Careers

Free Membership for EPSRC Students

Please note this is not available to MSc Students.

If you are studying for a PhD or equivalent level qualification and receive funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), you may be eligible for up to five years free membership of the Institute of Physics.

The EPSRC is keen to strengthen links with the students it sponsors by providing them with the opportunity to join the professional body that represents their field of expertise. In return, EPSRC would like to take the opportunity to track the career paths of their supported students and find out exactly how such funding helps graduates to develop. To take advantage of this opportunity you'll need to contact Samir Dawoud (details at the bottom of this page) and agree to the terms and conditions (see below).

How to take advantage of the EPSRC-funded membership scheme

• As an EPSRC-funded PhD (or equivalent level) student, you will be applying for associate membership of the Institute of Physics. Simply download an associate membership application form and complete it in full before returning it as indicated on page 2.
• You will be asked to supply your EPSRC grant reference number in order to process your application. All students who receive funding from EPSRC have a grant reference number associated with their grant. If you cannot retrieve it from your department or other relevant body you should contact EPSRC directly in order to retrieve your grant reference number.

What to do if you are already a member of the Institute of Physics and wish to take advantage of the scheme

• If you are already an Associate Member of the Institute of Physics and you wish to take advantage of the EPSRC-funded membership scheme you should click here to download a special form (you will be asked to log in). Simply follow the instructions above in order to process your application. (Please make sure that we have your up-to-date contact information on file by logging in from the home page and selecting My Address from your personal welcome page.)

What to do if you are studying at MSc level with an EPSRC grant

• The EPSRC-funded membership scheme is not available to students studying at MSc level. If you're studying for an MSc in preparation for an EPSRC-funded PhD (or equivalent level) course you should wait until you have completed your MSc year of study and have secured your place on the higher course before applying.

Terms and conditions of the EPSRC-funded membership scheme

• The scheme affords eligible applicants the opportunity to apply for EPSRC-funded membership from the point of application (meaning the point at which the application is accepted by the Institute of Physics) for the remainder of their PhD and two years beyond. In no circumstances will this period exceed 6 years. It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply as soon as they are able within their period of study. No retrospective discounts or free membership periods are offered. All applications must be made prior to the completion of the relevant course.
• The scheme is offered at the discretion of both the Institute of Physics and EPSRC.
• Applicants confirm that they are supported by the EPSRC for their postgraduate studies. A supervisor's signature is required for confirmation.
• Applicants agree for some of their personal details to be provided to EPSRC to confirm they are supported from EPSRC funds and have applied to join only one society through EPSRC.
• Applicants agree for the Institute of Physics to forward details of their occupation to EPSRC (please see below for more details).

What information is EPSRC seeking?

The EPSRC have asked us to provide them with periodic information relating to the career paths (employment sector, nature of occupation) of EPSRC sponsored students. The information will include name, address, institution hosting postgraduate studies, and nature of postgraduate employment as appropriate. If there is a need for additional information on former students, we will co-operate in conducting surveys or assist EPSRC to make contact with them.

What next?

Download an application form for associate membership.

Contact EPSRC in order to retrieve my grant reference number.

Contact the student liaison officer at the Institute of Physics.

Samir Dawoud
Job Title:  Student Liaison Officer
Email:  samir.dawoud@iop.org

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