1. The Chartered Institute for IT
BCS
The Chartered Institute for IT
September 2018

2. About BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Formed in 1957
Received its Royal Charter in 1984
International awarding body for qualifications
Over 70,000 members in over 150 countries
The only awarding body for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status
Route to Incorporated Engineer (Ieng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng)
also Chartered Scientist (CSci)
UK’s leading professional body for those working in IT and computing
Promotes wider social and economic progress through the advancement of information technology, science and practice.
BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT is the UK’s leading professional body for those working in IT and computing, the only awarding body for CITP status and also a route to related chartered registrations such as Chartered Engineer (CEng) & Chartered Scientist (CSci).  With over 70,000 members in more than 150 countries, its aim is to lead the development of the IT profession, and make IT the profession of the 21st century.
What is a Chartered body?
A Royal Charter is the most prestigious means of incorporating an organisation as a legal entity. In the case of professional bodies, it is reserved for those that are considered to be pre-eminent in their field, have a sound record of achievement and represent a body of knowledge that is unique and not covered by other professional bodies. BCS received its Royal Charter in 1984.
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3. What tasks does the Chartered Institute for IT perform?
Works with stakeholders
Sets standards for education & training
Advances & disseminates knowledge
Monitors professional conduct
Provides services to members
Recognises achievement
Represents the profession on issues of importance
Offers members opportunities for networking both inside & outside the UK
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4. What is a professional body?
‘a not-for-profit organisation seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.’
To establish a Code of Conduct
To share knowledge of new developments and good practice
To set standards of education, skills and experience
To advise government
What is a professional body?
A professional body is defined as a non-profit organisation seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.
. As the professional body develops, so does its range of functions:
To establish a code of conduct to regulate the way in which its members behave, with disciplinary procedures for members who breach the code.
To share knowledge of new developments and good practice, via publications, conferences, forums, internet
To set standards of education and skills as requirements which must be met by those wishing to join the professional body.
To advise government bodies about matters within its expertise.
Most professions develop professional bodies that act in a regulatory fashion. Some bodies regulate the activities of their profession through legislative powers whist others, such as the IT profession, are self-regulated.
Examples of other professional bodies:
The Law Society, The Royal Institute of British Architects, The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
For IT professionals – BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
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5. Why join BCS?
Access the resources, skills and opportunities to help with your studies and develop your future career
Connect with latest developments and top people in IT
Demonstrates your commitment to the IT profession
Shows you are serious about your career development
Sets you apart
Exclusive range of member services and benefits
Can acquire post nominals (MBCS, FBCS, CITP …)
So why join BCS?
In an increasingly competitive world, the BCS gives you an important edge, it shows that you are serious about your career in IT, and committed to your own professional development.
In many areas of professionalism, such as law or accountancy, the qualifications and membership awarded by a professional body, particular one with Royal Charter, are an essential element of a professional career.
By becoming a member of BCS you’ll be identified as having competences that employers value and recognise. You will be able to enhance your professional status and show to future employers or clients that you have a strong commitment to your profession.
By becoming a BCS member, you become part of the organisation aiming to make IT the profession of the 21st Century. BCS engages with government, employers, academics, the media & other professional bodies to develop the status of IT professionals.
Our range of services and benefits will help you to maintain your level of professionalism and guide you in your continual career development.
Mentoring
Best Practice Portal / Corporate IT Forum (for Chartered and Fellows)
Discounted training opportunities
Browse SFIAplus (Skills Framework For the Information Age)
Find your perfect job using our job board, BCS Recruit
You can also gain the recognition you deserve by:
Using post nominals, the BCS logo,and displaying your membership certificate.
As a Chartered Member and / or Fellow your name will be displayed in our Register of Chartered Members and Fellows.
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6. Why join BCS?
“Our goal is to continue to attract and retain the highest calibre IT professionals and help them through their professional development.
