We offer courses in a range of sectors – from social care to logistics – as well as GCSEs, A-levels and Open University Access modules. Here you’ll find information about every course we offer.
Do you work in a prison and want to help someone apply? Find out how on our support for prison staff page.
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.
The following courses in the Prospectus are no longer being funded:
Download a course card featuring detailed information by clicking Download PDF on each course entry.
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
Part 2 – Succeeding with your own business
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
This qualification covers the key elements of development and significant events across the human lifespan. You will expand your knowledge of equality, diversity and rights in the sector and how you can work in an inclusive way. You will learn how to safeguard people in your care and discover the signs, symptoms and behaviours that may indicate that someone is at risk. You will also find out the legislation, policies and procedures that can help you take action.
The course has three units:
The level 3 Award is more in-depth and covers a larger amount of information than the Level 2 Certificate. The questions given for the written assignments will be more in-depth as well, and you having to show more understanding in your answers.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Three written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments.
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From the OSC here
This course is ideal if your goal is to support people with a learning disability. This qualification will help you to support young people with a learning disability transition into adulthood. You will also learn the principles of self-directed support and deepen your understanding of issues relating to sexuality and sexual health.
The course consists of 4 units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: A series of written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: You can read about from course provider here
Providing an excellent knowledge base in health and social care, this course is a great starting point if you aspire to work in the sector and want to achieve a nationally recognised qualification. The course covers human growth and development, safeguarding, and equality and diversity in health and social care settings.
The course has three units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Three written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Health and Social Care Level 3 Award
Find Out More: From the OSC here
Whether you are a dog owner or want to work with canine animals in boarding kennels and rescue homes, this course is a great way to build your knowledge. You will learn about the evolution of canines and gain an understanding of canine anatomy and physiology. You will find out about common canine behaviour and how dogs learn. You will also discover how to provide the correct nutrition for dogs of a variety of breeds and ages.
1. History and evolution of the canine
2. Differences between dogs and their wolf ancestors
3. Psychology of canine learning and behaviour
4. Dogs in society
5. Nutrition for dogs of a variety of breeds and age
6. Canine anatomy and physiology
PET entry requirements: Level 2 English
Format of course material: Paper-based
Assignments: Six assignments
Exam: No
Prison support requirements: Support assessment submission and contact supplier for tutor support
Tutor support: Tutors give support by providing feedback and answering queries.
This qualification will introduce you to the use of counselling skills in everyday life and some of the approaches that underpin these skills. You will explore how to engage in a counselling interaction effectively and how to use counselling skills in relation to personal development. You will also build your understanding of areas such as diversity and ethics in counselling. This course does not qualify you to practice as a counsellor, however it may be a useful stepping stone for further study.
The course consists of four units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assessments: Four written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support submission and completion of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s next? Certificate in Understanding Substance Misuse (Level 3); Understanding Mental Health Care QCF (Level 3)
Find out more: On BSY’s website here
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
Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), this course has been especially adapted for PET learners to help you develop your journalistic skills. You will complete units on the English language, news stories, recording information, feature writing and sports reporting.
There are six available units, that combine to create eleven credits:
This course includes several additional unites that can be completed on ROTL or upon release in order to gain the full qualification.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Written Coursework, Portfolio of Evidence, Practical Assignment (e.g. an article in prison newspaper or magazine)
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Ensuring students have access to media sources, such as newspapers and magazines.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level English Language (Part 1), or Open University Access Module YO33: Starting with Arts and Languages
Find Out More: From the NCTJ here
This course aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the key principles of information, advice and guidance. The qualification is designed for individuals who are looking to work in roles such as careers advice, peer mentoring, or housing support. You will cover interaction skills, signposting and referrals, as well as how to manage information and work within existing networks to deliver IAG.
The course consists of the following units:
Entry requirements: Level 2 in English or equivalent
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: A portfolio of evidence
Exams: None
Prison support requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor support: Yes
What’s next: Understanding Coaching and Mentoring Level 3 (NEC
Find out more: From NCC directly here
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
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