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Enhance your membership

There are several ways you can further enhance your membership, including becoming a recognised Fellow or Associate Fellow, or by joining one of our many member networks and divisions.

Get even more from your BPS membership

Join a Member Network

Our member networks are divided up into the following sub-categories:

Branches

The branches of the BPS are divided geographically and are designed to help our members to meet up and share ideas with other psychologists from the same area.

Divisions

These exist to help our members to further their professional interest, through training and practice, and to help develop psychology both as a profession and as a body of knowledge.

Faculties

Specialist areas within existing divisions.

Sections

These are designed to support the specialised scientific interests of our members and providing a forum through which they can exchange ideas and promote their research.

Special Groups

Our special groups provide a forum for members working in particular specialist fields, with a particular focus on training, practice, and professional development.

Find out more about our various Member Networks

Become a Fellow (FBPsS)

A Fellowship is recognition of significant contribution to the advancement or communication of psychological knowledge or practice either by research, teaching, publications or public service, or by organising and developing the work of others.

It's the highest title a member can apply for.

The society encourages applications from members who work within all settings including the NHS, prison services, social care, education, business, sport those who work in independent practice settings or within academic institutions.

The society believes the title should be attainable by members across all areas of the discipline and the revised guidance and application information, which sets out the criteria for the award, also provides examples of who may be eligible. 

Eligibility

To be awarded the status as a Fellow of the society, you will:

  1. Either be an Associate Fellow or can satisfy the Board of Trustees that you possess the requirements for Associate Fellowship; and
  2. Satisfy the Board of Trustees that you have the following additional qualifications:
  • Been engaged in work of a psychological nature (other than undergraduate training) for a total period of at least 10 years; and
  • Possess an advanced knowledge of psychology in at least one of its fields; and
  • Made an outstanding contribution to the advancement or dissemination of psychological knowledge or practice either by your own research, teaching, publications or public service, or by organising and developing the work of others.

Benefits

As a Fellow you can:

  • Use the title FBPsS - this is the highest designation the society can bestow, showing your significant contribution and understanding of the discipline

Subscription fees and payment methods

The Fellowship application fee is £61.

Further information about our schedule of fees and payment methods can be found in our FAQs.

Apply or nominate

You can apply, be nominated or nominate another member to become a Fellow of the society.

The criteria required is provided in our application or nomination for a society Fellowship document below:

Download an application/nomination form

To apply, download the application form and send it along with all the essential materials to:

The British Psychological Society,
St Andrews House,
48 Princess Road East,
Leicester LE1 7DR

If you have any further queries, please email the Membership team.

Become an Associate Fellow (AFBPsS)

The title Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS) is awarded in recognition of several years' experience and contribution to the field of psychology.

Download an application form

Eligibility 

You may apply for this title if you've satisfied one of the following conditions since first becoming eligible for graduate membership:

  1. Achieved eligibility for full membership of one of the society's divisions and been successfully engaged in the professional application of a specialised knowledge of psychology for an aggregate of at least two calendar years full-time (or its part-time equivalent)
  2. Possess a research qualification in psychology and been engaged in the application, discovery, development or dissemination of psychological knowledge or practice for an aggregate of at least four years full time (or its part time equivalent)
  3. Published psychological works or exercised specialised psychological knowledge of a standard not less than in 1 or 2 above

You must normally be engaged in work of a psychological nature at the time of your application.

Benefits

As an Associate Fellow you can:

  • Use the AFBPsS title. This is a mark of experience, competence and reputation of psychological knowledge through the field

Subscription fees and payment methods

Our schedule of fees and payment methods can be found in our FAQs.

Process
  • For this grade, certificates are not required as the main eligibility criteria are based on time spent working in psychology.

Application form

To apply, please upload a completed application form to Hightail.

Download an application form

Science Council

The society is able to award the following designations on behalf of the Science Council.

  • Chartered Scientist (Csci)
  • Registered Scientist (RSci)
  • Registered Technician Scientist (RSCi Tech)

This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your work as a scientist in psychology!

