MANCHESTER & CHESHIRE · 2027 INTAKE

Learn beekeeping in Manchester & Cheshire.

A structured new beekeeper training programme for people who want to learn before buying bees — with guided online theory and real, mentored apiary experience.

ONLINE THEORY · COMPLETE 13-WEEK COURSE £85 Open nationally · No practical commitment required
OPTIONAL SUPERVISED PRACTICAL TRAINING £300 extra Only if selected for a limited place

2027 ONLINE THEORY £85 TOTAL

Online theory enrolment opening soon

The complete 13-week online theory course costs £85. Leave your details using the enquiry form and we can contact you with enrolment information when bookings open. No payment is being taken here.

View the £85 online theory course →↓ Download course brochure (PDF)
Explore £85 online theory Ask about practical places ↓

Practical places are limited and offered through selection. Theory is open nationally.

Gloved beekeeper holding a frame covered with honey bees during a colony inspection
LEARNING WITH LIVE COLONIES£85 theory £300 selected practical training
Online theory · £85
Starts 3 January 2027
Optional practical · £300 extra
Limited local practical places

A DIFFERENT WAY TO BEGIN

Learn to care for bees before you own them.

Beekeeping is rewarding, but managing a colony responsibly means knowing much more than how to handle a frame. Healthy bees depend on informed decisions about nutrition, pests, diseases, queen status and seasonal management.

Our beginner beekeeping courses are designed for people committed to learning responsibly, rather than buying bees after a short introductory session. We encourage prospective beekeepers to gain at least a year of supported colony-management experience before taking sole responsibility for their own bees.

We start with understanding; those selected for practice then develop skills under supervision — always with colony welfare first.

THE LEARNING JOURNEY

Two linked courses. One responsible beginning.

The online theory is open to anyone in the UK and can be taken independently. Supervised practical training is a separate, selective pathway for eligible learners.

STAGE 01 · ONLINE THEORY£85

Build your understanding before the season.

Online theory: details and enrolment →

Thirteen live online Sunday lessons start on 3 January 2027 at 6 PM UK time. Each lasts 60–90 minutes; recordings are added to Moodle.

  • Live teaching every Sunday at 6 PM, or watch recordings
  • Thirteen weekly Moodle activities
  • Required knowledge checks and assessments
  • Understanding bee biology, health and seasonal management
  • Preparation for practical work with live colonies

Complete all 13 weekly activities and required checks successfully by 31 March 2027 to earn a downloadable Theory Certificate of Completion. Enrolment closes 31 December 2026.

STAGE 02 · MENTORED PRACTICE£300

Gain confidence through real colony management.

Eligible learners can apply for weekly practical sessions at BeeEducated's selected Manchester and Cheshire training apiaries, with a dedicated trainer and mentor.

  • Weekly supported apiary activities
  • Observe and manage colonies across the season
  • Submit a portfolio of genuine practical evidence for assessment
  • Reflect on decisions and receive mentor feedback
  • Work towards the BeeEducated Award in Practical Beekeeping

Practical training takes place at our own selected apiaries. You must successfully complete theory, apply with a statement of up to 500 words, be offered a place and successfully complete the practical programme and assessed portfolio to achieve the Award.

Theory costs £85. Practical training costs a further £300 if you are selected (£385 for both stages). There is no guarantee of a practical place. The detailed internal practical assessment criteria are available to eligible learners, not published as a standalone assessment route.

LEARN LOCALLY

Practical beekeeping training in Manchester and Cheshire.

The theoretical stage is online. The practical stage takes place in person at selected BeeEducated apiaries only.

BeeEducated began practical teaching in Wilmslow, Cheshire, before establishing further teaching apiaries around Manchester. Today we select suitable apiary locations according to training need, access, safety and the wellbeing of our colonies.

Tell us whether Manchester or Cheshire would be most convenient when you register your interest. Exact training locations, schedules and availability will be confirmed before places are offered.

Our online theory course is open to learners across the UK, whether or not they intend to apply for practical training. Completing theory alone earns the theory certificate when all requirements have been met, not the practical Award.

A beekeeper holding up a frame of capped honey bee brood for inspection
Observation and careful judgement underpin practical beekeeping.

WHY WE TEACH PRACTICALLY

Learn to read the colony, not just follow a checklist.

