Overseas member

The IBMS has strong links with European biomedical science organisations, and IBMS Accredited degree courses are delivered by universities around the world—including in Hong Kong, Australia, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Kuwait.

Overseas members receive most of the same benefits as UK-based members. If you're applying from outside the UK, we'll verify your qualifications and assign your membership grade based on how they compare to a UK undergraduate degree.

Qualifications from overseas

If you haven’t completed an IBMS Accredited degree, you’ll need to have your overseas qualifications verified by UK ENIC. They will issue a letter confirming how your qualifications compare to UK academic standards.

When you apply, please include a copy of your UK ENIC confirmation letter and your qualification certificates.

Please note:
We may be able to check your qualifications with UK ENIC as part of your application for a fee of £30. However, we cannot issue a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability or confirmation letter. For more details, contact [email protected].

Find the right grade of membership

If your undergraduate qualification is not equivalent to a UK Honours degree

If UK ENIC confirms that your undergraduate qualification is not equivalent to a UK Honours degree, you can apply for Associate membership.

If you are HCPC registered, have worked in biomedical science in the UK for over a year, and UK ENIC confirms your qualification is not equivalent to a UK Honours degree, you can apply for Licentiate membership. In this case, your laboratory manager will also be required to complete a supporting statement as part of your application.

If your undergraduate qualification is equivalent to a UK Honours degree

If UK ENIC confirms your undergraduate qualification is the equivalent of a UK Honours degree, you can apply for Licentiate membership.

If your M-level qualification is equivalent to a UK Masters degree

If UK ENIC confirms your M-level qualification is the equivalent of a UK Master’s degree, plus you have two years relevant professional experience, you can apply to become a Member.

If your D-level qualification is equivalent to a UK Doctorate

If UK ENIC confirms your D-level qualification is the equivalent of a UK Doctorate, plus you have five years relevant professional experience, you can apply for Fellow membership.

Subscribing to our membership magazine

Overseas members receive the Biomedical Scientist magazine each month by email as part of their membership.

If you’d prefer to receive a printed copy by airmail, there is an additional annual fee of £94.06. For example, to receive the magazine by post, you’ll need to pay your membership fee, a £20 registration fee, and the £94.06 airmail charge by credit or debit card.

Working in the UK

The IBMS is unable to help members find employment. We recommend checking the job listings in the Biomedical Scientist magazine and on our Jobs Board.

For information about working or studying in the UK, please contact your local British Council office, consulate or embassy.

Refugees and asylum-seekers

Refugee and asylum-seeking healthcare professionals who want to work in the UK can find practical advice and guidance on the Refugee Council and NHS Employers websites.

Academics who are refugees or seeking asylum can access information and support from CARA (the Council for At-Risk Academics).

HCPC registration

To work in the UK, biomedical scientists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

For overseas applicants who want to become registered as a biomedical scientist in the UK, please refer to the HCPC's international application process.

Please contact [email protected] or call +44 (0)845 300 4472 if you have any questions about HCPC registration.