Hello all,

Yesterday I was asked to join the BCS for just £40 while I'm at Uni.

Linky: Home : BCS

Any members on here with any advice? Is it worth it? What costs will I be looking at once I have finished my course?

Many thanks,

Rob

I would think if it is the industry body membership would be free while you are a student, you will be an affiliate member. I was a free member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers and the Institute of Water and Environmental Management. Dont think they should be asking for money from you, maybe your uni.

You mean the "British Computer Society"? Unlike the ICE, ISE and IWEM (qv) you don't have to be a member to practice the profession(s) in question, so they can charge a fee for affiliate (student) membership.

The main advantage is that, if you're planning on living in the area you're studying in post graduation, you'll be a "known face", which might make getting a trainee post easier, and probably will make obtaining MBCS, Certified IT Practicioner, and eventually CEng or IEng registration easier.

Im a member of this i think... from when i did ITIL

I am a member and just in the process of applying for Chartered Status (CITP) through it. Currently a normal member which costs £80/year (but work pay!)

Sorry. Just to confirm then it's the "British Computer Society".

I found it odd - with being a student and all that they could ask for money. I was just trying to get an idea for advantages over others.

I'm in Bournemouth at the moment. I will be looking to do my placement around (Up or Down) the M4. This will mean that potentially - I can live at home and save some money. (This all dependant on petrol costs)

Thanks for all your input guys.

Sure I used to have free membership when I was a student. I did a computer science at Portsmouth uni and that was a BCS approved course so that helped.

I'm sure I didn't, but it was a long time ago, and I think I took an optional journal (now defunct anyway).

Mine was free membership while I was a student, but once I graduated I think I had to pay. Well in my case, DERA paid :-)

Sure I used to have free membership when I was a student. I did a computer science at Portsmouth uni and that was a BCS approved course so that helped.

The course that I'm doing is BCS approved and is Software Engineering.

I asked today about them paying for it. It turns out that all we get is the reduced % so £40 it is.

I'm a member, I'd say it depends on who you are and how good your local group is.

The magazines tend to have a good read in them, if not on the odd occasion ahead of the curve on some topics. Local groups hold talks which can be of interest; I have to say that as I half offered to do a talk last night at another one.

One could argue being in the professional body stands for something, but like a degree I think what you can do counts for more than letters. But it does show an element of commitment to the cause and practices of sound computing. Thou shalt not generate rubbish basically.

There are some other benefits, the exact details I cannot recall but some legal services, helpline, qualification planning, discounts on insurance etc.

HTH

I thought the insurance discounts were all on things like "professional liability insurances", which I can see being of interest if you do freelancing, but surely not to a student?

I doubt there are many benefits to you as a student.

There are a few people at work who are members but again I don't know of any tangible benefit other than you can put MBCS after your name.

I doubt there are many benefits to you as a student.

There are a few people at work who are members but again I don't know of any tangible benefit other than you can put MBCS after your name.

Tend to agree with this and I couldn't justify the cost each year as there were little or no benefits for me. If it's free, take it, otherwise I personally wouldn't bother

Chris