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Established in 1957, the British Computer Society (BCS) is one of the leading bodies worldwide for those working in IT. It is the leading professional body for computing based in the United Kingdom.

With a world-wide membership of over 55,000 members in over 100 countries, the BCS is the qualifying body for Chartered IT professionals (CITP) and 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.

The BCS is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to award Chartered engineer status (CEng) and Incorporated engineer status (IEng); and more recently by the Science Council to award Chartered scientist status (CSci).

Various elements of the BCS promote career development, including the British Computer Society Young Professionals Group, for members under the age of 35 and ELITE for directors and executives working in leadership roles.

The BCS has offices off the Strand in Southampton Street, south of Covent Garden in central London. The main administrative offices are in Swindon west of London.

Contents 1 History 2 Grades of membership 3 Group/Corporate Membership 4 BCS qualifications 5 Structure 6 Trustees 7 External links 8 See also

The forerunner of BCS was the London Computer Group, founded in 1956. The BCS was formed a year later from the merger of the LCG and an unincorporated association of scientists into an unincorporated club. In October 1957, BCS was incorporated, by Articles of Association, as the British Computer Society Ltd: the First President of BCS was Dr Maurice Wilkes, FRS.

In 1966 the BCS was granted charitable status and in 1970, the BCS was given Armorial Bearings including the shield and crest. The major ethical responsibilities of BCS are emphasized by the leopard's face, surmounting the whole crest and depicting eternal vigilance over the integrity of the Society and its members.

The BCS patron is HRH The Duke of Kent, KG. He became patron in December 1976 and has been actively involved in BCS activities, particularly having been President in the Silver Jubilee Year in 1982–1983.

The society has different grades of membership, a standard grade includes Affiliates, Students, Associate Members and Companions.

The professional grades include Member (MBCS) and Fellow (FBCS).

Additionally, professional members may apply for Chartered status of the BCS (CITP). The society is able to award on CEng, IEng, EurIng and CSci.

Some organisations may encourage their IT professionals to join the Society through its Group Membership Scheme. This demonstrates the collective commitment to professionalism and confirm the organisation's status as an employer of IT practitioners. [1]

The Society provides a range of qualifications both for users of computers and IT professionals.

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

The BCS is licensed to offer the ECDL qualification in the UK. The qualification is the international standard for users of computers and covers seven modules:

• Basic Concepts of IT
• Using Computers & Managing Files
• Word processing
• Spreadsheets
• Databases
• Presentations
• Information and Communication

ECDL is available from test centres across the UK [2].

ECDL Advanced

The advanced course ("ECDL Advanced") has four sections, each a qualification in its own right:

1. Word Processing
2. Spreadsheets
3. Databases
4. Presentations

Upon achieving all four advanced qualifications, the individual can receive a qualification as an "ECDL Expert" — in the UK, this confers upon the person Associate Membership of the British Computer Society.

e-Citizen

The e-Citizen qualification allows beginners to get online and start using the Internet. The qualification has been designed to allow everyone get a basic understanding of the Internet and to start using the web safely, from reading email to shopping online [3].

e-type

e-type is a qualification that allows indiviuduals to improve and certify their typing skills. The average user can save up to 21 days a year by improving their typing speed as well as preventing RSI. e-type comes with full support materials and computer based courseware before allowing the user to assess their skills using a simple online test [4].

The BCS also offers professional qualifications via the Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB)

ISEB

ISEB provides a wide range of qualifications for IT professionals covering major areas including Management, Development, Service Delivery and Quality [5].

In common with many engineering institutions, the BCS is divided into a number of regional branches, and specialist groups. Currently there are 45 regional branches in the UK, 16 international sections and 53 specialist groups.

The Society is governed by a Trustee Board comprising the President, the Deputy President, the immediate past President, up to nine Vice Presidents (including Vice-President Finance), and five professional members elected by the advisory Council.

The BCS advisory Council elects the Honorary Officers — the President, the Deputy President and up to nine Vice-Presidents, together with the immediate past President and five members of Council.

The advisory Council provides advice to the Trustee Board on the direction and operation of BCS; in particular it is consulted on strategic plans and the annual budget. The Council is a representative body of the membership, with members elected directly by the professional membership, and by the Branches, Groups and Forums.

List (Historical) of Trustees Elected by Council

• Mr A. S. Brown MBCS (2005–2008)
• Dr D. Holdsworth CEng FBCS CITP (2005–2009)
• Mr R. A. McLaughlin CEng FBCS CITP (–2006)
• Mrs E. K. Somogyi FBCS CITP (2005–2008)
• Mr M. B. Stranks CEng FBCS CITP (2004–2008)

• Official website

• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
• BCS-FACS Specialist Group
• IEEE Computer Society (IEEE CS)
• Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE)