BASES Graduate Membership update

BASES offers several different membership categories. The current Graduate membership is available for one year to all students who have recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of sport and exercise science; and for anyone studying towards a doctoral degree (e.g., PhD). 

Following discussions within the BASES Stakeholder Committee and the Student Advisory Group (SAG), the Board recently considered extending the graduate membership qualifying period to offer an improved student / graduate offering and to assist our members. At its meeting on 15 November 2021, the Board agreed to extend the qualifying period for graduate membership from one year to three years. 

We are aware from SAG feedback that cost is a significant factor in graduates not upgrading their memberships and students not moving to graduate membership. By extending the qualifying period of a graduate membership, this change would save graduates approximately half the cost of signing up as a professional member following graduation. 

Given the current environment, and especially the UK job market, the Board feels an extension would provide student and graduate members with the opportunity for further career development and greater use of BASES’ networks and resources in the early stages of their career, whilst there may be more financial pressure and uncertainty. 

The Board appreciates that some student members may not currently be aware of the graduate membership category, so this update also seeks to inform our wider student members about this category of membership.