Courses

PET offers over 130 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. Take a look at our prospectus and you’ll find information about every course we offer.

Distance learning with PET is different to traditional classroom-based learning.

You can start most of our courses at any time of the year. All of your course materials will be sent to you by post via the education department in your prison. You study on your own, not in a classroom with other people. This means that you can choose when you study and that you are in control of your progress.
Many of our courses include tutor support by post or phone to help you progress through your course and finish it. Most PET courses lead to a qualification, and in order to test your understanding you will need to complete assessments along the way. These might include written assignments or exams. You will need to check with prison staff that they are able to help you send assessments to your course tutor and able to organise exams if you need to sit one in order to gain your qualification.

Remember, if you have any questions about your courses, you can always call our free telephone adviceline.

While distance learning can be life-changing, it can also be challenging. To be a successful distance learner you need to be motivated, well organised, self-disciplined, able to work independently, and most of all passionate about the course you choose.