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.
Award in Health and Social Care
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:
- Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care
- Human Growth and Development
- Safeguarding and Protection in Health and Social Care
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
Award in Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities
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:
- Understand the context of supporting individuals with learning difficulties
- Principles of self-directed support
- Principles of supporting individuals with a learning disability regarding sexuality and sexual health
- Principles of supporting young people with a learning disability to make the transition into adulthood
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
Boosting your Business Potential
This course explores the many influences on business success. You will find out how to maximise your marketing, how to improve team performance, and how quality and standards can make or break a business. The perfect next step after our Business Start-up course or if you want to learn how to enhance a business that’s already up and running, this course will provide a solid grounding in theory for you to apply to your business ideas.
The course covers the following subjects:
- Section 1: Understanding the influences on your business
- Section 2: Marketing
- Section 3: Quality and standards
- Section 4: Improving team performance
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English. It is recommended that you complete the Business Start-up Level 2 course first, but it is not an entry requirement.
Format of Materials: Paper
Assignments: Eight assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support
Tutor Support: Yes
Business A-Level Part 1
With this course, you can develop your knowledge of how business works - whether you are interested in setting up your own or want to explore a wide variety of industries. Covering key topics like marketing, finance, operations and strategy, this qualification strengthens your analytical and decision-making skills. With case studies examining how digital marketing and global trends shape modern enterprises, it’s ideal preparation for university or for working in business, economics or as an entrepreneur.
This course contains five lessons:
- What is business?
- Managers, leadership and decision making
- Marketing management
- Operational management
- Financial management
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments
Exams: Two invigilated, closed book exams (90 minutes each)
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support via email. This often requires scanning learner assignments and email them to their tutor. Co-ordinate with NEC to arrange and facilitate exam where necessary.
Tutor Support: Yes accessed with prison staff support
What’s Next? Business A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC directly here
Business A-Level Part 2
This course helps to develop your knowledge of how business works, whether you are interested in setting up your own business or want to explore a wide variety of industries. It will also help you to develop sound reasoning and leadership skills, and an analytical approach.
The course contains four lessons that follow on from part 1:
- Human resource management
- Analysing the strategic position of a business
- Choosing strategic direction
- Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
- Managing strategic change
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Business Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four written assignments
Exams: Three invigilated, closed book exams (120 minutes each)
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support via email. This often requires scanning learner assignments and email them to their tutor. Co-ordinate with NEC to arrange and facilitate exam where necessary.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? There are range of possible progression options including an Open University Access course, or various business and management courses.
Find Out More: via NEC here
Business and Law (Y035)
With this module you can develop an understanding of law and business, grow your confidence in academic writing and build your study skills. You will focus on some of the big issues in these important subject areas and the effects they have on our daily lives. By using case studies and considering key debates, you’ll explore the wider themes of resolving differences and working together.
- Block 1 – Business, law and everyday life
- Block 2 – Resolving differences and working together
- Block 3 – Business and law case studies
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments:4 written assignments and a few smaller pieces of work including multiple-choice assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Register and reserve learner on the course before start date (February and October each year) by contacting the OU and Student Finance England/ Wales.
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: On the OU website
Business Skills for the Fitness Professional
Self-employment is a popular route for fitness professionals to take, so getting business basics right is vital. This course is ideal if you are looking to develop the skills and confidence to manage your own marketing, promotions and pricing strategy, as well as keep on top of your National Insurance payments and tax. You will find out about the legal obligations of running a fitness business and how to plan for business success.
The course consists of six modules:
- . Business Plan: Understanding the components and purpose of a business plan.
- Cash Flow Estimation: Estimating cash flow, income, and expenditure over a period of time.
- Business Setup: Setting up a business within the law, recording all monies, and understanding cash inflows and outflows.
- Marketing Research: Researching the health and fitness business idea and creating a marketing plan.
- Financial Forecasting: Understanding how to forecast when a business needs to borrow and how to repay any deficits.
- These components are designed to equip learners with the knowledge and understanding required to market, plan, and deliver a successful personal training service.
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? Another HFE Level 3 course
Find Out More: From HFE here
Business Start-up
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
- Topic 1: Is self-employment right for you?
- Topic 2: Developing the business idea
- Topic 3: Market research
- Topic 4: Money matters
- Topic 5: Sources of advice and support
Part 2 – Succeeding with your own business
- Topic 1: Formalising your business
- Topic 2: Finance
- Topic 3: Marketing and selling
- Topic 4: Customer service and quality
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
Business Studies IGCSE
Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and those looking to deepen their understanding of business operations, marketing and finance, this course provides you with a comprehensive introduction to the world of business. The qualification will help you develop sound reasoning and leadership skills and an analytical approach. You’ll explore a wide variety of applications and industries and learn how to be innovative and agile in a range of contexts.
The IGCSE Business course covers a total of eight sections:
- Business activity
- Influences on business
- People in business
- Business finance
- Marketing
- Business operations
- Small business revision
- Large business revision
Each section is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles, terminology, concepts, and methods of business. The course aims to develop critical thinking and analytical skills essential for success in the business environment.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Eight written assignments
Exams:2 invigilated, closed book exams (90 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
What’s Next? Business A-level Part 1
Find Out More: From NEC here
Canine Science
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.