Take our quick quiz and find out which Royal Society of Biology membership grade is right for you

If you have any questions please see our FAQs or contact membership@rsb.org.uk

Join the RSB community

Start your application to join us via our member's portal, mySociety.

Select the link below to find advice for:

School or college student
Apprentice
Undergraduate student
Postgraduate student
Recent graduate
Full-time employee
Senior biologist
Retired
Job seeker or otherwise unwaged person
General interest biologist

Are you a school or college student aged 14 – 19 interested in biology?

BioNet membership is the most appropriate membership grade for you.

Are you studying for a BSc or integrated masters in a biology-related subject?

Student affiliate membership is the most appropriate membership grade for you. If you have completed the third year of an integrated masters and want to apply for our associate grade, please get in touch with membership@rsb.org.uk

Are you an Apprentice?

We offer a special affiliate rate of £20 for apprentices or a 50% discount on associate grade, if eligible. Please email membership@rsb.org.uk to get this applied.

Are you studying for a postgraduate degree?

PhD students are entitled to become a member at the PhD rate, regardless of what membership grade is most appropriate. Please email membership@rsb.org.uk to get this applied.

For all other postgraduate students, associate (AMRSB) is the most appropriate grade, and you are entitled to a 50% discount if you are studying full time. Please email membership@rsb.org.uk to get this applied.

Have you graduated from a degree in a biology-related subject and have had 0 - 3 years relevant work experience?

Associate (AMRSB) membership is the most appropriate membership grade for you. You are entitled to a 50% discount if you have graduated from an undergraduate degree within the last two years, please email membership@rsb.org.uk to get this applied.

Note: You must have been awarded a degree containing at least 50% biology in the final two years of study. Those who can demonstrate equivalence through other education or training can also apply.

Do you hold a degree in a biology-related subject and have more than 3 years relevant postgraduate experience?

Member (MRSB) membership is the most appropriate membership grade for you. Members who are on a career break, retired, or a member of one of our Member Organisations are entitled to a discount of up to 50%. Please email membership@rsb.org.uk to get this applied.

Those who can demonstrate equivalence education or training can also apply. Applicants that fulfil the requirements for the AMRSB grade of membership and then complete 2 years of our Continuing Professional Development scheme (50 credits per year) can also apply.

Note: Time spent undertaking full-time bioscience related postgraduate study is included as relevant experience towards the MRSB grade of membership.

Have you made a prominent contribution to the advancement of the biological sciences, and gained more than five years’ experience in an influential position?

You may be eligible to apply for Fellowship (FRSB).

Your contribution could be in the practice and application of biological science; teaching biology and curriculum development; 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.

Have a keen interest in the life sciences but don’t work in the life science sector or have any formal life science qualifications?

Affiliate membership is the most appropriate membership grade for you.

Are you retired, or 65+?

All retired members receive 50% off their annual fees. Please email membership@rsb.org.uk to get this applied. You are also eligible for life membership.

Life members are able to take advantage of the benefits of being a member without the requirement to pay future annual subscriptions. As a life member, you will be making a life long contribution to the advancement of the biological sciences for the benefit of all. Please contact us if you would like to become a life member.

Life Fellowship (FRSB) £1,115

Life Membership (MRSB) £795

Current members of the RSB can take advantage of a 10% discount on our life membership fees if they have been a member for 10 or more years, and a 20% discount on our life membership fees if they have been a member for 20 or more years.

Unwaged, unemployed, or on a career break

All unwaged members receive 50% off their fees. Please email membership@rsb.org.uk to get this applied.

Current members wishing to transfer to a higher grade

Providing your subscription is up to date, current members only need to pay a £15 administration fee to apply to transfer their membership to a higher grade. Your new subscription rate will become due on the renewal date following your election. The £15 transfer fee is waived for students wishing to transfer to the associate (AMRSB) grade.

If you are eligible to transfer to a higher membership grade please contact us so that we can process this for you.

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

We take a broad view of biology and encompass those working in all areas of the science of life, from molecules, through whole organisms, to ecosystems; we therefore use the terms biologist, life scientist, bioscientist and biological scientist interchangeably.