Museum benefits
Find out what we have to offer you
As an employee or volunteer you'll enjoy free entrance to our temporary exhibitions.
Once you join our team you will receive many benefits and will be working in a creative, fulfilling and exciting environment.
Employment policies for staff and volunteers
The Museum has a range of policies covering conditions of employment and volunteering. For further information on our employment policies, contact the Head of Employment Policy and Recruitment, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, or email us.
For more information on applying for any vacancy at the Museum, go to Application information
Benefits for staff and volunteers
For all
These benefits are for all staff and volunteers
Free entrance to other museums
Free entry to a wide range of museums and other visitor attractions including some of their exhibitions.
Discounts
A 10% discount in the shops of the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum (plus further seasonal discounts).
Exhibitions
Free entry into paid exhibitions within the Museum.
Free tickets and seasonal events
Ten complimentary admission tickets to the Museum's special exhibitions for your friends and family, plus invitations to seasonal Museum parties.
Other events
There is easy access to lectures, seminars and our Nature Live events.
Sports and Social Association
The Natural History Museum has a thriving Sports and Social Association offering a wide variety of activities. The association is a member of the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) and Museum employees can join upon payment of a small membership fee.
Find out more about CSSC
Employee assistance programme
An employee assistance programme is available for all Museum employees volunteers, their family and partners. The programme is delivered by Employee Advisory Resource (EAR) on the Museum’s behalf.
Find out more about the Employee Advisory Resource
For Museum staff
These benefits are for Museum staff
Pension scheme
Museum staff can join the Nuvos Civil Service Pension Scheme or the Partnership Pension Scheme.
Find out more about our Pension Scheme options PDF (38.3 KB)
Annual leave
The full-time annual leave entitlement is 27.5 days per leave year from 1 February to 31 January plus 8 bank holidays.
Learning and Development
As an organisation with the Investor in People accreditation, the Museum is committed to providing learning and development opportunities for Museum staff.
We offer:
- assistance to gain relevant qualifications by paying course fees and providing study leave
- an in-house training programme covering topics such as, project management, coaching skills, management development and presentation skills
- funding for external conferences and membership of relevant professional bodies
- a supportive environment in which to expand your skills on the job
Download the Museum’s
Eyecare Vouchers scheme
The Museum operates an eyecare voucher scheme whereby permanent members of staff, and volunteers, who use a computer screen for more than 1 hour per day, can receive an eye test voucher.
Season ticket and bicycle purchase loans
For staff with contracts lasting longer than 12 months there is provision for interest-free loans for the purchase of season tickets and bicycles for travel between home and office.
Childcare Vouchers scheme
The Museum offers a salary sacrifice arrangement for the provision of childcare vouchers. The scheme is run by Edenred Services.
Find out more about the Childcare Voucher scheme
For volunteers
These benefits and rewards are for volunteers
Expenses and rewards
As a volunteer, you are entitled to £12 weekly reimbursement towards your travel and lunch expenses. This does not include Work Experience students.
We encourage a schedule of 1 day per week (5-7 hours) for an extended period of time, ideally 4 months or more, where possible and the volunteer reward system best supports this.
Please note that £12 is the maximum claim per week and this does not increase with a more demanding schedule. Travel claims must be for the cheapest fare available to your destination.
For interns
These benefits and rewards are for interns
Expenses and rewards
As an intern, you are entitled to travel expenses for zones 1-3 (depending on your address and where departmental funds are available) and £12 weekly reimbursement towards your lunch expenses. This does not include work experience students.
We encourage a schedule of 3-5 days per week for 1-3 months where possible and the intern reward system best supports this.
Please note that if you are carrying out an internship as part of a qualification or compulsory element or have already received funding for a course then you are only offered £12 weekly reimbursement towards your travel/lunch expenses.
