FAQs
What is the benefit of being a Member?
Unlock the Future with Marine Biological Association Membership.
Are you passionate about the wonders of the Ocean and eager to be at the forefront of cutting edge research and discoveries? Joining the MBA opens the door to a world of exclusive benefits designed to fuel your curiosity, connect you with like-minded enthusiasts, and elevate your own knowledge and appreciation for the world of Marine Biology.
🪸 Member - only Access: Gain privileged entry to a treasure trove of resources, including exclusive articles, research and educational content. Stay ahead of the curve with early access through our The Marine Biologist magazine with its full back catalogue, online resource archive and Members only access to one of the largest marine reference libraries in the world.
🐚 Networking opportunities: Forge invaluable connections with fellow Members in over 50 countries, scientists and industry leaders. Attend events, webinars, talks and conferences to engage in stimulating discussions, share ideas and build a network. We have a vibrant community that celebrates their passion for the marine world and joining our online Community group allows Members to collaborate, share and engage with each other.
📚 Educational resources: Deepen your understanding of marine science through our curated collection within the National Marine Biological Library with 16,000 books in our vast collection. We have a continuously building online resource archive filled with events, webinars, talks, recordings, articles and more. With generous Member discounts to expert-led courses, the MBA is your gateway to continuous learning and intellectual growth.
🔍 Career development: Access exclusive career resources, mentorship, and job opportunities within the Marine sector. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an aspiring scientist, the MBA is commited to supporting your professional journey.
🌍 Join us in shaping the future: By becoming a Member of the MBA you are not just gaining access to benefits; you are becoming a catalyst for scientifc advancement.
Join us on this journey as we work as a voice for our Ocean, and to fulfil our responsibility to future generations.
How do I become a Member of the MBA?
To become a Member of the MBA please visit our Membership page where you can find details of Membership benefits and categories available
What category is suitable for me?
A summary of our Membership categories is shown below but you can also browse the options shown on our joining page here. Click through the Membership categories to see which is most suitable.
If you are unsure about which category is most suitable, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Membership Team or telephone 0044 (0)1752 426331
Young Marine Biologist
| Category | Suitable for |
| Young Marine Biologist | Anyone under the age of 18. No minimum age but aimed at 12-18 yrs. |
| Benefits |
Benefits include:
You can buy a Young Marine Biologist membership as a gift for a young person or for yourself for just £20 a year. •
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Associate Membership
| Category | Suitable for |
| Associate |
Anyone with a passion and interest in marine biology, friend of the Association, non-practising within the discipline. |
| Benefits |
This membership category is for those who are interested in marine biology and conservation, but who are not working within the field of marine biology, or currently studying marine biology or a related course. We are thrilled to that you wish to continue to be a voice in the marine biology community! Associate members recieve the following member benefits:
You can receive all these benefits for just £45 per year. Monthly payments are available. Under 18? Become a Young Marine Biologist
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Young Associate
| Category | Suitable for |
| Young Associate |
Anyone aged 18-25 with a passion and interest in marine biology, friend of the Association, non-practising within the discipline and not continuing to university studies in Marine Biology. |
| Benefits |
This membership category is for those who are interested in marine biology and conservation, but who are not working within the field of marine biology, or currently studying marine biology or a related course. We are thrilled to that you wish to continue to be a voice in the marine biology community! Associate members recieve the following member benefits:
You can receive all these benefits for just £45 per year. Monthly payments are available. Under 18? Become a Young Marine Biologist
|
Student
| Category | Suitable for |
| Student |
Our student member category is available to all undergraduate students studying marine biology and related subjects. |
| Benefits |
This membership category is for undergraduates studying marine biology or a related subject and registered in University education. If you are a postgraduate student, you can access the Professional Postgraduate membership category. We are thrilled to that you wish to continue to be a voice in the marine biology community! Student members receive the following member benefits:
You can receive all these benefits for just £25 per year. Monthly payments are available. Please note Students joining as Members will need to upload- Digital copy of evidence showing Student name, Study level, course subject and expected graduation date or academic entry year e.g. Letter or email of Acceptance from university.
