Bcs -

Robshaw · 07-10-2008, 07:44

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

snownrock · 07-10-2008, 08:20

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.

KenONeill · 07-10-2008, 13:24

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.

***Neo_VR*** · 07-10-2008, 14:17

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

mbames · 07-10-2008, 16:26

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!)

Robshaw · 07-10-2008, 18:37

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.

mbames · 07-10-2008, 20:06

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.

KenONeill · 07-10-2008, 20:25

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

mbames · 07-10-2008, 20:26

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 :-)

Robshaw · 08-10-2008, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbames

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.

***ColinD*** · 08-10-2008, 10:58

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

KenONeill · 08-10-2008, 11:26

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?

Aspman · 08-10-2008, 12:33

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.

ScoobyChris · 08-10-2008, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aspman

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

07-10-2008, 07:44	#1
Robshaw .:Robbo:. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Swindon or Bournemouth Posts: 2,417 Members Car: A Clio 1.2 16v Thanks: 215 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts	Bcs - 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 __________________ Current: Renault Clio 1.2 16v Dynamic Sold: Honda Civic Type R Skoda Fabia vRS

07-10-2008, 08:20	#2
snownrock Woof! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: From Leeds, Live in Swansea Posts: 778 Members Car: 2008 Fabia3 1.9Tdi Estate Thanks: 48 Thanked 36 Times in 36 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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. __________________ Mine: Brilliant Silver 08/58 Fabia3 1.9TDi Estate SWMBO's: White 00/W Fabia 1.4MPi Classic Hatch Something for the weekend: Giant XTC 4.5 Hardtail / GT LTS 4000 XC & Afan Argoed Tom, BriSkodas youngest Fabia II Estate Owner

07-10-2008, 13:24	#3
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 11,250 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 65 Thanked 562 Times in 550 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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.

07-10-2008, 14:17	#4
*Neo_VR* Om nom nom nom Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 12,484 Members Car: A White Car Thanks: 79 Thanked 176 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Bcs - Im a member of this i think... from when i did ITIL __________________ ColGod the UberMod ,___, [O.o] /)__) -"--"- ORLY??

07-10-2008, 16:26	#5
mbames Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Weymouth, Dorset Posts: 1,620 Members Car: Octavia 2001, 110TDi Elegance estate Thanks: 0 Thanked 71 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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!)

07-10-2008, 18:37	#6
Robshaw .:Robbo:. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Swindon or Bournemouth Posts: 2,417 Members Car: A Clio 1.2 16v Thanks: 215 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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. __________________ Current: Renault Clio 1.2 16v Dynamic Sold: Honda Civic Type R Skoda Fabia vRS

07-10-2008, 20:06	#7
mbames Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Weymouth, Dorset Posts: 1,620 Members Car: Octavia 2001, 110TDi Elegance estate Thanks: 0 Thanked 71 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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.

07-10-2008, 20:25	#8
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 11,250 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 65 Thanked 562 Times in 550 Posts	Re: Bcs - I'm sure I didn't, but it was a long time ago, and I think I took an optional journal (now defunct anyway).

07-10-2008, 20:26	#9
mbames Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Weymouth, Dorset Posts: 1,620 Members Car: Octavia 2001, 110TDi Elegance estate Thanks: 0 Thanked 71 Times in 63 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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 :-)

08-10-2008, 10:58	#11
*ColinD* Site owner Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hill & Mountains of North Wales Posts: 10,315 Members Car: Roomster Scout Images: 3 Thanks: 29 Thanked 174 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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 __________________ ColinD 1.9 Scout Roomster - Standard www.BRISKODA.net :: Site Owner E-Mail : webmaster at briskoda dot net Got a comment to make about the site? Please feel free to use the feedback form here, we welcome your views.

08-10-2008, 11:26	#12
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 11,250 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 65 Thanked 562 Times in 550 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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?

08-10-2008, 12:33	#13
Aspman Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,060 Members Car: Octavia VRS TFSI Thanks: 10 Thanked 61 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Bcs - 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. __________________ The TazZone Forums

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