing to you today to give you a BIG, BIG personal thank you for the help, opportunity and funding for my distance learning courses. I love to learn, love to study and love to plan for a positive future and this is exactly what your team has provided me with whilst I am in prison. Thank you so much.

7. Creative Writing Part 1 – Level 2 (National Extension College)

43 learners

This introductory course has climbed two places since 2023, with a 43% increase in the number of learners taking it.

In June, Koestler Award winner Harry – who is keen to write and have his short stories published – explained to us how the course has benefitted him so far:

The NEC course I have completed was excellent and my tutor at NEC was insightful, supportive, experienced and invaluable! I’ve always enjoyed writing but lacked the confidence to make any serious attempt. This course has changed that… I now see writing as hand-in-hand with my illustration work. My mental, emotional and physical health have all improved since starting the course.

8. Drug and Alcohol Counselling – Level 3 (Oxbridge)

42 learners

According to Prison Reform Trust, nearly half (49%) of women and just over one in four men (29%) entering prison report having a drug issue. This course provides learners with the skills to help people struggling with addiction to overcome their problems and lead healthier, happier lives.

Lucy became addicted to drugs at just 12 years old. Now free from substances, she wants to make a difference and help other people follow her path – firstly as a peer mentor with the drug team in prison and, in the future, with a career in substance misuse and recovery.

She wrote to us in April:

I’m so grateful to PET for giving me the opportunity to further educate myself and acquire qualifications that the actual prison itself does not provide. I will continue completing PET courses until my eventual release.

9=. Bookkeeping Certificate – Level 2 (National Extension College)

35 learners

This course – accredited by the International Association of Bookkeepers – ensures learners have the knowledge they need to keep on top of their finances, whether for their own business or to help find work in the field.

Daniel wrote to us about his reasons for studying last January:

I would like to run my own business – a cake and coffee shop and do my own accounts for this… I have thoroughly loved doing the course. A massive thank you from me for helping me to complete this and achieve a qualification.

Daniel went on to successfully complete another of our courses, Boosting Your Business Potential, and we have just received his application for a third course – Preparing to Set up a Digital Business. He is also volunteering as a maths tutor on his wing, as well as making food and cakes for staff and visitors at the prison’s café.

9=. NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety – Level 3 (RRC International)

35 learners

A new entry in the top 10, this course is designed for people who will have fire safety responsibilities at work. It provides the knowledge to carry out an effective fire risk assessment, as well as embed good practice in the workplace.

In October, James wrote to us about his experience of taking our health and safety courses:

I found the NEBOSH HSE Award in Managing Risks and Risk Assessment beneficial as I am a mentor in stonemasonry in prison and I am hoping to work in stonemasonry upon release and maybe teach apprenticeships in a workshop. I have also just received funding for my next PET course, the NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety, which I am looking forward to doing.

What I like about PET is I can work and earn pennies in the daytime and study to further my own goals in my own time. Would recommend PET to anyone!

10. Canine Science – Level 3 (Open Study College)

34 learners

Another new entry in the top 10, on this course learners study the history and evolution of canine animals and the psychology of canine learning, as well as finding out more about canine behaviour and physiology.

Eliza received a distinction for her studies and hopes to work as a canine behaviourist and volunteer in an animal rescue centre after leaving prison. She wrote to us about the course last summer:

It was extremely rewarding completing a distance learning course whilst in custody. Not only because it kept me busy and gave me an additional qualification, but because positive feedback and good grades were a ray of light in a very dark place.

You can read about all the courses we offer in the Prisoners’ Education Trust Course Prospectus 2024-2025.

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Learner names have been changed.

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