Courses and Exams

Next exam dates:

Our current round of examinations have finished and we are planning on new Foundation and Intermediate courses in early 2013. In addition, if you wish to take an Advanced test, please get in touch with the Committee.

Discussion about dates for courses and exams is ongoing on the Facebook group and is open to all.

What courses can I take? 

In the UK, the amateur radio licensing scheme is split into three main parts, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced.You can operate a fully-functional radio station after the first.

We offer all three courses, and will put them on for any level of demand.

Due to Ofcom regulations, you need to proceed through the license levels in order. If you do not have an amateur radio license yet, you will need to take the Foundation before anything else.

Foundation License

The Foundation License offers an insight into amateur radio, allowing licensees to operate on most bands from medium-wave up to microwave with up to 10 watts of power.

Intermediate License

The Intermediate License gives a more in-depth understanding of radio theory and grants the user with higher output power (50W), and a wider selection of operating bands. Licensees must complete the Foundation level before taking this level. At this point, licensees can build their own equipment and undertake more specialised applications, such as moonbounce, and super-high frequency work.

Advanced License

The Advanced License brings the theory to a fuller understanding, and much higher (400W) output power allowances. Candidates must have completed the first two stages before completing this stage.

Who can take the courses?

Our courses are open to those eligible to join the society. While you do not need to be a society member, you do need to be eligible.

You will also need to have a valid form of photo ID, such as a driver's license or valid passport, to get your license, which is a requirement of Ofcom.

What are the prices?

Although we want to make prices as low as possible, the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) mandates a processing fee for each exam undertaken. Our courses are offered at this rate, and no higher, for students, which is by far the cheapest in Northern Ireland.

Students of the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science can also avail of a 50% subsidy for all exams.

Foundation Amateur Radio Examination

-          QUB EEECS Student                                         £13.00

-          QUB Student                                                      £28.00

-          QUB Staff                                                          £30.00

-          Other Student                                                    £30.00

Intermediate Amateur Radio Examination

-          QUB EEECS Student                                          £16.00

-          QUB Student                                                      £33.00

-          QUB Staff                                                          £35.00

-          Other Student                                                    £35.00

Advanced Amateur Radio Examination

-          QUB EEECS Student                                          £20.00

-          QUB Student                                                      £38.00

-          QUB Staff                                                          £40.00

-          Other Student                                                    £40.00

RSGB Certificates & Replacement Documents

-          Certificate of achievement                                   £10.00

-          Replacement result sheet                                    £5.00

How do I sign up?

To register your interest in the courses, please enter your details on our registration page. Courses will be run largely on-demand, and will be well-advertised through the Engineering, Physics, Mathematics and other courses in advance.