Professional Bodies in the UK
There are many professional bodies in the UK that accredit courses, this means that when a student completes an accredited course from the University they will be given membership or accreditation (recognition) by the professional body. Generally, accreditation of a course is given for a certain period of time and then needs to be renewed.
Listed below are some of the popular professional bodies in the UK.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
ACCA is the largest and fastest growing international accountancy body, with over 300,000 students and members in 160 countries. ACCA has an extensive network of over 70 staffed offices and other centres around the world.
ACCA is a professional accounting body that has its own exams, which are usually in 3 to 4 stages. To become a chartered accountant a student has to have completed 2 years training in an accountancy firm and have passed all the exams in each stage. Generally most undergraduate accounting degrees will carry some exemption from the ACCA exams but it is not likely to be more than the first 2 stages. Within each stage there are a set of different
papers.
ACCA Home Page
The Bar Council
The Bar Council is the regulatory and representative body for barristers in England and Wales. It deals with the qualification and conduct rules governing barristers and those wishing to become barristers. It deals with complaints against barristers. It also puts the Bar's view on matters of concern about the legal system and acts as a source of information about the Bar.
The General Council of the Bar (known as the Bar Council) was founded in 1894 to represent the interests of barristers. It functions as the governing body, include laying down and implementing policies affecting the Bar on Education and Training, rules of conduct particularly with regard to rights of audience as required under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 and the Access to Justice Act. In addition it acts as the representative body of the Bar and deals with all aspects of barristers work.
The Bar Council Home Page
The British Computer Society (BCS)
BCS is the only Chartered Engineering Institution for Information Technology (IT). With members in over 100 countries around the world, the BCS is the leading professional and learned Society in the field of computers and information systems.
The BCS is an Engineering Institution, fully licensed by the Engineering Council to nominate Chartered and Incorporated Engineers and to accredit university courses and training schemes. The BCS was formed to establish and maintain appropriate standards of education and experience for persons engaged in the profession or practice of IT and Computing or those entering courses of study in Computing and allied subjects.
The BCS seeks to undertake, supervise or encourage education and training in all matters relevant to the advancement of IT and Computing, particularly of people, currently or likely to get, engaged in the practice of IT; it also pays due regard to the provision of IT related instruction by other
organisations.
BCS Home Page
The British Dental Association (BDA)
BDA is the professional association and trade union for dentists in the UK with over 18,000 qualified members and over 3,500 student members. The BDA develops policies to represent dentists working in every sphere, from general practice, through community and hospital settings, to universities and the armed forces.
The BDA aims to get the best for its members, both in terms of practical help through services and products, by ensuring it is a national player in the development of healthcare policy. It provides its members with legal, health, safety and educational advice as well as influencing government policy in each of the UK's four nations.
BDA Home Page
The British Medical Association (BMA)
The BMA, the voice of the profession, represents all doctors from all branches of medicine all over the UK. About 80% of practising doctors are members the 1,27,000 membership includes 13,000 medical students and nearly 4,000 members overseas.
The BMA puts the democratically reached views to national administrations and many other influential bodies. They are an independent trade union, officially recognised by the government and the pay review bodies, for negotiation on doctors' pay and conditions.
BMA Home Page
The British Psychological Society (BPS)
With over 36,000 members, BPS is the representative body for psychologist and psychology in the UK. By its Royal Charter the Society is charged with national responsibility for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good. The main objectives of this society are: To encourage the development of psychology as a scientific discipline and an applied profession; To raise standards of training and practice in the application of psychology; To raise public awareness of psychology and increase the influence of psychological practice in society.
BPS Home Page
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
CIOB is the leading professional body worldwide for managers in construction. For almost 170 years the Institute has pioneered the way in establishing, promoting and maintaining standards of excellence in the construction industry, and now sets the pace on a global scale for the education and professionalism of those who manage the construction of the built environment. The CIOB education framework takes full account of national commitments to lifelong learning programmes and vocational training which now provide alternatives to the more traditional degree level route to membership.
In the increasingly complex and challenging world of construction, only the best people will be able to deliver the performance necessary for success time after time. Chartered Builders are both highly qualified and experienced - the proof is in the letters MCIOB after their names.
Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB) is an accolade which tells the world that its bearers are professionals in the field of construction management. These corporate members have earned the right to call themselves Chartered Builders, a title which puts them on par with other construction professionals like architects, engineers and surveyors.
CIOB Home Page
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
CIEH is an independent professional body and registered charity representing those who work in environmental health and related disciplines. Our primary function is the promotion of knowledge and understanding of environmental health issues. It is an educational body, dedicated to the promotion of environmental health and to encourage the highest possible standards in the training and the work of environmental health professionals.
The CIEH has approximately 9,800 members worldwide, the majority being located in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As well as providing services and information to its members, the CIEH also advises government departments on environmental health and is consulted by them on proposed legislation relevant to the work of environmental health professionals.
CIEH Home Page
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
These professional accounting bodies have their own exams, which are usually in 3 to 4 stages. To become a chartered accountant a student has to have completed 2 years training in an accountancy firm and have passed all the exams in each stage. Generally most undergraduate accounting degrees will carry some exemption from the CIMA or ACCA exams but it is not likely to be more than the first 2 stages. Within each stage there are a set of different
papers.
CIMA represents financial managers and accountants who work in industry, commerce, not-for-profit and public sector organisations. The key activities are related to Business Strategy, Information Strategy and Finance Strategy. CIMA members are not trained in audit. CIMA's focus is to qualify students, support members and employers, and protect the public interest. CIMA represents the voice of over 77,000 students and 60,000 members in 155 countries.
