About BCS

Established in 1957, the British Computer Society (BCS) is the leading body for those working in IT.
With a world-wide membership now over 65,000 members in over 100 countries, BCS is the qualifying body for Chartered IT Professionals (CITP). We are also an international awarding body for a wide range of qualifications for both users of IT and IT specialists.
BCS was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1984. Its objects are to promote the study and practice of computing and to advance knowledge of and education in IT for the benefit of the public. BCS is also a registered charity.
BCS is licensed by the Engineering Council to award Chartered Engineer status (CEng) and Incorporated Engineer status (IEng); and more recently by the Science Council to award Chartered Scientist status (CSci).
Through our specific Professionalism in IT programme, BCS is leading and building IT professionalism.

The essential requirement for professional competence coupled with appropriate professional standards lies at the heart of almost all BCS activity and the services that it provides.
BCS enables individuals, organizations and society to realise the potential of and maximise the benefits from IT by:

• Setting and maintaining the highest professional standards for IT professionals including
• accrediting individual professional competence and integrity through the award of BCS professional qualifications and those of the Engineering Council and of the Science Council; and by inspection and accreditation of university courses and company training schemes
• defining standards for professional conduct through the BCS Code of Conduct and Code of Good Practice
• Initiating and informing debate on IT strategic issues with Government, Industry, and Academia
• Advising the UK Government and its agencies on IT-related matters regarding proposed legislation
• Representing the profession on issues of importance and liaising with other professional bodies, including other engineering institutions and overseas societies
• Examining and initiating debate on topical IT issues, most recently through the BCS programme of Thought Leadership debates
• Supporting individuals in their career development
• Providing opportunities for networking through the activities of the Branch and Group networks and the Forums.

BCS has a number of joint membership agreements with other professional bodies and also has relationships with numerous external organizations.

BCS professionalism programme

IT has moved from providing technical solutions to powering business.  IT is now a business focused profession, partnering with business to maximise the exploitation of information technology and since 2005 BCS has been leading a professionalism Programme for IT.
BCS is working to establish the IT profession on a par with others, such as HR, Marketing and Finance, and for the profession to be recognised as integral to business and seen as more than just a service provider.
The IT profession is as much about Information as about Technology and must be seen - and see itself - as an integral part of the business. The challenge is to create a profession where the test of professionalism is related to business impact and outcomes in addition to technical excellence.
Where there is recognition and respect for IT professionals and for the importance of IT to business and in the wider community. Where there is:

• More effective exploitation of IT
• More reliable delivery of IT projects and programmes
• Lower costs of ownership of IT resources and systems
• Higher reputation for the industry and the profession
• Sustained business and social benefits

www.bcs.org