Full Licence Course (intensive)

The final rung up the licensing ladder is the Full licence and at Cray Valley RS we are fully prepared to help you with this last step.  As one of the few clubs in the UK that actually provide a Full licence course, we are well experienced in instruction at this level. 

The next full licence course will be in Autumn 2026. This course alternates biennially in the autumn with the Intermediate course.

The Full licence gives you the complete range of privileges and responsibilities, and you will be able to transmit at up to a kilowatt of power. One of the most useful Full licence facilities is the ability to be able to use transmitting equipment abroad using the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications) privileges which lets you operate for a limited period of time in most European and many other countries around the world.

How the Course Works

Phase 1: Guided Self Study

The guided self-study phase kicks off with a Teams meeting on Wednesday 2 September. This first session is an introduction to the course and a maths primer, covering the mathematical techniques you’ll need for the syllabus.

In the weeks that follow, you’ll receive a series of short training videos and worksheets by email, delivered a few days apart. This steady pace is designed to help you absorb the material gradually rather than cramming it all at once.

• Videos — Each video covers a focused section of the RSGB Full Licence syllabus. After many of the videos you’ll be invited to try a short multiple-choice quiz to check your understanding. You’ll see your results immediately.

• Worksheets — Worksheets give you the chance to practise what you’ve learnt with written questions. You complete them at your own pace and submit them when you’re ready. One of the training team will mark your work individually and send you personalised feedback.

• Your personal mentor — When you enrol, you’ll be assigned a personal mentor: an experienced radio amateur from our training team. They’re your first point of contact if you get stuck, want something explained differently, or just need encouragement. You can contact your mentor at any time during the course.

• Weekly Teams tutorials — Live tutorial sessions are held on Teams every Wednesday from the kickoff up to and including 4 November. Each week we review the previous week’s worksheets and knowledge-check quizzes and give you the chance to ask any questions.

There’s nothing to download or log into. Everything you need arrives by email, with direct links to your videos, quizzes, and worksheets.

Phase 2: Classroom teaching

The course concludes with three intensive all-day teaching sessions at the clubhouse on Saturday 7 November, Saturday 14 November and Saturday 21 November. Because you’ll have already worked through the core material during the self-study phase, these classroom days can focus on deepening your understanding, tackling the most challenging topics, and exam preparation — rather than introducing the syllabus from scratch.

Maths primer and revision

The course also includes:

• A maths primer covering the mathematical techniques you’ll need, delivered as part of the kickoff Teams meeting on 2 September

• An all-day Intermediate revision session before the first classroom day, to make sure the building blocks are solid

The exam

The exam takes place on Saturday 28 November at the clubhouse, one week after the final teaching day.

What you’ll need

• The RSGB “Full Licence Manual” — the official textbook for the course

• “Exam Secrets” — the RSGB companion book with exam technique and practice questions

Both are available from the RSGB shop

Commitment

The Full Licence syllabus is substantial, and this course requires real commitment. You should expect to spend time each week working through the videos and worksheets during the self-study phase, and you must attend every classroom session. The blended format is designed to spread the workload and support you along the way, but there are no shortcuts — dedication and consistent effort are what get you through.

Accessibility

We welcome disabled candidates and our facilities are fully accessible. Please let us know if you have any specific requirements when you apply.

Course fee:

• £95 (this includes the RSGB exam registration fee of £39)

Apply

If you’re interested in taking the Full Licence course, please use the contact form or get in touch with any club member. We’d be happy to answer your questions.