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.
Science, Technology and Maths Access Module (Y033)
Grow your knowledge in a range of technical subjects – including science, engineering and design, computing and IT, the environment and mathematics. As the foundation for further studies in these fields, this module will help build your confidence and prepare you for more OU study. It’s ideal if you’re exploring an interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
There are three main blocks:
- Life (Biology and ecological ideas)
- Water (Scientific experiments to understand how water shaped our planet)
- Home (Design, engineering, and computing)
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths.
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four written assignments plus a few smaller assessed pieces of work
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Register and reserve learner on the course before the start date (February, May, and October each year)
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s next? Full Undergraduate Degree (funded via a student loan)
Find out more: from the OU directly here
Sociology A-Level Part 1
This qualification focuses on the issues that shape our society – like identity, inequality, power, education, crime and culture. You’ll explore how social groups interact and how family, media and education impact opportunities, behaviour and beliefs. This course builds valuable skills in critical thinking, analysis and argument construction — important in everyday life and widely valued if you want to work in sectors like education, social work, journalism, criminology or public policy.
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
Assignments: Five written assignments.
Exams: Three invigilated, closed book exams (60 minutes each)
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
This course is the follow-up to Part 1, and will continue to focus on the issues that shape our society – like identity, inequality, power, education, crime and culture. You’ll explore how social groups interact and how family, media and education impact opportunities, behaviour and beliefs. This course builds valuable skills in critical thinking, analysis and argument construction — important in everyday life and widely valued if you want to work in sectors like education, social work, journalism, criminology or public policy.
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, plus Sociology A-Level Part 1
Assignments: Five written assignments.
Exams: Three – each are 2 hours long.
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Organize and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A range of possible progression options, including Open University Access Module Y032 People, Work and Society.
Find Out More: From NEC here
Sociology GCSE
This course will deepen your understanding of key social issues as you investigate the structures and processes that shape society and human interactions. You will delve into the study of social behaviour and institutions – from examining family dynamics to exploring social inequality. You will also explore gender roles, social structures and cultural norms. With this qualification, you can develop the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to examine the world around you.
Structure of course:
- The sociological approach
- Social structures, social processes and social issues
- Families
- Education
- Crime and deviance
- Social stratification
- Sociological research methods
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine written assignments
Exams: Two invigilated closed book exams (105 minutes each)
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support via email. This often requires scanning learner assignments and email them to their tutor.
Tutor Support: Yes – accessed with prison staff support
Sports Coaching
Focusing on the role of the sports coach, this theory-based course will teach learners about anatomy and physiology for sports coaching, coaching methods and models, ethics within sports coaching and how to understand the athlete’s mind. The course covers many different sports and the knowledge gained can improve your coaching ability in all of them.
Structure of course:
- Unit 1 – What Is Sports Coaching?
- Unit 2 – Essential Anatomy and Physiology for Coaching
- Unit 3 – Coaching Methods and Models
- Unit 4 – Coaching for Special Populations
- Unit 5 – Understanding the Athlete
- Unit 6 – Ethics and Sports Coaching
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six
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
Understanding Environmental Sustainability
The purpose of the qualification is to develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relating to environmental sustainability including control of global warming, reducing carbon emissions, alternative energy sources, conservation, environmental monitoring and energy management. The qualification forms part of a wide-ranging strategy of sustainability improvement.
Structure of course:
- Unit 1: Principles of sustainable development
- Unit 2: Principles of sustainable communities
- Unit 3: Principles of sustainable energy management
- Unit 4: Social responsibility of businesses in relation to sustainability
- Unit 5: Principles of waste management
- Unit 6: Principles of sustainable transport
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six
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
Understanding Mentoring and Coaching
This course introduces key principles, skills and approaches used to support people in educational, care or professional settings. You’ll explore the differences between mentoring and coaching and learn how to build trust. You will also find out how to structure effective sessions and reflect on your own style. This qualification is ideal if you want to help people grow, develop and achieve their potential – whether as a mentor, educator or team leader.
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
Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment
This course is an ideal stepping stone if you are looking to work in education, training or workplace assessment. Exploring assessment principles and practices, the qualification is recognised across all industries and equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct fair, effective and consistent assessments. The course will cover essential topics such as planning your assessment, involving the learner in the process, and understanding quality assurance frameworks.
Structure of course:
- Unit 1: Understand the principles and requirements of assessment
- Unit 2: Understand how to plan assessment / understand how to involve learners and others in assessment
- Unit 3: Understand how to manage information relating to assessment
- Unit 4: Understand the legal and good practice requirements in relation to assessment / understand quality assurance of the assessment process
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: One
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
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