Generally if you find your local british beekeepers association group. They will run courses. Usually they start in the winter with the theory and then should allow hands on at the start of the season.
Some courses run a system where the student gets a loan hive to run for the first year, if they love it they can buy it and keep going, or they can give it back at the end of the season if its not for them.
Different groups run in differing ways.
There are some 'independents' that run courses from their apiaries.
I started mid season and my association at the time put me in contact with a mentor and I helped him until the course started in the winter. As I work shifts I was unable to attend every session, but they allowed me to catch up when I was unable to attend one week.
Check around some are better than others.