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Professional Postgraduate (Mem.MBA)
| Category | Suitable for |
| Professional Post Graduate (Mem.MBA) |
Master or Postdoctoral student. Discounted price whilst studying. |
| Benefits |
This membership category is for postgraduate marine students and those in related fields of study, for up to three years while undertaking postgraduate studies, We are thrilled to that you wish to continue to be a voice in the marine biology community! Professional members receive the following member benefits:
You can receive all these benefits for just £25 per year. Monthly payments are available.
Please note that Postgraduate Members joining will need to upload a digital copy of evidence showing Student name, Study level, course subject and expected graduation date or academic entry year e.g. Letter or email of Acceptance from university.
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Professional
| Category | Suitable for |
| Professional (Mem.MBA) |
Marine biologist holding a BSc, MSc, MRes or PhD diploma – or who has gained experience in the field through alternative route. |
| Benefits |
Professional membership is £55 a year, with monthly payment options available. We are thrilled to that you wish to continue to be a voice in the marine biology community! Professional members receive the following member benefits:
Please note that Professional Members applying will need to upload evidence of their status such as a formal degree certificate showing University, student name, study level, graduation date, CV/resume or written statement.
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Fellow
| Category | Suitable for |
| Fellow (FMBA) |
MBA Fellows are senior practitioners in marine biology who have contributed to the discipline at the highest level. There is a special application process. |
| Benefits |
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
You can receive all these benefits for just £130 per year. Monthly payments are available.
|
Can I become a Member if I don't live in the UK?
Of course! We have a global community of Marine professionals, enthusiasts and Young Marine Biologists from over 50 countries currently and always welcome new Members from around the world.
Do I pay more if I am located outside the United Kingdom?
No. We have members in over 50 countries, and you will not be charged differently if you are outside the UK! You will receive exactly the same privileges as a UK member – with only the postage delivery time for your welcome pack and quarterly magazine expected to take a little longer.
What is a Post Nominal?
Post nominals are letters of distinction after a person's name to indicate their positions, qualifications or memberships.
The Marine Biological Association’s Royal Charter establishes the Association as the representative body for the discipline of marine biology. The Charter allows us, as a professional body, to award our Professional members with the exclusive post nominal Mem.MBA and those admitted as Fellows are entitled to bear the post nominal FMBA. These post nominals are now widely recognised, and demonstrate your professional credibility.
How do I change Membership category?
I am about to turn 18 can I still be a Young Marine Biologist?
Our YMB category is only open to those under 18 to ensure safeguarding for our younger members. However, when you are approaching your 18th birthday as a Young Marine Biologist you will be invited to upgrade to Student Membership if you are going into a Marine or related university course, placement or field. If you are not going onto study in a marine field then you can switch to our Associate category.
If you have any queries on Membership grades please contact the Membership team directly.
I am a student Member
Student Members are automatically invited to submit a grade-change form when approaching your graduation and membership renewal date. This is linked to your graduation date provided in the initial joining process.
Don't worry if your expected graduation date has been changed, please do let us know at Membership and we can reflect this on your record.
If you have any queries on Membership grades please contact the Membership team directly.
I am a Postgraduate Member
Postgraduate Members are automatically invited to submit a grade-change form when approaching your membership renewal date. This is linked to the graduation date provided in the initial joining process.
Don't worry if your expected graduation date has been changed, please do let the Membership team know and we can reflect this on your record.
If you have any queries on Membership grades please contact the Membership team directly.
What is the YMB community group?
The Young Marine Biologists have an online community group available to join once they become Members. This is a closed group exclusive to those YMBs under 18 and moderated by safeguarding trained and DBS checked staff only. This community allows your Young Marine Biologist to have a safe area for chat, collaboration, sharing of images and more!
