Yes, you can. All PET courses are fully transferable which means that you can work on them while in prison and also in the community after release.
If your course includes tutor support, this should be available to you online or via telephone. However, it is important to let the course provider know that your address has changed. The provider’s contact details should be in the study material you received and are also available online.
You can also take exams necessary for you to complete a qualification after release. Some course providers are happy to accommodate exams at their own premises. You should contact the provider of your course to find out more about centres where the exam can take place.
Unfortunately, PET does not fund any courses in the community.
You can find more information about alternative funding below in the answer to “What funding is available for further and higher education?”.
If you are unable to find alternative funding, there are lots of free courses available online. For example, Open Culture lists over 1,300 free online course from top universities and Open Learn features over 1000 free courses in 18 subjects from the Open University.
The government might pay for you to take a course that helps you learn new skills or apply for work, depending on your circumstances. Find free courses for jobs here.
If you enjoyed education in prison and want to continue studying in the community, there are a couple of options:
A further education college (sometimes called a sixth-form college) is somewhere you can study Level 3 qualifications such as A-levels and BTEC diplomas. In-person and online college courses are available across all subjects, providing entry routes into a range of careers as well as a pathway to university.
You can find everything you need to know about college courses on the Prospects website.
Higher education courses are usually taught in universities or specialist colleges, like art schools. You can often study flexibly at your own pace by learning online or part time. An undergraduate degree is an academic step up from Level 3 qualifications.
You can find out about the different types of higher education courses and where you can study them on the Skills for Careers website.
You can find out what financial help is available for further education courses on GOV.UK. They also offer information about grants and bursaries for adult learners.
If you’re not sure how to pay for university or how you’ll cope during your studies, UCAS outline the wide range of support available for all sorts of circumstances. Visit the student finance section of their website.
While PET does not fund education after release, there are some possible routes to explore.
The Longford Trust funds scholarships and mentoring for people leaving prison to access Higher Education. The Hardman Directory brings together the support services that can help people plan their life after prison. It includes funding opportunities, training courses, mentoring programmes and practical information to consider when being released.
Many PET alumni have gone on to successful study at university after leaving prison.
The charity Unlock supports and advocates for people with criminal records to be able to move on positively in their lives. Their guide to applying to university sets out the application process and points to consider if you’re applying for a course with a criminal record.
If your question hasn’t been answered or you have a specific query about continuing with a PET course or accessing higher education, complete our contact us form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Alternatively you can write to us at: Prisoners’ Education Trust, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR
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