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.
Develop your confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English, and gain a vital qualification for your future studies and career. This course covers essential topics such as grammar, vocabulary, textual analysis and creative writing. It will inspire you to think creatively and differently about the complex and intricate language we use every day. This qualification unlocks the power of words and communication, helps you to master the nuances of language, and hones your writing techniques.
Learners will be required to:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine written assignments.
Exams: Two invigilated, closed book exams (105 minutes each) and a Spoken Language Endorsement Non-Examination Assessment
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
What’s Next? There are range of possible progression options including A-Levels, an Open University Access course, or various writing courses
Find Out More: From NEC directly here
Examine how literature captures human experience, creates cultural identity and speaks across time. This course invites you to explore the themes, characters and contexts that shape some of the greatest works ever written in the English language. You will engage with poetry, prose and drama from across the centuries — examining how authors reflect and challenge the values of their time, and how their works continue to resonate today. This qualification can hone your analytical and essay-writing skills and develop your independent thought.
The course consists of the following units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four written assignments.
Exams: None – go straight to Part 2
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? English A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course is the follow-up to Part 1, and continues to examine how literature captures human experience, creates cultural identity and speaks across time. This course invites you to explore the themes, characters and contexts that shape some of the greatest works ever written in the English language. You will engage with poetry, prose and drama from across the centuries —examining how authors reflect and challenge the values of their time, and how their works continue to resonate today. This qualification can hone your analytical and essay-writing skills and develop your independent thought.
The course contains six units that follow on from Part 1:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus English Literature A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: 5 written assignments, coursework and 1 past paper for revision.
Exams: Two invigilated, closed book exams (180 minutes; 150 minutes)
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 exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? There are range of possible progression options including a range of writing courses and an Open University Access course.
Find Out More: From NEC here
With this qualification, you will learn analytical skills to interpret various written works, from classical literature to websites - helping you to master literary techniques and enhance your critical thinking. You will uncover what literature reveals about society and understand a wide range of literature types, including poetry, prose and drama. You’ll study key themes, characters and contexts, fostering a deep appreciation of English literature as you look at the written word in greater depth.
The course consists of the following units:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: 9 written assignments.
Exams: 2 invigilated, closed book exams (120 minutes; 75 minutes)
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 range of possible progression options including A-Levels, an Open University Access course, or various writing courses.
Find Out More: From NEC here
On this course, you can develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of cats. You will learn about the behaviour and anatomy of this popular domestic animal and explore feline nutrition and health care. Not only can the course help you to become a more knowledgeable cat owner, it can give you an advantage when applying for work in catteries or for other animal care roles.
1. Understand the evolution and domestication of the feline.
2. Analyse the basic anatomy of the cat.
3. Examine breeds of cats and common breed specific problems.
4. Examine common feline behaviours.
5. Evaluate the value of correct nutrition.
6. Summarise infectious and non-infectious disease of the cat.
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.
People aspiring to work in the fishing industry – for example as a water bailiff, fisheries inspector, or in a similar position in commercial fisheries – would be well-advised to consider this course. It also provides a sound knowledge base for those interested in running their own fisheries. On this course you’ll find out about water quality, freshwater and fish biology, fisheries law and enforcement, monitoring and improvement, and angling and recreation.
The course consists of seven modules:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: None, but coursework can be sent to tutors for feedback and exam preparation.
Exams: Six open book exams, 1 hour 30 minutes each. Units 1-3 are compulsory, then learners can choose 3 out of 4 of the remaining units (4-7).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of coursework. Organise and invigilate exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From the IFM here
Learn about the opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) with this introductory course which explains how AI is reshaping the business and marketing landscapes. You will explore the evolution of AI and discover how emerging AI tools, applications, and systems can dramatically increase efficiencies, accelerate tasks, and automate processes.
Structure of course:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English.
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Three
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
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to bookkeeping. It covers all the core elements, ensuring you have the knowledge you need to keep on top of your finances – whether for your own business or to help find work in this field. You will learn about financial services and payments, how to prepare and check business documents, recording transactions, balances and reconciliations, and VAT.
Structure of course:
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Level 2 Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Six written assignments
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
This course can give you the tools to analyse the past and understand the present. You will engage critically with significant world events and movements and investigate topics such as revolution and reform, global conflict and ideologies. You will explore how power, belief and identity have evolved over time and across societies. With this qualification, you can deepen your historical knowledge and strengthen your analytical, research and essay-writing skills.
The course consists of the following five units:
1. The Growth of Parliamentary Democracy c.1785 – c.1870
2. Industrialisation, Protest and Trade Unionism c.1785 –
c.1785-c.1870
3. Poverty and Pauperism; The Abolition of the Slave Trade
4. The Unification of Germany 1: 1840 – 1851
5. The Unification of Germany 1: 1852 – 1871
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments
Exams: Two invigilated, closed book exams (135 minutes; 90 minutes)
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 exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A-Level History Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
This course is the follow-up to Part 1, and continues to give you the tools to analyse the past and understand the present. You will engage critically with significant world events and movements and investigate topics such as revolution and reform, global conflict and ideologies. You will explore how power, belief and identity have evolved over time and across societies. With this qualification, you can deepen your historical knowledge and strengthen your analytical, research and essay-writing skills.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
1. Non-Exam Assessment: The Suffragettes and the Great Reform Act
2. Prosperity and Social Change – Germany 1871 – 1990
3. Germany United 1871-1935
4. Germany Divided and Re-united 1945-1990
5. Revision
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus History A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments. These do not contribute towards the final grade.
Exams: Three invigilated, closed book exams (135 minutes; 90 minutes; 135 minutes)
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 exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Open University Access Module Y031 Arts and Languages, or Y032 People, Work and Society
Find Out More: From NEC here
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