Suitable for:
Inspirational technology leaders, innovators and academics.
Cost:
One-off application fee: £210 (assessment route) / £560 (interview route)
Annual subscription: £252
About our reduced fees
How to become a BCS Fellow
1. Compile evidence of your achievements
You need to evidence your achievements and impact in the industry against a selection of criteria. Read the full criteria in our FBCS application guidance (or FBCS guidance for organisational members) which also explains how to set out your written evidence statements effectively.
2. Identify a supporter
You require a supporter who’s either an existing Fellow, of BCS or another professional body, or someone you work with. They’ll be asked to verify that you’re ready for Fellowship and to confirm the accuracy of your application evidence. Please speak to them in advance to check they’re happy to support you—we recommend sharing this Fellow supporter guidance with them so they understand what’s required of them.
3. Complete the application form
Complete the Fellowship application form with your evidence statements and supporter details. You’ll also need to attach your CV or LinkedIn profile demonstrating at least five years’ experience within the scope of the IT profession.
If you belong to a BCS organisational membership (OM) scheme, you’ll need to complete the OM Fellowship application form.
4. Submit your application
Once your application form is ready, it’s time to apply for Fellowship!
Need support to get application ready?
Download our Fellowship application guidance
Why become a BCS Fellow
You want to be seen as the Leader you are
Technology extends its reach across society every day. As a leader in your field, you’re facing increasingly complex challenges and your influence and responsibility has never been more significant. With FBCS after your name you can show the world your leadership credentials.
You want to connect with brilliant big thinkers
BCS Fellowship provides you with a welcome forum to discuss issues, ideas and approaches with people who understand the pressures of tech accountability. It’s where CIOs, CTOs, IT directors, academics and other IT leaders, in the tech industry and beyond, can come together in an impartial setting for non-commercial networking, problem solving and conversation.
You want to give back to the industry
As a BCS Fellow, you’ll receive the recognition you’ve earned as a pioneer of the modern profession. You’ll have a platform for extending your influence as a thought leader and for giving back to the industry with opportunities for policy formation, education, public engagement and more.
Even more benefits...
Get high recognition
Enjoy industrywide recognition, with the letters FBCS after your name and your place on the public BCS Fellowship register.
Shape tech policy
Share your views and wisdom at our policy forums and in our government lobbying to help steer the ethical direction of the industry.
Share your expertise
Impart your knowledge and inspire others as a speaker or panellist at a BCS event or webinar, and by contributing written content to bcs.org.
Become an assessor
Support your peers’ professional development and help to increase and promote standards of competence throughout our industry.
Meet our Fellows
FAQs
How do I know if Fellowship is right for me?
Wherever you are in your career, if you can show that you’ve made or are making a significant contribution in the field of IT and digital, then it’s likely you’re ready for Fellowship.
The application criteria provide broad scope for demonstrating your impact, in categories ranging from invention and innovation to skills development, sustainability to inspiring others. Explore all the sub-criteria in this application guidance which also walks you through the best way to present your evidence.
Still unsure if you’re FBCS material? Why not match up with a Fellowship mentor with whom you can discuss your career experience and how to approach your application.
What's the difference between FBCS and CITP status?
FBCS is a level of membership, while Chartered IT Professional (CITP) is an industry registration.
You can become a BCS Fellow member if you can demonstrate that you’ve made a significant impact in the digital sector during your career.
To become CITP registered, you’ll need to evidence the technical expertise, professional competence and knowledge that you apply in your role every day. You’ll also need to be a BCS member at Professional or Fellow grade.
Many Fellows are also CITP registered.
If my application is unsuccessful, do I get a refund?
Following assessment, if your application to Fellowship is unsuccessful or if you withdraw your application, you won’t receive a refund for the application fee.
What’s the difference between the assessor application route and the interview application route?
f you choose the assessor route, your written application is reviewed by BCS assessors and you may be asked to submit additional evidence by email. You won’t meet with an assessor, and you’ll receive your outcome after 16+ weeks.
If you choose the interview route, you’ll still submit a written application, but you’ll also have the opportunity to discuss your application in detail with a BCS assessor during an interview. Your overall assessment timeframe remains 16+ weeks, but the interview gives you a chance to expand on your evidence directly.
What are the changes to Fellowship applications from 1st October?
We're evolving how Fellowship applications are assessed to deliver a more consistent, high-quality experience. As part of this, the paper-based application route will close on 1 October 2026, after which all applications will be assessed through the interview route.
Key Dates
- Now to 30 September 2026 – Paper-based applications remain open at the current fee of £210
- From 1 October 2026 – All applicants follow a single interview-based route
Pricing
To support applicants through the transition, fees will be introduced gradually:
- 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026: £350 (introductory rate)
- 1 Jan – 31 Mar 2027: £450 (standard transition rate)
- From 1 April 2027: £560 (full fee)
Why are we making this change?
A single application route lets us ensure consistent assessment standards, a fair experience for all applicants, and faster processing times.
What does this mean for you?
If you'd like to apply via the paper route, you'll need to do so before 1 October. After that, all applicants follow the same interview-based process. Applying earlier in the transition period means you benefit from a lower fee.
Please be aware that application volumes may increase ahead of the October deadline. We'll process all applications as efficiently as possible and appreciate your patience.
Need help? Contact the BCS team
Not ready to join just yet?
Connect with BCS and gain access to free CPD content, ways to get involved with our global tech community and info on BCS as your career partner. You'll receive a series of four emails and an exclusive supporter newsletter jampacked with all this and more.
