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.
E-Commerce – How to Build a Successful Online Business
Written by someone with lived experience of prison, and also of running his own successful online business, this course equips you with the knowledge needed to succeed. Whether you’re looking to supplement an income or to sell items around the world, this course is for you. You will cover all aspects of selling products on eBay – one of the world’s largest platforms – and other similar online marketplaces and learn how to manage and grow your own business.
The course covers the following subjects:
- An introduction to e-commerce
- An introduction to reselling
- Products sourcing and selling
- Search engine optimisation and algorithms
- Let’s master eBay!
- Starting your own enterprise
- Accounting basics
- Implications of running your own online business
- Risks in setting up your own business
- Becoming a successful entrepreneur
- Developing your skills and knowledge
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Materials: Paper
Assignments: 8 assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Facilitate tutor support
Tutor Support: Yes
Economics A-Level Part 1
Understand the forces shaping global markets, governments and everyday decisions with this thought-provoking subject. The course explores how individuals, businesses and governments make choices in a world of limited resources. You will examine key topics such as supply and demand, inflation, market structures, international trade and government policy — building a clear understanding of how economic systems function and evolve. This qualification can deepen your theoretical and practical economic knowledge and sharpen your skills in critical thinking, analysis and evaluation.
The course consists of:
- Theme 1: Markets and Market Failure: This theme covers supply and demand, elasticity, consumer and producer behaviour, externalities, public goods, and information problems.
- Theme 2: UK Economy: This theme includes GDP, inflation, unemployment, and macroeconomic policy (fiscal, monetary, and supply-side).
- Theme 3: Business Behaviour & Labour Markets: This theme focuses on costs, revenue, market structures, and wage determination.
- Theme 4: Global Economics: This theme addresses trade, exchange rates, balance of payments, development, and modern trends like deglobalisation.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments
Exams: Two – invigilated, closed book exams (75 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 exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Economics A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
Economics A-Level Part 2
This course is the follow-up to Part 1, and you will continue to understand the forces shaping global markets, governments and everyday decisions with this thought-provoking subject. The course explores how individuals, businesses and governments make choices in a world of limited resources. You will examine key topics such as supply and demand, inflation, market structures, international trade and government policy — building a clear understanding of how economic systems function and evolve. This qualification can deepen your theoretical and practical economic knowledge and sharpen your skills in critical thinking, analysis and evaluation.
The course contains two themes that follow on from Part 1
- Theme 3: Business Behaviour & Labour Markets: This theme focuses on costs, revenue, market structures, and wage determination.
- Theme 4: Global Economics: This theme addresses trade, exchange rates, balance of payments, development, and modern trends like deglobalization.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths, plus Economics Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five 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: From NEC here
Education and Training Award
This course replaces the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTTLS) qualification, and is the first step towards working in post-16 or adult level teaching or training. It is also useful if part of your role is to train others. You will find out how to plan, deliver and assess effective learning, and discover the roles, responsibilities and relationships involved in teaching.
The course consists of four sections:
- Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships
- Assessment in Education and Training
- Inclusive Teaching and Learning
- Planning and preparation
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Four tutor marked assignments
Exams: Yes – the “Microteach Element”. This involves a practical fifteen minute teaching session that will need to be recorded. Due to security issues, this is most often completed by learners upon release. (PET funding does not cover this element).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments, plus microteach element if possible. An additional enrolment form is also required by NEC before the learner can start on the course.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? A course in the subject you wish to teach (e.g. a vocational course like fitness). PET also offer TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) at Level 5.
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Language A-Level Part 1
Understand how the English language shapes our thoughts, identity and society with this qualification. You will focus on spoken and written communication, language diversity and social context. You will investigate how language develops in children, how it reflects identity, and how it varies across regions and platforms. This course can deepen your understanding of linguistic structures and help you develop skills in analysis, interpretation and independent research.
The course consists of the following units:
- Language and the individual
- Textual variations and representations
- Language varieties
- Language diversity
- Methods of language analysis
- Writing skills
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments.
Exams: Two invigilated, closed book exams (90minutes 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 exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? English Language A-Level Part 2
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Language A-Level Part 2
This course is the follow-up to Part 1, and you will continue to understand how the English language shapes our thoughts, identity and society with this qualification. You will focus on spoken and written communication, language diversity and social context. You will investigate how language develops in children, how it reflects identity, and how it varies across regions and platforms. This course can deepen your understanding of linguistic structures and help you develop skills in analysis, interpretation and independent research.
The course contains five lessons that follow on from Part 1:
- Language in action
- Explore and analyse language data independently and develop and reflect upon their own writing expertise. Language Investigation
- Students may choose to pursue an area of individual interest. For example, this might include studies of representations of different individuals, social groups or nationalities
- Original writing
- Students will produce one piece of original writing and one accompanying commentary.
- Methods of language analysis
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English, plus English Language A-Level Part 1
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five written assignments, 2 pieces of coursework and 1 past paper for revision
Exams: Two invigilated, closed book exams (150 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 exams.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? There are range of possible progression options including an Open University Access course, or various other courses such as Creative Writing or Journalism
Find Out More: From NEC here
English Language GCSE
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:
- Read fluently, and with good understanding, a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction as well as other writing such as reviews and journalism.
- Read and evaluate texts critically and make comparisons between texts.
- Summarise and synthesise information or ideas from texts.
- Use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve their own writing.
- Write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately.
- Use grammar correctly and punctuate and spell accurately.
- Acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language.
- Listen to and understand spoken language and use spoken Standard English effectively.
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
English Literature A-Level Part 1
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:
- Love through the ages: The Great Gatsby
- Love through the ages: pre-1900 poetry
- Love through the ages: Othello
- Love through the ages: unseen poetry
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
English Literature A-Level Part 2
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:
- Non-Examination Assessment (coursework)
- Modern Times: Spies
- Modern Times: All My Sons
- Modern Times: Skirrid Hill
- Modern Times: Unseen Prose
- Revision
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
English Literature GCSE
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:
- Section 1: Introductory prose skills
- Section 2: Frankenstein
- Section 3: Introductory poetry skills
- Section 4: Anthology poems – part 1
- Section 5: Introduction to drama
- Section 6: Twelfth Night
- Section 7: Anthology poems – part 2
- Section 8: An Inspector Calls
- Section 9: Unseen poetry
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