There are several online amateur radio courses available in the UK. Here’s a brief look at the ones we know of. If we’ve missed any, please add a note below.
Online Foundation Training Courses
| Foundation Course | More Information | Cost |
| Essex Ham Foundation Online | Our free course usually runs every 2 weeks. We’ve helped train over 6,500 students with a pass rate of over 99%. Foundation material is delivered in an online classroom and uses fully-narrated videos, quizzes, mock tests, handouts and optional live webinars (no webcam required). You can chat online with a tutor and other students on the course. There’s also a fast track for those in a rush. See video below to see how it works. Next course start dates: | Free |
| Amateur Radio Training UK (Ltd Company) | Company providing live video sessions over 8 weeks. | £75 |
| Antrim & District (Club) | Listed on RSGB site as offering online training, but we can’t find a mention of this on their website. | Unknown |
| Chippenham & District (Club) | Live sessions. Six-week course, 1 evening a week (2-hour session). Webcam not needed | Not stated |
| Felixstowe & District (Club) | Live Zoom sessions across 3 Saturdays. | Free |
| “Gettin Tae Grips” (Billy GM6DX) | 58 lessons, including quizzes, mock tests and links to Youtube videos | Free |
| Harwell ARS (Club) | Live zoom sessions over a two-day weekend. | £10 |
| Mid Ulster ARC (Club) | 5 weeks over Zoom. There is a fee, but this is not disclosed on their website. | Not stated |
| Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) | 5 online live Zoom sessions over 2 weeks with quizzes and recap presentations | £5 (Free to under 18s) |
| Radio Society of Harrow (Club) | Live video sessions on weekend mornings, 4 times a year. | Free to members (£20 membership) |
| South Notts (Club) | Course delivered using online chat, phone, Whatsapp and email. | Free to members (£20 membership) |
| Stevenage & District (Club) | Listed on RSGB site as offering online training, but we can’t find a mention of this on their website. | Unknown |
| Wythall (Club) | Online classroom course. 8 weeks with 2 lessons per week. | Free |
| Foundation exams – book direct with RSGB on the following link: RSGB Exam Bookings |
Got a course to add, or any amendments? Contact us
Here’s a short video showing how our Foundation Online course works:
Online Intermediate Training Courses
| Intermediate Course | More Information | Cost |
| Antrim & District (Club) | Listed on RSGB site as offering online training, but we can’t find a mention of this on their website. | Unknown |
| Bath Distance Learning | 4-month online course with a weekly Zoom tutorial | Free |
| “Gettin Tae Grips” (Billy GM6DX) | 89 lessons including quizzes, mock tests and links to Youtube videos | Free |
| Harwell ARS (Club) | Live zoom sessions over a two-day weekend. | £10 |
| Mid Ulster ARC (Club) | 1 course per year over Zoom. There is a fee, but this is not disclosed on their website. | Not stated |
| Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) | Live 6-8 week course on a Wednesday night using Zoom | £5 (Free to under 18s) |
| Radio Society of Harrow (Club) | 8 live video sessions on a weekend afternoon. Site offers free videos, which are handy for self-study. | Free to members (£20 membership) |
| South Notts (Club) | Course delivered using online chat, phone, Whatsapp and email. | Free to members (£20 membership) |
| Stevenage & District (Club) | Listed on RSGB site as offering online training, but we can’t find a mention of this on their website. | Unknown |
| Wythall (Club) | Course runs several times a year and generally lasts between 7 and 9 weeks with 2 lessons per week. | Free |
| Intermediate exams – book direct with RSGB on the following link: RSGB Exam Bookings |
Got a course to add, or any amendments? Contact us
Online Full Training Courses
| Full Course | More Information | Cost |
| Bath Distance Learning | Well-respected course that typically runs for 4 months, with weekly work packages in an online classroom and access to a remote tutor. | Free |
| Bishop Auckland (Club) | Online session using Microsoft Teams on Monday evenings, for club members only. Email Bob G0OCB at [email protected] | Unknown |
| Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) | Fast Track study group running over 8 weeks using Zoom | £5 (Free to under 18s) |
| South Notts (Club) | Course delivered using online chat, phone, Whatsapp and email. | Free to members (£20 membership) |
| Strangford High Frequency Enthusiasts Group | Course delivered over 14 weeks, twice a year. Course uses Zoom, email, and phone. Contact [email protected] for details (no website) | Free |
| Full exams – book direct with RSGB on the following link: RSGB Exam Bookings |
Got a course to add, or any amendments? Contact us
Any experience of any of the above courses? Please add a short review below, to help other students.
Our FREE online courses run at least once a month and last for 3 weeks. Next Start Dates:
Hi my name is Kevin Weston, I am 46 years old and I passed my foundation amature radio licence a number of years ago at Grimsby Amature Radio Society, in the town of Grimsby North East Lincolnshire. My callsign is M7 AER and due to the covid issues I might be looking to take not only my intermediate course online and exam but also maybe my full amature radio course online and also my full amature radio exam online. Please could you advise me of if there is any courses online or otherwise I’ve been in touch with the local Amature radio society in Grimsby North East Lincolnshire where I passed my foundation amature radio exam.
Hi Kevin – See https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/online-amateur-radio-courses/ for a list of online Intermediate and Full courses
BBDL do online courses via Odmodo. They’re really good
Hello, Paul Wills here 64yrs of age.
I hope this short review will help those who are about to start the Foundation Course, either online* or at their Club of choice. Essex Ham suggested by a friend and how lucky was I. They truly are the Bee’s Knee’s.
The whole course lasts a few weeks and don’t be daunted by the amount to digest. Modules each week easily guide you along the path with downloadable video’s to watch at your leisure. This I found to be so helpful. Mock exams dotted along the way, study time takes about 2 hours per module, more if you devote your time. Suggest strongly Foundation for beginners (Alan Betts) and Foundation Revision Questions/Answers (M0TZX) publications.
The exam itself does appear daunting with Testreach and Webex downloaded. Testreach is R.S.G.B.’s devoted direct online connection and once locked in you cannot see anything else on your p.c. until finished. Webex (Or possibly another) is a platform to connect with your invigilator who will guide you through the initial requirements. He/She will contact you well before exam date to run you through guidance. This was seriously worth while, you may think I know it all but please listen and watch.
Exam day.
Contact made with invigilator 15 minutes before exam start, they will ask to see the room you are taking test in by moving around with webcam or laptop as I did. Make sure you have your printed off R.S.G.B. reference data and proof of identification i.e. passport/Driving license etc., A NON Scientific Calculator is allowed plus pen and BLANK paper. They will calm you before you connect to Testreach. Please I emphasise, go through to pre test set up as it will make things a lot easier on the day. Essex Ham familiarise you with the way the exam is laid out. Once finished, result is shown almost instantly and passed to R.S.G.B. who will issue a certificate around 3 to 5 days after. Once received, contact Offcom with the candidate number shown on certificate and then your call sign will be issued. A small tip/hint should you have A three phonetic digit in mind pop it in the box then see if it is available. You will know instantly.
There you go!
Hope this helps.
Paul Wills M7WZE (WillZee)
” Online Exam and study.