Looking to find a UK online amateur radio training course, or to book an exam? We have a list of online and in-person places to train for your amateur radio licence and to take your exam.
What type of exam are you looking for?
Courses and Exams (7)
Obviously we’re a little biased here! We run the Essex Ham Foundation Online course, which has now had over 11,000 candidates take part. Our free course usually runs every 2 weeks, and we have a pass rate of close to 99%. There are no live sessions and no webcam needed – study at your own pace.
Foundation material is delivered in an online classroom and uses fully-narrated videos, quizzes, mock tests, handouts and slides, as well as optional social webinars. You can chat online with a tutor and other students on the course, and we have Facebook and Discord support groups. There’s also a fast track for those in a rush. Our next course start dates are:
Interested in getting started? Apply here for our free Foundation course
If you’d prefer a different way of studying for Foundation, there are alternatives, including these courses:
- Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) – A 2-week interactive online course with live Zoom lessons – usually running twice a year
- Harwell ARS (Club) – 2-day weekend courses over Zoom
- Stevenage & District (Club) – Zoom course over 4 sessions with each session running for 2 hours.
Other Resources:
- Cornish Radio Amateurs YouTube – Videos covering Foundation course material
- Cambridge & District ARC – Downloadable slides for Foundation
- Chelmsford ARS – Downloadable slides for Foundation.
- RS Harrow – Foundation material on YouTube
- Hilderstone Radio Society’s Foundation Licence Manual for Youngsters (PDF)
You may also want to try our Foundation Study Guide to support your remote studying. This is available from Amazon either in paperback format or Kindle version
Handy links: Back to Courses & Exams | Suggest/correct an entry
Links to help you find a local training group and a venue to sit your Foundation exam locally:
- Amateur Radio Foundation Courses & Exams – A list of the clubs who’ve told us they’re running training
- RSGB Club Finder – RSGB’s list of all of the UK clubs – most don’t offer training, but your local club may be able to point you in the right direction
- HamHub UK Regional – Take a look at the HamHub Forum for your area, and ask for locals to help
- RSGB Regional Teams – Contact your local RSGB rep to see if they can help
We also recommend our Foundation Study Guide to support your studying – Paper version or Kindle Version
Handy links: Back to Courses & Exams | Suggest/correct an entry
If you’re looking to study for your Intermediate licence, here are three well-established online courses that we’re happy to recommend:
- Bath Distance Learning – Respected course with several tutors offering support and tuition. Runs over several months, typically once a year starting in January
- Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) – 6-to-8 week interactive online course with live Zoom lessons – usually running twice a year
- “Gettin Tae Grips” (GM6DX) – This is an on-demand course… sign up and get started
Other Resources:
- Cornish Radio Amateurs YouTube – Videos covering Intermediate course material
- Cambridge & District ARC – Downloadable slides for Intermediate.
- Chelmsford ARS – Downloadable slides for Intermediate. (Not yet updated for Sep-19 syllabus)
- RS Harrow – Intermediate material on YouTube
We also recommend the RSGB intermediate Manual to support your remote studying – This is available as a Paper version or Kindle version
Handy links: Back to Courses & Exams | Suggest/correct an entry
Here’s how to find an in-person Intermediate course, or to find a venue to take your Intermediate exam:
- Amateur Radio Intermediate Courses & Exams – A list of the clubs who’ve told us they’re running training
- RSGB Club Finder – RSGB’s list of all of the UK clubs – most don’t offer training, but your local club may be able to point you in the right direction
- HamHub UK Regional – Take a look at the HamHub Forum for your area, and ask for locals to help
- RSGB Regional Teams – Contact your local RSGB rep to see if they can help
If you don’t have any luck – try an online course.
We also recommend the RSGB intermediate Manual to support your remote studying – This is available as a Paper version or Kindle version
Handy links: Back to Courses & Exams | Suggest/correct an entry
If you’re looking to study for your Full UK amateur radio licence, there are two well-established online courses that we’re happy to recommend:
- Bath Distance Learning – Respected course with several tutors offering support and tuition. Course runs over several months, typically annually August to December
- Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC) – An 8-week interactive online course with live Zoom lessons – usually running twice a year
Also worth considering:
- Cornish Radio Amateurs YouTube – Videos covering Full course material
- Strangford High Frequency Enthusiasts Group – Course delivered over 14 weeks, twice a year. Course uses Zoom, email, and phone. Contact gi0vkp@gmail.com for details (no website)
We also recommend the RSGB Full Manual to support your remote studying.
Handy links: Back to Courses & Exams | Suggest/correct an entry
If you’re looking to study for your Full UK amateur radio licence in person, or take your Full exam at an exam centre, here are some handy links:
- Amateur Radio Full Courses & Exams – A list of the clubs who’ve told us they’re running training
- RSGB Club Finder – RSGB’s list of all of the UK clubs – most don’t offer training, but your local club may be able to point you in the right direction
- HamHub UK Regional – Take a look at the HamHub Forum for your area, and ask for locals to help
- RSGB Regional Teams – Contact your local RSGB rep to see if they can help
If you don’t have any luck – try an online course.
We also recommend the RSGB Full Manual to support your remote studying.
Handy links: Back to Courses & Exams | Suggest/correct an entry
You don’t have to go to a physical location to book your exam – you can take your exam online at home. All you need is a compatible Windows or Mac OS computer, a webcam and a soundcard. Here are the two links you need:
- Find out about taking your exam online
- Book an online exam (RSGB website)
Shortlink to this page: sxham.uk/courses
Run a course and want a free listing? Update us here
Here’s a short video showing how our Foundation Online course works:
Any experience of any of the above courses? Please add a short review below, to help other students.
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.
Hi my name is Derek Watson. I have recently completed my foundation licence with Essex ham. Great service Thanks . Just wondering where the best place to go for help with intermediate exam. Thanks for all your help.
Derek Watson (MM7DJV)
I enrolled on the Essex Ham foundation course a few weeks ago and have just successfully completed the exam.
The course was clear and covered all the aspects required. As a complete novice, whilst it was all somewhat confusing to start with, it all started to make sense quite quickly .
Many thanks
Ade
Are you doing intermediate courses
Sorry, we only offer Foundation