Which grade of membership?

These guidelines indicate the criteria for our membership grades. All applications are considered on an individual basis.

Affiliate

Open to anyone with an interest in the life sciences.

Student Affiliate

Open to all students studying a biology-related subject.

Associate (AMSB)

If you have been awarded a degree containing at least 50% biology in the final two years of study, you are eligible to apply for Associate membership. We recognise this early stage of career development with the award of the post-nominal letters AMSB. Those who can demonstrate equivalence through other education or training can also apply - further details are available here .

Member (MSB)

If you are a graduate in a bioscience subject with at least three years’ postgraduate experience (in postgraduate study or in work), you are eligible to apply for full Membership. Those who can demonstrate equivalence through other education or training can also apply - further details are available here. 

Any applicant who fulfils the requirements for the AMSB grade of membership and has completed 2 years of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), resulting in their being awarded at least 50 credits per year through the Society of Biology CPD scheme are also eligible.

Note: Any years spent undertaking full-time postgraduate study (within the biosciences, including teaching qualifications) can be included as experience towards gaining the Member (MSB) grade. For example 1 year of full time study is equivalent to 1 year of experience, and 2 years of part-time study is the equivalent to 1 year of experience.

Fellowship (FSB)

To apply for Fellowship, you will have made a prominent contribution to the advancement of the biological sciences, and gained no less than five years’ experience in a position of senior responsibility.

This could be in the practice, application or teaching of biological science; managing a team of professionally qualified biological scientists; or concerned with the senior management, direction or commercial activities of organisations in which the application, study, research or advancement of biological science is of major importance.