British Computer Society facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
British Computer Society

Founded	2 May 1957; 68 years ago (1957-05-02)
Founder	Sir Maurice Wilkes
Type	Professional Organisation
Focus	Information Technology
Location	London, United Kingdom
Origins	London Computer Group
Area served	Worldwide
Method	Chartered IT status, Industry standards, Conferences, Publications and regulation of ICT education
Members	60,000 in 150 countries
Key people	The Duke of Kent, KG (Patron) Daljit Rehal, President (2025-26) Sharron Gunn, CEO

The British Computer Society (BCS) is also known as BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. It is a group for people who work with computers and technology. This includes jobs in information technology (IT), computing, and software engineering. BCS helps people in the United Kingdom and all over the world.

It started in 1957. BCS helps train IT experts and makes sure they follow high standards. They also give special titles like Chartered IT Professional (CITP). BCS helps build a global community for people who love computers.

Sir Nigel Shadbolt was President of BCS from 2006 to 2007.

Dame Wendy Hall was President of BCS from 2003 to 2004.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent was President of BCS from 1982 to 1983.

Lord Mountbatten was President of BCS from 1966 to 1967.

Sir Maurice Wilkes served as the first President of BCS in 1957.

What is the British Computer Society?

BCS has over 57,000 members around the world. It is a registered charity. In 1984, it received a special honor called a Royal Charter. This means the King or Queen officially recognized its important work.

BCS aims to teach people about computer and communication technology. They also want to improve education in IT. This helps both IT professionals and the general public.

How BCS Works with Other Groups

BCS is part of the Engineering Council. This allows them to give out titles like Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer. They help set rules for IT and computer science in the UK.

BCS is also part of other European and international groups. These groups work together to make sure computer degrees are recognized worldwide. They also help ensure quality in IT education.

Where is BCS Located?

BCS has an office in London. Their main offices are in Swindon, Wiltshire. They also have offices in Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

Members of BCS receive a magazine called ITNOW. It comes out four times a year.

The History of BCS

The group that came before BCS was called the "London Computer Group." It started in 1956. BCS was officially formed in October 1957. Sir Maurice Wilkes was the very first President of BCS.

In 1966, BCS became a charity. In 1970, they received their own special Coat of Arms. This crest has a leopard's face. It reminds members to always be watchful and honest.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent became the patron of BCS in 1976. He was also president from 1982 to 1983.

In 2009, the British Computer Society changed its name. It became "BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT."

How BCS is Run

BCS is managed by a group called the Trustee Board. This board includes the President and other leaders. Sir Maurice Wilkes was the first president. Each president serves for two years.

The Advisory Council helps the Trustee Board. They give advice on plans and budgets. This council represents the members of BCS.

Becoming a Fellow of BCS (FBCS)

The title Fellow of the BCS (FBCS) is a special honor. It is given to people who have done amazing things in IT. This includes leaders in technology and business. Fellows are expected to help promote the IT profession. They also share their knowledge at events.

To become a Fellow, people need to show strong leadership in IT. They must be known for their IT skills. They also need to have helped advance knowledge in the field.

Some famous Fellows include:

• Dame Wendy Hall – a former President of BCS.
• Andy Harter – CEO of RealVNC.
• Tony Hey – a former Vice President at Microsoft Research.
• Hermann Hauser – who started ARM Ltd.
• Frank Zhigang Wang – who invented a special type of computer memory.

BCS also gives Honorary Fellowships. For example, Dorothy Monekosso received this honor. She worked on Smart Homes for people with dementia. She also worked to encourage more diversity in tech.

What is a Chartered IT Professional?

BCS is the only group in the UK that can give the "chartered" title to IT professionals. This is thanks to their Royal Charter. People with this title are called Chartered IT Professional. They can use the letters CITP after their name. BCS keeps a list of all current Chartered Members.

Other professional groups can ask BCS for permission. This allows them to also award the CITP title to their members.

Different Types of BCS Membership

BCS has several levels of membership:

Special Honors

• Distinguished Fellow: Only a few people have received this highest honor.
• Honorary Fellowship (Hon FBCS): Given to people for special achievements.

Professional Levels

• Fellow (FBCS): For those with major achievements in IT.
• Member (MBCS): For experienced IT professionals.

Other Levels

• Associate Member (AMBCS): For those starting their IT career.
• Student Member: For students studying IT.
• Affiliate: For anyone interested in IT.
• Group membership: For companies that want their IT staff to join.
• Education affiliates: For schools and colleges that BCS works with.

Other Special Titles

BCS can also help members get other titles. These include Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Incorporated Engineer (IEng). They can also help with European Engineer (EUR ING) status.

Members are encouraged to use their special letters after their name. For example, a Chartered IT Professional who is also a Fellow might write FBCS CITP.

Awards from BCS

BCS gives out several awards. These awards recognize great computer scientists and engineers. They also honor experienced and young IT professionals.

Some of the awards include:

• Lovelace Medal
• Roger Needham Award
• Early Career Award
• John Perry Prize
• Distinguished Dissertation Award
• UK IT Industry Awards

BCS Qualifications and Certifications

BCS offers many qualifications. These are for people who use computers and for IT professionals.

BCS IT User Qualifications

These qualifications help people learn computer skills. They cover things like spreadsheets, presentations, and video editing. They also teach about staying safe online.

• European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL): BCS is the only group that offers ECDL in the UK.
• Advanced ECDL: This is a higher level of ECDL. If you pass all four parts, you become an "ECDL Expert."

BCS Higher Education Qualifications (HEQs)

BCS also has its own higher education qualifications. These are offered in many countries. They are like university degrees in IT.

• Certificate in IT: Like the first year of a university degree.
• Diploma in IT: Like the second year of a university degree.
• Professional Graduate Diploma in IT: Like a full university degree.

Other Certifications

BCS offers professional certifications through its Professional Certifications board. These cover areas like IT management and service delivery.

• Informatics Professional: BCS helps health and care IT professionals get registered. There are different levels like Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner.

How BCS is Organized

BCS has many local groups and special interest groups. There are 45 local groups in the UK. There are also 16 international groups and over 50 special interest groups.

UK Local Groups

International Groups

Special Interest Groups

Publications and Resources

BCS publishes magazines and journals about IT.

Their magazines include:

• ITNOW: A quarterly magazine for IT professionals.

Their journals are mostly published by Oxford University Press. They include:

• The Computer Journal: A monthly journal.
• Formal Aspects of Computing: A quarterly journal about formal methods in computing.
• Interacting with Computers: A journal about how humans and computers interact.

BCS also publishes Electronic Workshops in Computing (eWiC). This series shares papers from conferences and workshops.

BCS Coat of Arms

Arms of British Computer Society

Notes Granted 1 December 1970 Crest On a wreath Argent and Sable, a lion's head affronty Or, holding in the mouth a key fesswise sable. Escutcheon Argent, on a fess Sable, between in chief two computer ferrite core memory store matrices Proper, and in base a portcullis chained Sable, three lozenges conjoined Ermine.

See also

In Spanish: British Computer Society para niños