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 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.
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Feline Studies
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.
Fisheries Management Certificate
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:
- Water Quality
- Freshwater and Fish Biology
- Fisheries Law
- Fish Culture and Husbandry
- Fisheries Maintenance, Monitoring and Improvements
- Angling and Recreation
- Fisheries Enforcement
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
Foundations of AI: Business and Marketing
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:
- Evolution of AI
- Impact of AI on business
- Core business fundamentals
- Essential marketing principles
- Intelligent connections
- AI tools, applications, and systems
- Key terminology
- Workflows
- Practical applications of AI
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
Fundamentals of Bookkeeping
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:
- Financial services and payment methods
- Prepare and check business documents
- Record transactions in a sub-divided bookkeeping system
- Prepare a trial balance and reconciliations
- Principles of bookkeeping and VAT
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
History A-Level Part 1
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
History A-Level Part 2
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
History IGCSE
This course uncovers the key events that have shaped our world, enabling you to gain a deeper perspective on our present by better understanding the past. From ancient civilisations to modern history, you will examine some of the pivotal moments in history that have defined the world we are living in today. This course will develop key practical skills such as critical thinking, evidence-based research, communication, problem-solving, analytical and independent thinking essential for a range of careers and further study.
The course consists of the following units:
- Section 1: Germany between the wars
- Section 2: Rise of the Nazis
- Section 3: War and downfall
- Section 4: Russia 1905-1917
- Section 5: Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-1924
- Section 6: Dictatorship in the USSR 1924-1953
- Section 7: Soviet life 1924-1953
- Section 8: The changing nature of warfare 1919-1939
- Section 9: War on land, sea and air 1939-1945
- Section 10: New forms of conflict 1945-2011
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine 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 – accessed with prison staff support
What’s Next?There are range of possible progression options including A-Levels or an Open University Access course
Find Out More: From NEC’s website
Horse Knowledge and Care Stage 1
If you’re looking to volunteer or work in stable management or just want to learn for leisure, this course is an ideal introduction to horse care. Covering a wide variety of useful topics, you will discover all the horse care essentials – including equine behaviour, caring for stabled and grass-kept horses, saddlery, shoeing, lameness, watering and feeding, and horse health.
The course contains nine modules, and an options study week:
- Introduction to Equine Anatomy
- Principles of Equine Behaviour
- Care of the Stabled Horse
- Care of the Grass Kept Horse
- Saddlery
- The Foot, Sheoing and Lameness
- Watering and Feeding
- Horse Health
- General Knowledge
- Optional Study Week
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Nine written assignments
Exams: There is an optional exam at the end of the course (funding not included – you will need to re-apply to PET for the exam fees).
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Facilitate and invigilate exam.
Tutor Support: Yes
Find Out More: From the Open College of Equine Studies here
Introduction to Black Studies
This course will introduce you to the contributions, perspectives and experiences of Black people in the UK and around the world. Exploring history, politics and popular culture, you will find out how to apply your learning in the real world to help address racial inequalities. You will also learn study skills along the way, preparing you for higher level study.
Structure of course:
- Unit 1. Why Black Studies?
- Unit 2. What is Blackness?
- Unit 3. Reclaiming African History
- Unit 4. Black is a Country
- Unit 5. Blackness in Britain
- Unit 6. Blackness at the Intersection
- Unit 7. The politics of Blackness
- Unit 8. Re-imagining Blackness
- Unit 9. Overcoming Inequalities
- Unit 10. Lessons from the Saturday School Movement
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Five
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
Introduction to Warehousing and Logistics
Logistics, warehousing and supply chain management are rapidly growing sectors. Logistical skills are essential in retail and commerce, but also in many other fields - from the humanitarian sector to the military. This introductory course – developed in collaboration with the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) – covers the key skills and understanding needed to start a career in warehousing and the broader world of logistics.
The courses has two units that cover the following subjects:
Unit 1: Warehousing
The Warehouse function, layout and flow
Warehousing Core Principles
Inventory Management and Assisting Technology
Fiscal Law
Storage and Materials Handling
Warehouse Processes
The role and functions of mechanical handling equipment
The main cost areas and risks for warehouse operations
The Warehousing Business
Unit 2: Logistics
The Logistics Working Environment
Elements of a Total Cost Model
Aims of Staff Training and Staff Development
Employers and Employees Relating to Health and Safety
ICT Applications used in Logistics Operations
Sustainable Logistics Practice
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Format of Course Materials: Paper-based
Assignments: Twenty short written assignments
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? NEBOSH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety
Find Out More: From the LLA here