By joining one of our Science Council registers, you will be recognised in your knowledge and experience alongside any qualifications you may have.

It captures on-the-job experience and shows the level of competence you have as a practising scientist.

It also demonstrates your commitment to integrity, regard for public interest and responsibility for others.

Once awarded one of these designations, there's an annual membership fee, being £75 for CSci and £35 for RSCi & RSCi Tech.

Key Benefits

  • Increase your confidence and skill
  • Demonstrate your ethical credentials
  • Improve your chances of promotion
  • Become a leader within your field
  • Join a worldwide community of cross-disciplinary scientists         

For full details on the benefits of registration, visit the Science Council website.

You can also read Dr Amanda Potter's interview, where she speaks about how having Chartered Scientist status has had a positive impact on her career. 

Which register is right for you?

Below states the difference for each of the designations:

  • CSci Chartered Scientist represents a single chartered mark for all scientists, recognising the highest levels of professionalism and competence in science independent of discipline.
  • RSci Registered Scientist not only provides recognition for those in scientific and higher technician roles as professionals in their own field, but can also be a springboard to recognition as a Chartered Scientist. This award provides a means of demonstrating a level of experience and professionalism without having reached Chartered level, and would be of particular benefit to Graduate Members working in psychology-based careers.
  • RSciTech Registered Science Technician recognises science technicians as professionals, delivering the skilled technical support our increasingly complex infrastructure requires. Applicants for this award need only be at least an Affiliate subscriber to the society, and currently working as a technician in a psychology-based role.

Registrants on all of the above registers must remain professionally active. The term professionally active is used to indicate that an individual is performing a role that requires them to keep their knowledge and competence up to date. It doesn't need to be full-time or paid work and so members who are notionally returned but engaged in volunteering, outreach or consultancy, for example, should consider themselves as professionally active and undertake relevant CPD.

How do I join the register?

To join one of the registers you will need to submit an application to our Assessment and Awards Team:

Submit an application form here (Science Council)

This application form will ask you which award you are applying for, along with various other details and your next stages.

For further information about these awards contact the Assessment and Awards Team.

EuroPsy

What is EuroPsy?

EuroPsy is the abbreviation for the EFPA trademarked title of Registered European psychologist, and represents a European benchmark standard of psychology knowledge and skills.

It doesn't confer a licence to practise but can help to facilitate the mobility of qualified professionals across Europe.

What does EuroPsy offer?

In gaining the award you'll receive certification from EFPA as well as being entered on to the EuroPsy Register.

Find out what EuroPsy can offer you

More general information and details around the award can be found on the EFPA website.

What are the criteria to apply in the UK?

To apply for the EuroPsy award through the society, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. completed an HCPC approved programme that leads to eligibility to register as a Practitioner Psychologist
  2. completed five years academic study in total plus one year supervised practice
  3. be current in your practice
  4. have no sanctions against you from the HCPC or the BPS

EuroPsy is a practitioner award and therefore we cannot offer this to those individuals who are not eligible for HCPC registration.

How much will it cost?

BPS members can get EuroPsy registration free of charge, provided that they meet one of the criteria noted above.

Applications from non-members will be subject to a fee of £415.

All applications from non-members will also be subject to individual assessment and consideration by the BPS National Awarding Committee (NAC) for EuroPsy.

Transcripts of all of your degree qualifications, details of employment history and any professional registrations that you hold would also need to be provided alongside your completed application form.

In applying on this route NAC may also require additional evidence determined at their discretion in order to confirm that you meet the EuroPsy and EFPA regulations in full.

How to apply

To apply, you must complete the EuroPsy application form.

This requires you to outline qualifications, experience and supervision relevant to your application.

Download the EuroPsy application form

Once completed, please email your application to EuroPsy.

Please note: applications can take up to 6 weeks to process.

Frequently asked questions
  • How can I upgrade my membership?

