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Course Stuff

Learning and revision for the three RSGB Certificates
(All of these are free, unless you want to make a donation)

Hamtrain Foundation Training - Online

Free online training by Essex Ham. One of the best facilities for those starting out in the world on Amateur Radio, weekly lessons at a sensible rate that allow you to learn (or revise) all the key subject matter that will enable you to obtain you Foundation Certificate. As all things it is recommended that this course is taken in conjunction with the RSGB Foundation Licence Manual.

Hamtrain Foundation Online Course


"Gettin Tae Grips" with the UK Foundation Licence - Online

"Gettin tae grips" with the UK Foundation Amateur Radio License - contains study material to help you pass your UK Foundation amateur radio exam.

Foundation Certificate Level Course

Big important note

If you are doing a Foundation Course AND you have booked your Foundation Licence Exam AND can prove this, then you may operate radio equipment UNDER the direct supervision of a licenced operator who holds a Full Licence.



How to book an Exam

You can either book this through a local club, or if you prefer you can book on line  The RSGB has agreed that people will be able to take the various levels via a 'at home' system. 
More details can be found on the RSGB Licence Booking page just make sure you book the correct level. Please be aware you cannot book the next level UNTIL you have taken and passed the preceding level, with the exception of the Foundation Level (as there are no preceding levels)


Practical Training

Since 2021 the practical elements of both the training and exam requirements have been removed by the RSGB. This means you do not have to take and pass a practical exam. This has completely opened the training and exams to those who are not able to attend local clubs, but wish to study at home.

This also applies to the intermediate level as well. 

"Gettin Tae Grips" with the UK Intermediate Licence

An excellent free online course that will help anyone wanting to progress from Foundation to Intermediate level. It is self paced and each module is set to enable a learner to "Gettin Tae Grips" with the subject. There is also a highly supporting Facebook group where there is no such thing as a stupid question, so this is an excellent resource to use as well.

Intermediate Licence Training Course

Bath Based Distance Learning

The well known Bath Based Distance Learning team (BBDL) helped hundreds of students to pass exams under the old syllabus with pass rates consistently above the national average. After reworking their training material, the team are restarting their courses under the current syllabus.

BBDL Training Course

Bath Based Distance Learning

The Bath Based Distance Learning team (BBDL) helped nearly 800 students to pass the Advanced exam under the old syllabus. Between 2011 and 2019 over 28% of the total UK Advanced exam passes were BBDL students and the pass rate was over 80%, compared with a national average of 65%. BBDL have completely rewritten their course material and now the course is the Full course based on the latest sylabus from the RSGB, in their last course of 2021 nearly 90% of students earned a pass, first time!

BBDL Training Course

For self learning the following sites will be of use

The BRATs online Advance Course material

The CARS online Full/Advance course material

The CARC online Advance Course videos


The RSGB has consulted on a potential Direct Entry to Full Licence route, which similar to the old RAE, would enable allow a single exam to full licence.

The RSGB will also retain the existing three levels and associated exams, so this will be an alternative route for those who have the required skill sets.

RSGB Consultation - February 2021