In supervised sessions, learners build confidence in recognising brood patterns, evaluating colony conditions and deciding what action is appropriate for the bees.

Practical training is offered only to eligible theory learners selected for an available place.

Ask about practical training →

DEVELOPING REAL COMPETENCE

Not just attendance. Meaningful experience.

Our training encourages learners to explain what they observed, what it meant and what action they took. A record of practical activity supports reflection and development with a mentor.

01

Learn

Understand how healthy colonies function and how conditions change throughout the year.

02

Practise

Work with a dedicated trainer, under supervision, at our Manchester or Cheshire apiaries.

03

Reflect

Develop a portfolio of authentic work and use mentor feedback to improve your judgement.

The BeeEducated Award in Practical Beekeeping requires successful practical learning and an assessed portfolio. It is an internal BeeEducated award, not an Ofqual-regulated qualification, and it is distinct from our separate Practical Beekeeper Certification.

PRACTICAL TRAINING EXPECTATIONS

Taking responsibility for living colonies.

Practical training includes colony inspections, record keeping, feeding when necessary, hygiene and biosecurity, equipment cleaning, hive maintenance and other seasonal husbandry. It can be dirty, repetitive and weather-dependent work. Honey production is never guaranteed and colony welfare comes first.

Bee stings can occur even with protective clothing. Learners receive safety instructions and must use the bee suit, boots and specifically approved gloves required by BeeEducated. Do not buy PPE until we have provided the specifications. We will discuss reasonable adjustments and health or accessibility requirements confidentially where relevant.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Questions about learning beekeeping.

Do I need to own bees before starting a beginner beekeeping course?

No. In fact, we encourage you not to buy bees before building enough knowledge and supported practical experience to care for them responsibly.

Can I learn beekeeping online?

You can learn important theory online. Our 13-week theory stage includes calls, activities and assessments, but competence in handling and managing a colony also requires supervised experience with live bees.

Do I have to attend the theory course live?

No. The thirteen Sunday sessions are recorded and uploaded to Moodle. Attendance at 6 PM is optional, but the weekly activities and checks must be completed successfully by 31 March 2027 to earn the Theory Certificate of Completion.

Where does practical beekeeping training take place?

At selected BeeEducated apiaries in Manchester and Cheshire. We choose locations based on the needs of training and the bees, so we will confirm individual venues and schedules with eligible learners.

How much does the 2027 beekeeping programme cost?

The online theory course costs £85. The optional, capacity-limited practical training costs £300 for people offered a place. Total fees are £385 if you take both stages.

Does completing online theory guarantee a place on the practical course?

No. Theory must be completed successfully by 31 March 2027. Eligible learners then submit an application including a statement of up to 500 words. Practical places depend on suitability, capacity and safe participation.

Will I receive a qualification or credential?

Completing all theory activities and checks successfully by 31 March 2027 earns a downloadable Theory Certificate of Completion. The separate BeeEducated Award in Practical Beekeeping requires completion of supervised practical training and a successfully assessed portfolio. It is not an Ofqual-regulated qualification.

When does the 2027 beginner course start?

The first live theory session is Sunday 3 January 2027 at 6 PM UK time. The final live session is 28 March 2027. Theory enrolment closes 31 December 2026; required learning is due by 31 March 2027.

2027 NEW BEEKEEPER PROGRAMME

Register your interest.

Interested in applying for local supervised practical sessions? Tell us about your experience and preferred area. You can also take the £85 online theory course independently from anywhere in the UK.

No commitment or payment now.
Sending the form is an enquiry, not a confirmed place on either course.

We use the details you provide only to respond about this training enquiry. Records are retained for no longer than 24 months unless legal obligations require otherwise. No payment is taken.

How we use your enquiry information

BeeEducated uses your form details to answer your enquiry about the 2027 New Beekeeper Training Programme, assess demand and contact you with relevant programme information. The information is stored within our WordPress website and may be sent to our enquiry email inbox. It is not sold or used for unrelated marketing. Records are deleted within 24 months, unless a longer period is required by law. You can request access, correction or deletion of your information by emailing bees@beeeducated.co.uk. For full rights and information, please refer to the website's privacy policy when available.

Want to know why colony health comes first? Read the BeeEducated story