Local Courses

The associations recommends that all beekeepers should take the (very easy) as a recognition of being a committed beekeeper.

We run practical beginners courses each year during May - July at our association apiary at Flitcham.

BBKA Intermediate and Advanced Courses.

The BBKA examination board provides a range of courses and exams to suit different learning styles. Click here for a diagram of the various courses, or here for more details from the BBKA website.

Junior Certificate. Aimed at younger beekeepers, this involves an oral assessment.

Advanced Theory Certificate . Known as "The Modules" this course consists of eight modules each of which can be sat separately.

General Certificate in Bee Husbandry / Advanced Certificate in Bee Husbandry. These courses are practical in nature and involve performing inspections and colony manipulations as well as demonstrating a queen rearing programme. These course is for those who more inclined to practical and less to theoretical qualification

Microscopy Certificate. A short course that shows how to use a microscope in the analysis of pollen and of bee diseases.

Master Beekeeper. Combines the advance theory and advanced husbandry qualifications

Intermediate / Senior Honey Judge. Designed for those who show honey and wish to gain a suitable qualification

BBKA Examination timetables/fees 2006.

Application Forms / further details are available from the Secretary

EXAMINATION	FEE	CLOSING DATE	NOTES
JUNIOR	£2	n/a	Aged under 18 only in small groups. Refund for successful candidates.
BASIC	£10	1 month prior to taking the assessment	May be held at any suitable apiary. Normally small group of candidates examined on same day
MODULES	£17.50 each	10th February 2008	Must hold Basic Certificate, All eight modules held on 15 March 2008
GENERAL CERTIFICATE in BEEKEEPING HUSBANDRY	£35	28th February 2008	Must hold Basic Certificate. Held at Apiary of Candidate
ADVANCED CERTIFICATE in BEEKEEPING HUSBANDRY	£40	28th February 2008	Must hold General Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry. To be held at Stoneleigh on Saturday 21st June 2008
SHOW JUDGE	£30	N/A	Must hold Basic Certificate.See entry requirements in Prospectus
MICROSCOPY	£30	28th February 2008	Must hold Basic Certificate. Arrangements with Examination Board Secretary
CORRESPONDENCE COURSES	£40 each	n/a	Available for the Basic and all eight Modules

Correspondence Courses
Further study for the BBKA examinations can be very satisfying but for some people, attending day or evening classes is not convenient. Correspondence courses are a form of distance learning enabling you to study beekeeping while working at your own pace. An arrangement will be made with a qualified tutor for you to send written answers to set questions that are designed to take you step by step through the syllabus. When you are ready, application to take the appropriate examination is made as above.
For further details contact the Correspondence Course Secretary Chris Utting at 'Codden', Golf Links Road, Westward Ho!, Bideford, North Devon, EX39 1HH. Tel: 01237 474500 or E-mail:chris@seejayyou.demon.co.uk

National Diploma in Beekeeping

The Examination Board for the National Diploma in Beekeeping was set up in 1954, to meet a perceived need for a beekeeping qualification, above the level of the Certificates awarded by the Beekeeping Associations. Normally, the highest certificate of one of the National Associations is a necessary criterion for eligibility to take the examination for the Diploma, which is held in alternate years. The Examination consists of two written papers of three hours each, with a practical Examination, which includes a viva-voce held in June.

Recognising the fact that access to appropriate beekeeping tuition presents difficulties for many aspiring Diploma candidates, the Board holds Advanced Courses of a five day duration, currently held at the National bee Unit, near York. This covers husbandry, laboratory techniques, disease recognition and legislation as appropriate to the production and sale of honey. The visiting speakers are all leaders in their particular field.

Click here for full details