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 your written answers to set questions that are designed to take you through the syllabus.  Students must submit their first piece of work within 3 months and complete the whole course within 12 months.

These courses cover the Basic Certificate (7 question papers) as well as the seven modules (5 question papers each) that form the route to the Intermediate Theory Certificate and then on to the Senior Theory Certificate. 

The fee for each module is £75.00. You may also need to buy or borrow a few books, which may be available in your beekeeping branch or county library.

For further details please email: [email protected]

Basic Correspondence Course 

Please note that you will need to be a member of the BBKA and to have kept bees for at least a year and had some basic practical training in order to be eligible for this course. Members can only study one Correspondence Course at a time. 

This course has been designed to assist new or relatively inexperienced beekeepers in their preparation for the BBKA Basic Assessment and will take about six months to complete. Most beekeepers and tutors prefer to study during the non-active beekeeping months. You are welcome to start at any time but remember the assessment is only held during the active beekeeping season. If a student fails to submit work in the first three months the course fee will be forfeited and the student will be considered as having withdrawn. This is to encourage you to get down to work! You are also expected to complete the course within one year.

What does the course involve?

You will be provided with a series of papers (7), which are not assessments but a structured learning program. In addition you will be allocated a highly experienced and qualified tutor to act as a mentor. They will assess their work and return it with constructive comment and helpful tips. It is almost like having a beekeeping pen friend.

To complete each course you will need to consult the reading list on the BBKA web site and many associations have these in their libraries. Do not rely on just one book but read as widely as you can.

What does it cost?

The fee for each course module is £75.00. You may also need to buy a few books not in your local association library. Normally all correspondence is by email but should you wish to work by mail then you are expected to supply your own paper (A4) and pay the postage both ways. A stamp addressed envelope should be sent with your papers.

Payment for your course can be made via the shop by following this link

Please click here for enrolment form

Module Correspondence Course 

Please note that you will need to be a member of the BBKA and it is recommended that you have kept and managed bees for at least two seasons in order to be eligible for this course.  Members can only study one Correspondence Course at a time. 

The BBKA Modular system of examinations consists of seven modules each tested by a 100 minute on-line or written paper. Full details and syllabi can be found at written exams. The correspondence courses have been designed to help those beekeepers' wishing to study for the BBKA Module Examinations.  

What does each course module involve?

You will be provided with a series of papers which are not assessments but a structured learning program. In addition you will be allocated a highly experienced and qualified tutor to act as a mentor. To complete each course you will need to consult the reading list on the BBKA website and many associations have these in their libraries. Do not rely on just one book but read as widely as you can.

What is your commitment?

To make contact with your tutor once you receive your course papers, explain your intended study timetable and when you intend taking the assessment. To study and complete each course paper at your own pace before submitting them singly to your tutor. Normally your first paper must be submitted within three months, and the course completed within one year. Each paper may take around 2 hours to complete so set aside 3 hours each week depending on your own study methods. If no work has been submitted within three months of the start date it will be assumed you have withdrawn from the course and your fee will be forfeit.  You are also expected to complete the course within one year.

Your tutor’s commitment

To review each of your papers and make constructive comments where appropriate; they may also direct you towards reference sources to aid your studies. They will normally return your papers within 7 to 10 days. 

What does it cost?

The fee for each course module is £75.00. You may also need to buy a few books not in your local association library. Normally all correspondence is by email but should you wish to work by mail then you are expected to supply your own paper (A4) and pay the postage both ways. A stamp addressed envelope should be sent with your papers. You may also wish to buy copies of past papers which are available at our Shop.

Payment for your course can be made via the shop by following this link.

Study groups

Groups are welcome to use the correspondence course and need pay only one fee. To apply the group needs to nominate a person to apply, receive and send papers. It is important that the group submits only one response to each paper as it would be unreasonable to expect a tutor to mark multiple responses.

Please click here for enrolment form

Plants and Pollinators Correspondence Course: This course is currently unavailable (Sept 2023)

Please note that you will need to be a member of the BBKA and it is recommended that you have kept and managed bees for at least two seasons in order to be eligible for this course.

This is the first Correspondence Course that is only available to study via the new BBKA Online Learning Platform. 

This is a Study Unit for the BBKA Plants and Pollinators Module.

There are 7 sections with an assignment for each section. The questions in sections 1 - 6 each address a specific part of the syllabus. Section 7 contains questions from across the whole syllabus, as a practice paper.  Each section includes a list of recommended reading and some useful links to materials you can study for the paper.

Each section has 3 parts:

Part A - a multiple choice quiz about this section of the syllabus. You can use the quiz as many times as you like to practice the questions. In the Module exam there will be 1 mark questions like this.

Part B - 5 questions that are worth up to 15 marks each.

Part C - 2 long answer questions which can score up to 30 marks.

When you have completed the Section B questions and Section C question you should submit your answers via the submission portal at the end of each section. Your tutor will read your answers and respond with feedback within two weeks.

What is your commitment?

To make contact with your tutor once you receive your acceptance letter.  The course must be started within three months and completed within nine months.  If no work has been submitted within three months of the start date it will be assumed you have withdrawn from the course and your fee will be forfeit.  

To celebrate the new Correspondence Course, we are offering it at a reduced price of £50.00 until the 1st November 2023.  Payment for this course can be made via the shop by following this link.

Please click here for enrolment form