Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility for our membership grades is primarily based on Society-accredited academic qualifications and experience, or their non-UK equivalent.

Each membership grade has differing eligibility requirements; for further info please consult the relevant pages for each membership grade.

Please be aware that the information on each membership grade page provides a general guide to eligibility, it is not exhaustive.

We can only provide confirmation that you have the GBC if you’re a current Graduate member of the society.

If you’re not a member, to obtain confirmation of GBC from the society you’ll need to apply for Graduate membership so we can assess your qualification(s) and determine eligibility.

We don’t automatically accredit international qualifications; each one is assessed on an individual basis.

You will need to apply for Graduate membership and attach a copy of your official academic transcript (translated into English where appropriate) and the relevant payment.

To be eligible for Graduate Membership and the GBC we will assess that your qualification(s) meet all of the following:

1. From a recognised university institution

   The society uses the World Higher Education Database (WHED) as a reference for identifying a recognised university institution

2. At least 50% psychology

   Psychology modules/subjects must comprise at least half of those required for the qualification to be awarded.

3. Equivalent to at least a British Bachelors Second Class Honours Degree

   The society follows guidance from UK NARIC when assessing the standard of qualifications. UK NARIC provides comparability information for international qualifications with those in the UK.

4. Cover, with the required breadth and depth, the following eight core areas;

   - psychobiology
   - cognitive psychology
   - social psychology
   - developmental psychology
   - individual differences
   - conceptual and historical issues in psychology
   - research
   - coverage of a specialist/applied area

The GBC is a society standard in psychology. It demonstrates attainment of knowledge of core psychology subjects at a standard not less than a UK Bachelor Honours Lower Second Class Honours level.

The GBC provides a basis for progression to society-accredited postgraduate professional training in psychology for training to become a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol)

The society has a special case route whereby we can assess the eligibility for Graduate membership of those with qualifications not accredited by the BPS.

These are most likely to be UK qualifications but may also be a combination of non-UK and UK qualifications.

You will need to have a Bachelors level qualification plus a postgraduate qualification to at least a Masters level – both with significant psychology content.

As a general guide we will look to see that the qualifications you hold cover, at a standard not less than lower second class honours level, the core areas of psychology in sufficient breadth and depth as would be expected of a society-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology.

For information the core areas we look to be covered are:

• cognitive psychology
• psychobiology
• developmental psychology
• social psychology
• individual differences
• conceptual and historical issues
• research

If you would like us to assess your eligibility you can apply for Graduate membership where you’ll need to upload copies of transcripts for the qualifications you hold containing psychological study.

If you’re looking to register as a psychologist in the UK, the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) are the body responsible for statutory regulation.

Therefore you would need to apply to join their register if you wish to practice using one of their specialist titles, e.g. Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist.

The society doesn’t set employment criteria, this would be down to the individual employer and the requirements of the role advertised.

You may also find that society membership provides a useful platform to familiarise yourself with the practice of psychology in the UK as we offer a number of benefits and services within each of our membership grades.

Current Student members can complete the Graduate membership application process online.

You will not be charged an application fee.

Graduate members looking to upgrade should complete the relevant Chartered membership application form.

Members can find information, and download an application form from our Member Networks page.

If you’re applying for Graduate membership and would like to join one, or more, of the Member Networks you can add these as part of the application process, each network carries an additional fee.

If you’re applying for Chartered membership the application form enables you to join Member Networks at the relevant grade.

If you started your degree from 2006 onwards and have obtained a third Class, unfortunately you would not be eligible for the GBC and would need to undertake a conversion course.

Student membership is only available to those studying a society-accredited undergraduate degree or conversion course.

Instead you can apply to join at one of our Subscriber grades.

Our current rates of subscription and membership fees are as follows:

Core Subscription Fees

Non-Refundable Application Processing Fees (Payable On First Application)

Please note: 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

Yes, subscription reductions are available.

Postgraduate Members

If you are studying on 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 the year you expect to complete) so that we apply the reduction for the duration of your course.

Tel; +44 (0)1952214066

Email; [email protected]

Retired Members

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

If you are 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, as below

Tel; +44 (0)1952214066

Email; [email protected]

Special Circumstances

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

If you are unemployed we can reduce your main subscriptions fees to 26%.

Please inform us of your current circumstances, quoting your membership number, as below.

Tel +44 (0)116 252 9911

Email; [email protected]

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, just contact our team at [email protected] 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, contact our team at [email protected]

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 Department ([email protected]) with the date, amount and reference of the transaction.

Our membership runs on a 12 month cycle. You will be asked to renew your membership with us every 12 months from the date you first joined.

If you pay for your membership by Direct Debit, your membership will automatically renew every 12 months from the date you first joined.

The Inland Revenue has agreed to allow tax relief on all membership subscription fees, including division, section, special group and journal payments.

Below is an extract from the Inland Revenue to the Marketing and Promotions Officer dated 4 March 2004:

'Approval under Section 18 Finance Act 1958 (now Section 344 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003) was granted to the Society in 1959. This means that members may claim tax relief for their annual membership subscriptions (core subscription). It has been decided that this approval should be extended to include any additional annual subscription for membership of a division, section or special group. The extension also includes any additional subscription paid by members for any of the Society's publications.'

To claim, you should either list these payments in your annual tax return or write to your tax office with details of the total amounts paid, what they were and your membership number.

Your tax code will be adjusted accordingly.

For more information on how to claim, contact our Subscriptions Department:

Tel: +44(0)195 221 4066

Email: [email protected]

Where subscriptions remain unpaid we will remove individuals from membership until payment is received.

We operate a no refund policy.

All application processing fees are non-refundable.