Advanced NDB Course 2026

Applications are now invited from students interested in attending the 2026 Advanced NDB Course.

Please note that submitting an application here is not a guarantee of acceptance onto the course - successful applicants will be notified in due course. The dates of the course may be subject to change. You should not book travel or make any other arrangements until you have been contacted to confirm your place.

Course objectives

The National Diploma in Beekeeping (NDB) Board holds an annual Advanced Course of a five day duration, recognising that access to appropriately advanced beekeeping tuition presents difficulties for many aspiring NDB candidates. The course provides the opportunity to bridge the gap between the Advanced Certificate or Master Beekeeper awards and the requirements for the NDB Examination. The lecturers are all leading figures in their particular aspect of apiculture and associated fields.

The course covers topics such as husbandry, botany, teaching, laboratory techniques, disease recognition and legislation pertaining to beekeeping. The course is a mix of theory and practical classes, both in the laboratory and in the apiary.

The Advanced NDB Course has now been organised into a three-year rolling programme. Each year repeats common themes and some specific themes. There is no obligation for students to attend all iterations of the Advanced NDB Course. Detailed programme will be available to the participants a month before the event.

2026: Botany, Pollen & Nutrition, Teaching for beekeepers

2027: Queen Raising, Colony Handling & Presentation, Reading Bees

2028: Brood disease, Adult Diseases, Dissection, Swarm Control

Venue

The course is held at Pershore Horticultural College, part of the Warwickshire College Group. The 60 Hectare site includes modern laboratories and classrooms, along with on-site apiaries and student accommodation.

Students and tutors are accommodated onsite at Pershore. The course runs from Friday evening through to Wednesday afternoon - five days immersed in advanced beekeeping techniques. The company of some excellent beekeepers is certain to invigorate your beekeeping and enhance your skills.

Each year, students report how enjoyable, and fun it is to be part of a learning environment with a similarly minded group of peers. Each year camaraderie and friendships are built, in addition to the learning opportunities provided.

Cost

For 2026 the course fee will be £980. This includes accommodation, all meals, refreshments, laboratory/apiary consumables, and represents excellent value. The NDB operates a discretionary bursary scheme for those students to whom cost may be a barrier. Please contact the NDB secretary to discuss this in confidence.

No payment should be made until you have been offered a place on the course.

Entry requirements

Please note that this course is not suitable for beginners, or for those with limited experience of beekeeping. International students are welcome to apply, providing details of beekeeping experience as part of the application.

Priority is given to those applicants wishing to undertake the NDB examination, but anyone who is likely to benefit from training at the highest level may be accepted on to the course. Due to the demand for places, applicants are advised that they will be considered upon their beekeeping merit; generally it is advisable to have achieved the BBKA General Husbandry and some of the BBKA Modules prior to application.

Succsessful candidates will be informed of their place on the courese at the beginning of March 2026.

Administration

All applications should be made by clicking the 'register' button above and completing the form.

Cancellation policy

The NDB reserves the right to reschedule or cancel the course. Should this be necessary then you will be given the option of a refund or a transfer to another course/date. We will give as much notice as possible, but regret that we cannot be responsible for any other costs such as those relating to travel or accommodation that might result from this.

Students who have booked on courses may cancel and receive a full refund if notice of cancellation is received at least four weeks before the course start date. If notice of cancellation is received less than four weeks before the course start date, refunds will only be issued if the cancelled place(s) can be re-sold.

A course application indicates an acceptance of this cancellation policy.

The attached images show students at some of the previous courses