Member networks
Did you know you can join over 100 specialist BPS networks, tailor-made to suit you?
Which network is right for you?
Our tool will help you find outDivisions
After becoming a member of the society you will be able to join one of our 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.
Our current divisions are:
- The Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology
- The Division of Clinical Psychology
- The Division of Coaching Psychology
- The Division of Counselling Psychology
- The Division of Educational and Child Psychology
- The Division of Forensic Psychology
- The Division of Health Psychology
- The Division of Neuropsychology
- The Division of Occupational Psychology
- The Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology
- The Scottish Division of Educational Psychology
Membership criteria
Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology (DSEP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DSEP new applicants must have either:
- Completed an accredited MSc in Sport & Exercise Psychology followed by the Qualification in Sport & Exercise Psychology (Stage 2)
- OR, completed a society-accredited Doctorate in Sport & Exercise Psychology
- OR, completed of a non-accredited research PhD identifiable as being based in Sport & Exercise Psychology post-GBC
Scottish Division of Educational Psychology (SDEP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the SDEP new applicants must have completed an accredited MSc in Educational Psychology at a Scottish university, followed by the Qualification in Educational Psychology (Scotland).
Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology (DARTP)
There are several routes to Full membership of the DARTP, which must be assessed and verified through application and include:
- Completion of a non-accredited research PhD identifiable as being based in psychology post-GBC
- A minimum of five years' experience as a teacher of psychology post-GBC
- Considerable, identifiable experience as a researcher in psychology post-GBC
- Completion of a non-accredited research PhD identifiable as being based in psychology, followed by a minimum of five years' experience working in a university psychology department (GBC not required)
Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DCP new applicants must have completed a society-accredited Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy).
Division of Counselling Psychology (DCoP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DCOP new applicants must have either:
- Completed a society-accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
- OR, completed the Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCOP)
Division of Educational Psychology (DECP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DECP new applicants must have completed a society accredited Doctorate in Educational Psychology.
Division of Forensic Psychology (DFP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DFP new applicants must have either:
- Completed an accredited MSc in Forensic Psychology followed by the Qualification in Forensic Psychology (Stage 2)
- OR, completed a society-accredited Doctorate in Forensic Psychology
Division of Health Psychology (DHP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DHP new applicants must have either:
- Completed an accredited MSc in Health Psychology followed by the Qualification in Health Psychology (Stage 2)
- OR, completed a society-accredited Doctorate in Health Psychology
- OR, completed of a non-accredited research PhD identifiable as being based in Health Psychology post-GBC
Division of Neuropsychology (DoN)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DON new applicants must have either:
- Gained HCPC Registration as a Clinical or Educational Psychologist & completed the Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology - QiCN (this route allows Members to join the SRCN)
- OR, qualified as a Chartered Psychologist and subsequently gained a minimum of two years' experience working in the field of neuropsychology
Division of Occupational Psychology (DOP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DOP new applicants must have either:
- Completed an accredited MSc in Occupational Psychology followed by the Qualification in Occupational Psychology (Stage 2)
- OR, completed of a non-accredited research PhD identifiable as being based in Occupational Psychology post-GBC
In-Training Divisional Membership
Any psychologists enrolled on one of the accredited-training routes noted above are eligible for In-training membership of that particular Division (excluding DON & DARTP).
Any psychologist undertaking a research PhD in psychology can apply for in-training membership of the DARTP.
There is no in-training membership grade in the DON.
Division of Coaching Psychology (DoCP)
To be eligible for Full Membership of the DoCP new applicants must have either:
- Completed an accredited MSc in Coaching Psychology followed by Stage 2 training to be confirmed (e.g. Society Qualification).
- Demonstrated alignment with the Level 8 Standards in Coaching Psychology through the peer review route, the Accelerated Route or the Professional Recognition route (further details on the DoCP web pages) post-GBC.
- OR, completed of a non-accredited research PhD identifiable as being based in Coaching Psychology post-GBC.
Sections
Once you have become a member you will then be eligible to join one of our sections.
The focus of these sections is on supporting the specialised scientific interests of our members and providing a forum through which they can exchange ideas and promote their research.