    Current Student members can complete the Graduate membership application process online. Graduate members looking to upgrade should complete the relevant Chartered membership application form.

    You won't be charged an application fee for upgrading from Student to Graduate membership.

    Apply to upgrade to Graduate membership

    Apply to upgrade to Chartered membership

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please contact the Membership Enquiries Team

     

  • I'm a current member, how do I change my address or contact details?

    You can amend your address and contact easily in your account.

    Simply log in to your Portal account and go to 'Personal details' to update your details.

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please contact the Membership Enquiries Team

     

  • How much is society membership?

    Find out more information about our membership fees.

    Our 2024 subscription and membership fees for new joiners are as follows.

    Current members due to renew from January should have already received notification of their subscription fees for 2024.

    Core subscription fees

    Chartered members / Fellows / Associate Fellows: £163.44

    Graduate members: £163.44

    Two reductions are available to Graduate members:

    1. If you graduated within the last five years from the qualification giving eligibility for Graduate membership: £81.72
    2. If you are a current postgraduate student or enrolled on a society qualification: £42.48

    Student members: £31.68

    Affiliates: £122.04

    e-subscribers: £14.52

    Non-refundable application processing fees (payable On First Application)

    All non-refundable application fee payments are subject to a 6 month time limit, in which all requirements for your application should be submitted. If you have not provided all of the requirements for your application, or have not continued with your application after such time, you will be required to pay the non-refundable application fee again.

    Chartered Members (non-members): £91

    Chartered Members (Graduate Members upgrading): £45

    Fellows: £61

    Associate Fellows: £45

    Graduate Members: £46

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please contact [email protected]

  • Do you offer any reduction in subscription?

    Yes, subscription reductions are available.

    Postgraduate members

    If you're studying a postgraduate course or are enrolled on a society qualification, we can reduce your main membership to 26%.

    Please contact us providing your membership number, full course details (including your expected completion year) so that we apply the reduction for the duration of your course.

    Retired members

    If you're retired and have been a society member for less than 30 years, you will receive a 50% reduction on your main fees.

    If you're retired and have been a member for more than 30 years, you will be exempt from all subscription fees.

    Please advise us, quoting your membership number, using the contact detail at the end of this page.

    Special circumstances

    If you're unable to pay the full fee due to special circumstances i.e., you're on maternity leave/carers leave, we can offer a 50% reduction on your main subscription.

    If you're unemployed, we can reduce your main subscription fees to 26%.

    Please inform us about your current circumstances, quoting your membership number.

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please email [email protected].

     

  • Which payment methods are available when renewing my subscription?

    You can pay via a number of ways for your subscription.

    Online

    You can pay via our secure online payment facility by signing in to your online account, then go to 'Memberships and subscriptions' to pay.

    To pay online, you’ll need to set up your account. You should have already received an email from us containing your unique link and instructions on how to create an account.

    If you can’t find this email, don’t worry, contact the Customer Service Team and they’ll be able to assist you.

    Phone

    You can pay quickly and easily, by debit or credit card (we do not accept AMEX), over the telephone 24 hours a day by calling our automated phone service on +44 (0) 1302 897018.

    Remember, you’ll need your membership number to hand when you call.

    Direct Debit (UK bank accounts only)

    Direct Debit is one of the safest and most convenient ways of paying your membership fees.

    Payments are automatically taken each year, so bills are never forgotten, and there's no risk of your membership lapsing.

    You can set up a Direct Debit by logging in to your online account

    For help setting up your online account, please get in touch with the Customer Service Team.

    Bank transfer

    You can pay by bank transfer using the following details:

    Royal Bank of Scotland
    Account Number: 11226510
    Sort Code: 16-23-21
    Branch: Leicester Market Street
    Swift Code: RBOS GB 2LIBAN Number: GB09 RBOS 16232111226510

    If you do transfer money into the society’s account, please make sure that you inform our Subscriptions team with the date, amount and reference of the transaction.