Full curriculum
Discover the 250 different courses we offer to people in prison, from beekeeping to book keeping, plumbing to Portuguese, up to degree level.
PET funds 250 different courses, in levels and subjects not usually available in prison.
Courses range from beekeeping to bookkeeping and include GCSEs, A Levels, degree-level study and vocational qualifications.
Discover 2018’s most popular coursesHere you’ll find some of our most popular courses, and a list of what else is on offer.
Certificate in Counselling
This is the Institute’s most popular course, having been successfully completed by people from various backgrounds and levels of ability. The syllabus will be particularly attractive if you are a person who wishes to help others and would like to acquire the skills and expertise to be more effective in that role. The course will provide you with a preliminary understanding of the skills and practice of counselling, as well as an appreciation of the personal qualities associated with the collaborative process of helping.
The course consists of the following units:
1.Introduction to Counselling Theory
2.The Psychodynamic Approach
3.The Behavioural Approach
4.The Person-Centred Approach
5.The Cognitive Approach
6.The Pastoral Approach
7.The Counselling Process
8.Basic Counselling Skills
9.Core Skills of ‘The Skilled Helper’
10.Professional Practice
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: Five, marked by tutor
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support submission of assignments
Tutor Support: Yes
Find out more: From the Institute of Counselling here
Certificate in Foundation Journalism
This NCTJ qualification is the gold standard for journalists, and whilst candidates cannot complete the full qualification in prison, they can complete this especially adapted course for PET learners. Six modules can be completed to help learners develop their journalistic skills.
There are six available units, that combine to create eleven credits:
- How to use the English language
- Using the English language
- How to tell a news story
- Recording information
- Feature writing
- Sports reporting
Additional modules are not possible in closed conditions (e.g. digital media, audio/video) but PET have worked with NCTJ to allow learners to gain accreditation for the rest of the course on ROTL or after release.
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: Coursework, Portfolio of Evidence, Practical Assignment (such as article in prison newspaper or magazine)
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Ensuring students have access to media sources, such as newspapers and magazines is especially helpful too.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Further modules on digital media, broadcasting, data gathering and audio/visual journalism are available after release at extra cost (offering a further 14 credits to convert the Certificate into a Diploma). Learners can also consider A-level English Language or OU Access course or OU Level 1 60 credit course such as DD102 Introducing the Social Sciences.
Find Out More: From the NCTJ here
Certificate in Islamic Banking And Takaful – Products And Services
By studying this course, learners will understand the developments which have taken place with
regard to Islamic financial institutions and systems, and the main source of funds available to banks. The course also focuses on how these sources are rewarded the various products developed by Islamic banks for their customers, the products and services offered under takaful, and issues relating to underwriting,
The course contains 10 chapters:
- Overview of the development of Islamic financial systems and institutions
- Islamic financial system: Islamic capital market, takaful and settlement system
- Financial regulation and market standards
- Deposits and investment accounts
- Islamic banking products and services
- Trade finance and treasury products
- Takaful – an overview
- Takaful products and services
- Takaful underwriting, deficit, surpluses and retakaful
- The financial and operational risks of Islamic financial institutions
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths (or equivalent)
Assignments: None, but the course contains a study guide, exemplars, and practice questions.
Exams: One exam – 40 multiple choice questions (one hour long).
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Any of the other three Islamic Finance courses
Find Out More: You can read about the course provider here
Certificate in Islamic Capital Markets and Instruments
This course focuses on the differences between conventional and Islamic capital markets, the primary and secondary capital markets, and regulation within the Islamic capital market. Students will also learn about the screening processes used in accepting and rejecting shari’ah compliant products.
The course consists of 14 chapters:
1. Overview of global Islamic capital market developments
2. Islamic capital markets and instruments
3. Growth and development of Islamic capital markets
4. Essential Shari’ah principles governing the Islamic capital market (1)
5. Essential Shari’ah principles governing the Islamic capital market (2)
6. Islamic bonds
7. Islamic Sukuks
8. Islamic asset-backed securities
9. Islamic equity screening criteria
10. Islamic mutual funds/unit trusts: an overview
11. Islamic mutual funds /unit trusts: contracts and products
12. Islamic real estate investment trusts
13. Islamic structured products and derivatives
14. Principles and contracts underlying Islamic structured products
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths (or equivalent)
Assignments: None, but the course contains a study guide, exemplars, and practice questions.
Exams: One exam – 40 multiple choice questions (one hour long).
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Any of the other three Islamic Finance courses
Find Out More: You can read about the course provider here
Certificate in Islamic Commercial Law
By studying this course, learners will have gained an introduction to Islamic commercial law as it relates to Islamic finance. Learners will study the sources of the Islamic commercial law, including the Qu'ran and the traditions of the Prophet Mohammad, as well as the methodologies used to solve modern problems in Islamic Finance. Additional chapters focus on Shari'ah compliance and the importance of Shari'ah standards.
The course contains 11 chapters:
1. An introduction to Islamic finance
2. Shari’ah compliance
3. Source of Islamic Commercial Law
4. Methodology of interpretation of Islamic commercial law
5. Formation of contracts
6. Classification of contracts
7. Comparison of classifications of contracts
8. Traditional Islamic contracts and Islamic finance
9. Overview of Islamic banking, Takaful and capital market products
10. Application of Islamic contracts in Islamic finance
11. Implementation of Shari’ah standards, policies and rulings in Islamic finance
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths (or equivalent)
Assignments: None, but the course contains a study guide, exemplars, and practice questions.