MyMBA Member community
All Members (exc YMBS who have their own community) are eligible to join our MyMBA online Member only community. A platform to facilitate sharing, networking, collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Join the MyMBA Community, an exclusive online community where marine students, professionals, and enthusiasts come together to shape the future of marine biology. Driven by our core values, we aim to empower members to deepen their knowledge, connect with world-class experts, and achieve their social and environmental goals.
What are the payment options?
If you have a bank account in the United Kingdom, you can set up an automated recurring payment for either the full amount once annually, or a smaller monthly amount.
An alternative payment option for members worldwide is a one-time transaction by payment card.
Both payment options are facilitated online. For any enquiries relating to payment matters, please contact the membership team.
Do I receive a Membership Certificate?
Your MyMBA dashboard allows easy download of your personal Certificate. New Fellows are sent a handmade Certificate, printed, signed by the President, and framed as part of their welcome gifts.
Do I have to be a Member to book on a course or event?
No most of our events and courses are open to everyone however members receive a generous discount. If you would like to book on a course or event please visit the page and click on the book now button on the right hand side. If you have not previously booked an event you will need to click ‘Checkout as guest’ on the right hand side. If you have previously booked on a event or course but cannot remember your password please click on ‘Forgotten password’.
For full details of all course please see our Event calendar and any problems please contact Events.
What is The Marine Biologist?
An exclusive quarterly membership magazine bringing you the latest in marine biology research, policy, careers, and education. The magazine is available in digital and hard copy format, and is one of our main membership benefits. Members are encouraged to submit articles, letters of opinion, book reviews and images.
Further information about the magazine can be found here or by contacting the Editor directly.
What is the Journal?
First published in 1887, the Journal of the Marine Biological Association (JMBA) is an international journal, publishing original research and reviews on all aspects of marine biology, to support the aims of the Association.
All Student, Professional (inc Newly qualified and Postgraduate) and Fellow Members get access to the JMBA completely free of charge. Other Membership grades are able to add this feature for a nominal fee. As such, this is a significant membership benefit.
Members also receive a discount on fees associated with publishing in JMBA. Find out more about our journal here.
Podcasts
The Marine Biologist Podcast brings you conversations about marine life with leading marine biologists. If you are fascinated by the sea and its inhabitants and want to go deeper, this is the podcast for you. Each episode follows up on an article from the most recent edition of The Marine Biologist magazine.
What study pathway information / career support is available?
If you are considering a career in marine biology, joining as an under-18 Young Marine Biologist is a fantastic way to learn about the subject and find out about opportunities to enhance your career prospects. Once you have joined, remember to add to your CV that you belong to a Learned Society incorporated by Royal Charter! This sets you apart and demonstrates real commitment to the discipline.
Our resources include up-to-date career advice, such as recordings from the annual Young Marine Biologist Summit career discussion; information on subject choices and life as a university student; opportunities to connect with a professional marine biologist or mentor; opportunities to run or be part of the MBA Postgraduate Conferences, and to apply for bursaries to assist with costs of attending events and training.
Do you offer Work Experience?
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer work experience due to the nature of the work we do here at the MBA. We do however have some great opportunities for our Young Marine Biologist members and those interested in a career in the field including our Learning Zone and YMB resources.
The club is exclusively for our Young Marine Biologist members. For details of how to join as a Young Marine Biologist please see our joining page here.
Volunteering
We do from time to time offer volunteering opportunities, these are shared with our Members via our Members bulletin and if appropriate via our social media platforms. If you are not already a member and are interested in joining, we have a range of categories depending on your interest in Marine Biology, please see our website for more details.
Job Opportunities
Job opportunities are posted on our website under the vacancies section and circulated to MBA members by email.
Any Events can be found on our Learn with Us page, or on our social media platforms.
Following us on social media is another good way to keep up to date. We can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thembauk and on TikTok search for thembauk. For our YouTube channel search The Marine Biological Association.
I used to be a Member but I am no longer, how do I rejoin?
You can renew your Membership up to 360 days after it expired by simply logging back in to your MyMBA online dashboard.
If you are unable to do this or its been longer than that you can simply restart a new Membership - HERE or contact the Membership team who will be more than happy to help you.