Supporting the advancement of skills and education in the life sciences

The Society of Biology is a single unified voice for biology, and the leading professional body representing all areas of the biosciences on behalf of more than 13,000 members. We advise government, influence policy, and work to advance biology education while engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences.

We are committed to supporting and encouraging high standards of research and innovation in the life sciences - throughout university, to graduation and beyond, through our Degree Accreditation Programme, Professional Registers, and membership.

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Degree accreditation
Professional registers and CPD
Join the Society of Biology

Degree accreditation

The Degree Accreditation Programme has been designed to address the skills gap between academic study and employment in the biosciences. Degrees accredited by the Society of Biology develop research-ready graduates by providing students with opportunities to gain practical research experience, typically lasting six months to a year, and have been shown to cover key areas of knowledge and meet defined learning outcomes. This means that graduates from accredited degrees are immediately focussed on the research when entering employment.

Degree accreditation provides employers with assurances of the skills and experiences attained by graduates, and will establish a skills profile for graduates with practical experience.

Find out how the Degree Accreditation Programme can help you to recruit the life science leaders of the future.

Professional registers and CPD

Through a pilot licence offered by the Science Council, the Society of Biology is now able to offer three new professional registers: Registered Science Technician (RSciTech), Registered Scientist (RSci) and Chartered Scientist (CSci), to members in addition to our Chartered Biologist (CBiol) status. All those who are committed to the biological sciences in academia, industry, education and research are eligible to join their appropriate register. All these registers can be applied for by visiting mySociety.

Continuing Professional Development, or CPD, is an important area of most career paths, offering a mechanism by which you can document your work above and beyond your job role, aiding upwards progression. At the Society we promote the importance of CPD to all our members, and provide a simple, modern mechanism for maintaining your progress throughout the year.

Join the Society of Biology

Our members pro-actively support the future of UK biology, and have access to a range of valuable membership benefits, including:

• training courses
• a free subscription to The Biologist, our award-winning bi-monthly magazine which brings the full richness and diversity of biology to life
• regular e-bulletins, designed to keep you up to date with developments in science policy, biology education and the Society’s work at international, national and regional levels
• and boost your professional recognition by using our post-nominal letters, achieving our professional recognition awards or following our credits-based CPD programme

If you would like to support our work by becoming a member of the leading professional body for the biological sciences, we offer several membership categories to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get involved in our work.

Further information on our grades of membership is available on our website.