Exams: One exam – 40 multiple choice questions (one hour long).
Prison Support Requirements: Organize and invigilate exam
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? Any of the other three Islamic Finance courses
Find Out More: You can read about the course provider here
Certificate in Mentoring (CR400)
This credit rated course provides an overview of selected theories behind mentoring and how it links to processes and skills in practice. It highlights the importance of providing a conducive environment for therapy and professional relationship. It also introduces a concept of self-awareness, importance of personal and professional relationship and critical reflection.
The course consists of 11 lessons:
- Introduction to mentoring
- The benefits of mentoring
- The tasks of mentoring
- The mentoring process
- Setting SMART goals
- The smile process
- Developing mentoring skills
- Kolb’s Learning Cycle
- Mentoring in different types of settings
- Mentoring issues and accountability
- Mentoring practice and self-assessment
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: 4 tutor marked assignments supplemented with suggested background reading
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments. Support in sourcing additional reading.
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s Next? The Certificate in Coaching (CR300). If a learner completes both courses, they combine to be awarded the Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring (UE1000). Learners may also wish to progress on to an OU Access Module, such as Y032 People, Work and Society.
Find Out More: From the Institute of Counselling here
Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP)
A course specifically tailored for PET learners, it provides an introduction to the mortgage advice sector by explaining the rules and regulations that govern the sector.
The course contains three modules, and seven sub-units:
- a) Introduction to Financial Services, Environments and Products
b) UK Financial Services and Regulation - a) Mortgage Law
b) Policy, Practice and Markets
c) Mortgage Applications
d) Mortgage Payment methods and Products
e) Mortgage Careers and Post completion Issues - Assessment of Mortgage Advice and Knowledge
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English and Maths. Prior business / finance qualifications or relevant experience also desirable.
Assignments: None
Exams: Yes – requires a separate funding application, and can only be completed in open conditions / upon release.
Prison Support Requirements: Register the learner at the Pearsons VUE centre for exam
Tutor Support: No
What’s Next? Book-keeping Certificate Level 2 (NEC), Sage QCF Qualifications Levels 1-3, CIMA Accredited courses level 4-5
Find Out More: From FutureTrend here
Certificate in Peer Mentoring
This course, developed by PET and co-written by serving prisoner peer-mentors, will be useful for mentors in all roles, including healthcare, workshops and education. Throughout, there is a focus on developing transferable mentoring skills that will be valuable after release, particularly for those looking to work or volunteer in social care setting, work with young people etc. The course deals with the issues, ideas, concept and theory of mentoring.
The course consists of 9 units:
- Mentoring – so what is it?
- Let’s Talk Communication
- More Personal Baggage Than a Coach Tour
- Listening – Er, What?
- Mentoring – So What’s It Good For?
- ‘Nuff Said! – Boundaries and Confidentiality
- Mentoring – Stages and Barriers, and Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
- Mirror, Mirror – Time for Reflection
- Information
Entry Requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: 8 assessment areas, consisting of 15 tasks
Exams: None
Prison Support Requirements: Support completion and submission of assignments
Tutor Support: None
What’s Next? Understanding Mental Health Care Level 3, or Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care Level 3
Find Out More: The course was featured in a recent issue of Inside Time – read here.
Certificate in Understanding Substance Misuse
This course helps to develop increased understanding of issues and possible responses and interventions around substance misuse.
This course provides the student with knowledge and understanding that can be used by those who either personally, voluntary or professionally have a special interest in this field.
It is comprised of three units:
- Understanding Drug Use: Facts, Effects, Symptoms and Attitudes
- Understanding Responses to Substance Misuse: Legislation, Harm Reduction and Interventions
- Understanding Alcohol and Drug Use in Young People
Entry requirements: Level 2 English
Assignments: Series of tutor-marked assignments
External tutor support: Yes
Prison support requirements: Support learners to send off assignments
What’s next? Understanding Mental Healthcare QCF (Level 3)
CIMA Accredited Sage Certificate (Level 4)
Sage have partnered with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), to create a course which offers a theoretical grounding in computerized accounting. The course provides practical skills required by businesses to perform accounting functions. You will be able to benefit from Sage 50 skills, as well as employer valued CIMA certification.
The course consists of seven units:
- Introduction: How to make full use of the software, back-up, restore and data security
- Transactions from customers and suppliers, including invoice creation
- Cash, bank and budget control and reconciliation
- Management and comparative reporting
- VAT returns, EC sales and Intrastat
- Tailoring reports and layouts including email statements and remittances
- Project (job) costing for detailed individual job / project control
Entry Requirements: Sage level 1-3 Computerized Accounting for Business
Format of course material: CD-ROM and paper-based. To complete the course, however, learners will require IT access.
Assignments: Self-assessed practical tests
Exams: One case study assessment at the end of Unit 3 (2 hours), and a test at the end of Unit 6 on the case study (45 minutes). Summative test (1.5 hours).
Prison Support Requirements: Ensure learner has adequate IT time and access; organise and invigilate exams
Tutor Support: Yes
What’s next? CIMA Acccredited Sage Level 5 Higher Certificate
Find out more: On Sage’s website here