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.
Sociology A-Level Part 1
With this qualification, you’ll improve your understanding of human behaviour and interaction and explore issues around race, inequality and religion. You will get the opportunity to develop transferable skills like critical analysis, as well as independent thinking and research.
PET offers A-levels in two parts. Upon completing Part 1, you can choose either to take your AS exam (a qualification marking the first year of a full A-level) or continue on to Part 2 to build up to a full A-level.
The course consists of the following units:
- The Sociology of Education and Schools (School Relationships and Processes, School Sub-cultures)
- Educational Achievement (Class, Gender and Ethnicity and Educational Achievement, Educational Policies)
- Sociological Research Methods (Theory, methods, research, data sources, quantitative and qualitative data)
- The Sociology of Families and Households (Politics, social policy, changing families)
- Childhood Gender and Demographic Change (Gender roles and power, demographic change and the family)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Assignments: Six written assignments. These do not contribute toward the final grade.
Exams: Two, each are 1 hour 30 minutes, and contribute 50% of the overall grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and facilitate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Sociology A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
Sociology A-Level Part 2
With this qualification, you’ll improve your understanding of human behaviour and interaction and explore issues around race, inequality and religion. You will get the opportunity to develop transferable skills like critical analysis, as well as independent thinking and research.
This course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
- Beliefs in Society 1 (Religion, science, and ideology, religion as a force for social stability or change, religious organisations)
- Beliefs in Society 2 (New religious movements, gender feminism and religion, ethnicity, age and class, secularisation)
- Crime and Deviance 1 (Social control, deviance, crime, radical criminology, labelling theory, crime statistics)
- Crime and Deviance 2 (Ethnicity, gender and crime, social class and crime, crime in a global world, the criminal justice system)
- Revision – Theory and Methods
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Sociology A-Level Part 1
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three – each are 2 hours long, and contribute 33.3% of the final grade. (Funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees)
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society.
Find Out More: From NEC here
Understanding Mentoring and Coaching
This nationally-recognised qualification will help you understand what mentoring and coaching involves, and consider how you could take on such a role. The course helps you to explore your own beliefs and values, alongside key mentoring and coaching skills. You will develop your skills in empathy, listening, non-verbal communication and questioning, building trust and giving effective feedback.
The course covers four topics:
- Concepts of Coaching and Mentoring
- Key Skills and Attributes
- Communication Skills
- The Mechanics of Coaching and Mentoring
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: A series of written assignments, then three formal written assessments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From NEC here
Yoga Beginners
This course will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to yoga – including the control of the mind and body through breathing and gentle movement. As well as giving you a theoretical introduction, you will be guided through relevant exercises. You will study warm-up routines, rhythmic breathing, rolls and lifts, eyes and neck exercises, shoulders and finger exercises, and learn about relaxation techniques.
The course has ten lessons:
- What is Yoga?
- Breathing
- Rhythmic Breathing?
- Warm-up Routine
- Rolls and lifts
- Out in the Sun
- Salute to the Sun
- Eyes and Neck
- Shoulders and Fingers
- What is Relaxation?
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Ten written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? HFE Level 3 courses, Nutrition and Health Level 2 (NCC)
Find Out More: From BSY’s website directly