How To Join

For BSR membership queries please contact: 019 5221 4061 or subscriptions@rheumatology.org.uk

Download Application Form

Benefits of Membership

• Rheumatology - 12 issues a year (online only for non-clinical scientists)
• BSR publications and guidelines
• arc Topical Reviews and Hands On
• Hard copy newsletter three times a year
• Monthly e-newsletter
• Members' handbook
• Access to Rheumatology on-line
• Members-only website material
• Eligibility to apply for courses and conferences, including the Annual Conference
• Free abstract supplements for BSR meetings
• Eligibility to apply for BSR prizes and fellowships, such as the Michael Mason prize and the SpR Travelling Fellowship. Other prizes include the Young Investigator Award and the Garrod Prize.

Membership Categories

Ordinary membership

Open to anyone working or normally resident in the United Kingdom who has a special interest or experience in any field relevant to rheumatology. The benefits include the right to attend and vote at business meetings and attend all other meetings and activities of the Society, the right to receive the Society journal Rheumatology, BSR membership of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), and provide support for the Heberden Library Fund.

Overseas membership

Open to anyone working or normally resident outside the United Kingdom, who has a special interest in, or experience in any field relevant to rheumatology. The Society particularly welcomes applications from applicants who have worked in the UK at some stage in their career and who are likely to attend meetings of the Society. The privileges of Overseas Membership shall include receipt of the Society's Journal, the Handbook of the Society, and notification of meetings scheduled for the year following. Overseas Members may attend the business meeting of the Society but may not vote there.

Reduced rate membership

For those proposed members who earn less than £27,509 a reduced rate is offered. Forms for confirmation of this are available when membership is accepted, and will require the signature of the Head of Department (NB: THIS IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO UK MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY)

Retired membership

Ordinary members who retire from practice because of ill health or who reach the customary age of retirement are eligible to become retired members. There are two rates for retired members offered by the BSR; one for those retired members who would like to receive the Society journal Rheumatology and the office mailings, or a much lower rate for those retired members who would like to receive only the office mailings and online access to the Journal.

Non-clinical scientist membership

Applicants for this category of membership are eligible for a special reduced rate. This does not include receipt of the Journal by post, but does include online access to the Journal, access to the BSR website and BSR mailings. Those with tenured posts will not be eligible for the rate. Forms for confirmation of this status will be available when membership is accepted, and will require the signature of the Supervisor.

Tenured Scientist

A reduced subscription rate for scientists working in a tenured position. This category of membership is only available to UK applicants. Independent confirmation of employment status will be required. Privileges include receipt of the journal Rheumatology but no voting rights.

Applying for Membership

To apply, fill in the application form on the site and return it to us. You will need to find two existing members of the Society (Overseas or UK) to propose and second you. Do not enclose any payment at this stage.

Application forms are put to the Council, which meets three times a year, for approval and each candidate will be notified shortly afterwards of the Council's decision.

Application forms should be sent to the Membership Officer not less than 21 days before the Council is due to meet. Forms received after this date will be submitted to the following Council meeting.

The next Council Meeting is scheduled to take place on:

Thursday 6 November 2008

Subscription Rates for 2008

All proposed members have to pay their subscription by direct debit if possible: the cost is reduced for direct debit payers in the United Kingdom.

If you send a direct debit form when you have been asked to pay, you will be entitled to the reduced direct debit rate at once.

Rates:

• Ordinary: direct debit/bank transfer £182
• Ordinary: payment by other means £210
• Overseas: £160
• Reduced rate (for earnings of less than £29,580 gross p/a): £90
• Retired: receiving Journal £90
• Retired: online access to Journal only £32
• Non-clinical scientist £32
• Tenured scientist: £105