We continue to share BCS’ goal and vision for the future and believe that well equipped, highly motivated and industry aware professionals are the key to future success”
Ian Tufts, Head of Research and Development, Sage (UK) Ltd
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7. Student membership benefits
Unique networking from BCS.
Who you know is often as important as what you know:
Access to top people and latest thinking
Dedicated Young Professionals Group (YPG)
Online Member Network
Over 50 UK Branches and over 50 Specialist Groups
BCS Kent Branch – often meets in the School of Computing
BCS Student Chapter at University of Kent (can you help?)
Over 12 International Sections and Groups
Access to knowledge and best practice.
Make sure that what you know is current, relevant and reliable.
Discounted access to Safari Books Online – IT and business eBooks
Industry reports - a new report each month, plus unlimited archive access
Regular newsletters and members’ magazine
Discounts on books purchased through the BCS online bookshop
Free BCS e-books
BCS Student membership provides you with many benefits which will help you while you are studying.
Networking opportunities - BCS offers unrivalled opportunities to network with IT professionals locally and regionally.
Branches - BCS has 51 UK branches & 14 International Sections/Groups which hold regular meetings on diverse subjects within the field of IT. They have a programme of regular social events and award programmes which enable BCS members to maintain contact with other professionals in their area, keep abreast of current developments and have a real input to their Society.
The Kent Branch usually meets in the School of Computing, as does the Kent Student Chapter
Specialist Groups – From over 50 Specialist Groups, you can choose up to 5 groups with whom you would like to network, and use to your advantage during your study. They act as a technical network covering a wide range of subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Business Information Systems, Information Security, Electronic Publishing, Software Testing. They allow you to meet and network with professionals working in your technical area, and are a great source of information, especially whilst you’re studying.
YPG - As a BCS member you’re automatically entitled to membership of the YPG - the largest networking group within the society, giving you opportunity to meet with active and interested students like yourselves. They’re an energetic group who work collectively on a variety of initiatives throughout the UK, including soft skills events & recruitment shows which attract some of the nations top employers.
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8. Young Professionals Group
With over 20,000 members, this is the largest membership group within BCS
YPG is dedicated to supporting and representing those in the foundation years of their technology and computing career.
Run almost entirely by volunteers, it is an energetic group which works collectively on a variety of initiatives throughout the UK, such as talks, workshops, education and networking events
All of this aims to benefit its members, and connect the wider IT community.
BCS Student membership provides you with many benefits which will help you while you are studying.
Networking opportunities - BCS offers unrivalled opportunities to network with IT professionals locally and regionally.
Branches - BCS has 51 UK branches & 14 International Sections/Groups which hold regular meetings on diverse subjects within the field of IT. They have a programme of regular social events and award programmes which enable BCS members to maintain contact with other professionals in their area, keep abreast of current developments and have a real input to their Society.
The Kent Branch usually meets in the School of Computing, as does the Kent Student Chapter
Specialist Groups – From over 50 Specialist Groups, you can choose up to 5 groups with whom you would like to network, and use to your advantage during your study. They act as a technical network covering a wide range of subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Business Information Systems, Information Security, Electronic Publishing, Software Testing. They allow you to meet and network with professionals working in your technical area, and are a great source of information, especially whilst you’re studying.
YPG - As a BCS member you’re automatically entitled to membership of the YPG - the largest networking group within the society, giving you opportunity to meet with active and interested students like yourselves. They’re an energetic group who work collectively on a variety of initiatives throughout the UK, including soft skills events & recruitment shows which attract some of the nations top employers.
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9. Student membership benefits cont.