Our sections include:
- Cognitive Psychology Section
- Community Psychology Section
- Consciousness and Experiential Psychology Section
- Crisis, Disaster and Trauma Psychology Section
- Cyberpsychology Section
- Defence and Security Psychology Section
- Developmental Psychology Section
- Environmental Psychology Section
- Historical, Philosophical and Theoretical Psychology Section
- Male Psychology Section
- Mathematical, Statistical and Computing Psychology Section
- Political Psychology Section
- Psychobiology Section
- Psychology of Education Section
- Psychology of Sexualities Section
- Psychology of Women and Equalities Section
- Psychotherapy Section
- Qualitative Methods in Psychology Section
- Social Psychology Section
- Transpersonal Psychology Section
Branches
The branches of the BPS are divided geographically and are designed to help our members to meet up and share/exchange ideas with other psychologists from the same area.
You are automatically allocated membership to your local branch as soon as you become a member of the society.
Our current branches are:
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.
Our currently active special groups are:
Join a member network
Our networks allow our members to communicate and collaborate with like-minded people in various scientific, professional, regional and special interest groups.
- Apply to join a member network (students, affiliates, e-subscribers)
- Apply to join a member network (graduate, chartered, and in-training members)
- Apply to join the Faculty of Primary Care
Which member network is right for you?
Member network futures
The Member Network Review is looking at the role of networks in the society and ensuring they work in the best way for members and reflect a modern and changing society.
Where are we with the review?
Work has been progressing on the review and we are on track to make significant progress in 2024.
Pilot groups are now in progress for events and communications and the process for accessing reserves for networks is much easier and accessible.
The outcomes of the review of the member network operating model have been incorporated into the project and we're now asking members to pilot potential solutions to the challenges faced to help us implement faster and more effective solutions.
The journey so far
Since the start of this project, we've worked with members to move the project forward, so we are in a place where our member networks fit in a modern and impactful BPS.
What next?
2024 is the year of change and implementation for the Member Networks Futures project.
We want to remove a lot of the barriers and bureaucracy within the member network 'rules' making it easier for people to volunteer and sit on committees.
We want to make running events easier, and to give members more flexibility in how and when they communicate with their members to help promote a thriving community.
We're going to do this by working closely with our members, piloting different solutions and reacting and adapting to change and what our members want.
The Steering Group
The steering group is made up of Senate members, trustees and BPS staff.
Each member who sits on the steering group will have a vote, with the chair having the casting vote. Any strategic governance decisions, for example, changes to the rules, will always need to the Board trustees for consideration and agreement.
- Carol McGuinness - Trustee, Chair
- Sarb Bajwa -Chief Executive
- Debra Malpass - Director of Research, Education and Practice
- Rachel Dufton - Director of Communications and Engagement
- Mike Laffan - Director of IT
- Diane Ashby – Deputy CEO
- James Sarson – Head of Member Networks and Events
- Vicki Smith - Project Manager
- Roman Raczka - Trustee
- Elizabeth Bates - Section Senate Member
- Linda Kaye - Section Senate Member
- Mia Pal - Branch Senate Member
- Zenobia Nadirshaw - Special Group Senate Member
- Nicky Hayes - Trustee
- Natalie Lancer – Trustee
- Patrick Rosenkranz – Division Senate Member
- Sharon Davis – Branch Senate Member
- Ingram Wright – Division Senate Member
Frequently asked questions
How will this review affect me?
The review will mean member networks can provide a more rewarding and positive experience for all members, making them more inclusive, flexible and engaging.
For those on committees within networks there will be changes which will be communicated directly with those members, with members also involved at every stage of the decision making.
Will the cost of membership change?
Every year the board of trustees reviews the membership pricing structure to ensure it is sustainable and that our membership fees are simple and fair and provide value for money, no matter what network you are a member of. This will remain the same process.
Are the member networks involved in the review?
The member networks are actively involved in this review. The team engaged with networks and conducted interviews including with trustees and network chairs. There were also focus groups, forums and a reference group, which included both members and staff.
How long will it take to implement the changes?
This is a major project, and the scope of the recommendations is wide, so change won't happen overnight. We are looking to address the most urgent issues first, but we want to reassure you that progress is happening.