Welcome

The National Diploma in Beekeeping (NDB) exists to meet a need for a beekeeping qualification above the level of the Certificates awarded by the United Kingdom National Beekeeping Associations.

The Diploma is the highest beekeeping qualification recognised in the United Kingdom and its holders are generally well-known figures within beekeeping education.

The NDB Board is entirely independent although its members come from a wide range of beekeeping organisations and it has representatives from all the National Beekeeping Associations.

To support students working towards the higher UK certificates or towards the National Diploma, the NDB Board run a week-long residential Advanced Course and a variety of regular two-day Short Courses. These course provide access to facilities and tuition not normally available and are designed to complement study through practical work and discussion.

Advanced Course, May 2016

The 2016 Advanced Course took place in May and was a great success. The course moved to Pershore Horticultural College, near Evesham, and was a week of immersive and educational beekeeping. Read more. Please check back regularly to find the dates for 2017.

NDB Assessment

Assessments are conducted every other year and involve a number of written, practical, and discussion exercises. The last candidate assessments were in 2015; it is anticipated that 2017 will be the next assessment year. Read more

BeeBase

Beekeepers in the UK are encouraged to visit the National Bee Unit’s BeeBase website to receive the latest advice on bee health and husbandry. Read more