Other Knowledge Services:
e-newsletters
Latest Industry news
Events, seminars and job opportunities
Gadget reviews
Free subscriptions to Computing and Globalization Today (digital versions)
Member magazine ITNOW
e-BCS – the member weekly electronic newsletter which carries news from BCS and the wider IT community, trailing new online content, member offers & forthcoming events
e-BCS student – a monthly electronic newsletter reflecting the needs and interests of BCS student members including industry news, gadget reviews, upcoming events, job opportunities
IT Now – free subscription to IT Now magazine, raising awareness of professional issues, IT innovations & technological developments for BCS and the wider community
BCS website - providing relevant IT information whenever you need it, including breaking industry news, articles, interviews, reviews, features, blogs & games and
Career development: As you come to the end of your study and start thinking about your career, BCS can provide you with the support you need. BCS members have full access to SFIAplus, the UK recognised framework for IT knowledge, skills and training. SFIAplus defines skills for the IT profession. Use SFIA plus as a career development tool to map current skills within an IT job role, identify career paths and plan future training and development needs.
BCSrecruit.com - BCS have recently launch their own recruitment site so you get to find out about the latest IT jobs first. For those new to the IT Profession, the site provides a series of articles containing useful hints on how to get the job you want now and in the future.
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10. Student membership benefits cont.
Career Development:
Gain Associate membership with AMBCS after your name with
1 year full time IT work experience
Plan the training and development you need
Map your career and discover the skills you need
Get advice on writing CVs and letters and interview techniques
BCSrecruit – Access the latest IT jobs via
Discounts:
BCS Online bookshop
Other BCS publications
Venue hire
Insurance
Discounts/benefits - Members also benefit from discounts on BCS publications, as well as exclusive deals on software and hardware from leading suppliers. The wide range of exclusive member benefits includes a free forwarding facility.
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11. Return on your investment
Individuals with professional qualifications and membership stand to gain £152,000 in additional earnings over the course of their careers and a 9% increase in the probability of being employed because of the transferable skills on offer*
Members of Professional Bodies earn an estimated 17% premium over their working life**
Sources….. *CMI and **Consultative Committee for Professional Management Organisations
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12. Potential worth Professional recognition £10,000s to £100,000s
Career development & opportunities £10,000s
Benefits and services £1000s
Legal help £50/hr +
Events £100s
Publications £100 +
Discounts on software, training and books £100s
Research reports £1000s
Professional Indemnity Insurance discount £110 to £170
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13. Membership categories
Ordinary Grades:
Student membership - grade for those on a course of IT/computing related study
Associate membership (AMBCS) - a first step to Professional membership
Professional Grades:
Professional membership (MBCS) - requires 2 to 5+ years’ experience dependent on qualifications
Fellowship (FBCS) - our most senior grade for IT professionals
Chartered Status:
Chartered IT Professional status (CITP) - The benchmark of IT Excellence.
Other registrations: Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci)
Student membership – the grade for those on a course of IT related study.
Associate Membership (AMBCS) – the grade designed to be a first step to professional membership, for those who are new to the IT profession, with a non-accredited degree and/or minimal IT work experience.
Professional Membership (MBCS) - If you’re studying a BCS accredited first degree, you’ll be eligible for MBCS at the point of graduation. If your degree is not accredited you will need a first degree and two years’ IT work experience to gain MBCS status.
Fellowship – Our most senior grade is for those who hold a senior IT position or have an established reputation of eminence or authority in the field of IT, with also a minimum of 5 years’ IT practitioner experience.
Chartered IT Professional (CITP) - Chartered status is the benchmark of IT excellence and is internationally valued and respected. To become a Chartered IT Professional you will typically have 8-10 years of IT work experience, and you’ll need to be in a role that demonstrates:
Significant influence and responsibility
A challenging range of complex work activities
Full accountability
Well developed business skills
As the Chartered Institute for IT, only BCS can award Chartered status.
BCS is also licensed by the Engineering Council and the Science Council to offer Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) registrations.
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14. For more information and to apply: go to www.bcs.org/student
Join today
For more information and to apply:
go to
use the links in the top box
Membership fees as of September 2016: £37 for 1 year (~71p per week) or £57 for full course (~27p per week)
Even if you don’t join immediately, join the BCS Kent Non-Members mailing list:
send an (content immaterial) to:
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