CIMA Home Page
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
CIM is a professional body that offers membership for marketing professionals who have passed their 4 stages of exams. These exams can be studied for and sat independently. However, most postgraduate marketing courses and some MBA courses will carry exemption from some of the stages of the Chartered Institute of Marketing � usually the first 2 stages. On passing all 4 stages the student can put MCIM after their name.
CIM Home Page
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Students who wish to work in Human Resource Management or Human Resource Development should study a postgraduate course which has been
accredited by the Institute of Personnel and Development (IPD). Students who attend an accredited course are then exempt from the private professional exams of the IPD and can very quickly on graduation become members of IPD. An accredited IPD course will be very similar no matter which university a student studies at. Accredited courses usually have to have a period of work placement within an HR department. Most British companies looking to employ staff in HRM or HRD will look for applicants who are members of IPD.
CIPD Home Page
The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD)
The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) is the professional body for designers. The Society exists to promote concern for the sound principles of design in all areas in which design considerations apply, to further design practice and encourage the study of design techniques for the benefit of the community.
It is the world's largest chartered body of professional designers and is unique in representing designers in all disciplines. CSD is governed by Royal Charter and as such its members are obliged to practice to the highest professional standards. The Society is also a registered charity and adheres to best practice as a membership organisation.
CSD Home Page
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)
CSP must not be confused with the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) which is a general Council representing physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers etc.
All degrees in Physiotherapy offered in the UK must be accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy so that graduates can on completion of their degree take up employment with the National Health Service and be insured to treat patients.
Overseas students who wish to take up employment n the UK as physiotherapists must have their degree accredited by the Chartered Society.
Currently, 3.5 year degrees in Physiotherapy from India are not recognised by the Chartered Society and hence it is impossible for Indian Physiotherapists to become registered and take up employment in the UK unless they are prepared to study the UK Bachelors degree from year one or take up an intensive 2 year conversion course.
CSP Home Page
The Engineering Council (ECUK)
The ECUK was created on 22 March 2002. It is a direct successor of the chartered institution first established in 1982 to promote and regulate the engineering profession in the UK. It succeeded the Council of Engineering Institutions, taking on responsibility for the Register of Chartered Engineers, and the Engineers Registration Board. It continues to run the Register of Chartered Engineers, Incorporated Engineers and Engineering Technicians. Entry to the Register depends on satisfying the appropriate membership requirements of one of the Institutions.
ECUK is guided by its principal objective in its operations to set and maintain realistic and internationally relevant standards of professional competence and ethics for engineers, technologists and technicians, and to license competent institutions to promote and uphold the standards. The ECUK aims to provide a clear means to ensure that employers, clients, government and society can have confidence in the skills and commitment of engineers, technologists and technicians.
ECUK Home Page
The General Medical Council (GMC)
GMC has strong and effective legal powers designed to maintain the standards the public have a right to expect of doctors. The public trusts doctors to set and monitor their own professional standards. In return doctors must give their patients high-quality medical care. Where any doctor fails to meet those standards, GMC acts to protect patients from harm - if necessary, by striking the doctor off the register and removing their right to practise medicine.
GMC is also a charity (registration number 1089278) whose purpose is the protection, promotion and maintenance of the health and safety of the community.
GMC Home Page
The General Teaching Council for England (GTC)
The General Teaching Council for England, as the professional body for teaching, provides an opportunity for teachers to shape the development of professional practice and policy, and to maintain and set professional standards.
A key part of the GTC role is to advise government on issues affecting the profession, based on teachers views and expertise. This entitles the GTC to speak up for teaching. In this way teachers views and concerns can influence education policy, and the GTC can promote solutions that teachers believe can work.
GTC HomePage
The Institute of Biology (IOB)
IOB is a professional body for UK biologists. It was founded in 1950, obtained a Royal Charter in 1979, and is a registered charity. Its 16500 members work in industry, research, education and healthcare, amongst other areas.
The principal professional title awarded by the Institute is Chartered Biologist (CBiol), which is recognised throughout the European Communities, and can be held at either the Member or the Fellow grade.
The IOB is frequently consulted on biological issues by the Government, industry and many other organisations, and also produces pro-active Policy
Studies. Drawing on the breadth of its membership and the expertise of its 75 Affiliated Societies, the IOB is able to produce a balanced response which
reflects the views of the biological profession as a whole.
IOB Home Page
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales is the largest professional accountancy body in Europe, with over 125,000 members and over 15,000 members live and work outside the UK. The Institute also has some 9,000 students.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales was incorporated by Royal Charter in May 1880 following the coming together of six local societies of accountants in London, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield. The Institute received a Supplemental Charter in 1948. As a Chartered body, the Institute operates primarily in the public interest.
The Institute undertakes or facilitates a wide range of professional activities including education and training of students, continuing professional development for members, maintenance of professional and ethical standards, cutting-edge work on technical accounting issues, and provision of advice and services to members.
ICAEW Home Page
The Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM)
IDM is the world's first and only professional body created solely for individual interactive and direct marketing practitioners. Established in 1987 as a charitable educational trust, the IDM is now recognised as one of the fastest-growing marketing institutes.
The Institute is at the cutting edge of one-to-one relationship marketing and IDM mission is to supply the knowledge, skills and tools that marketers must now use to deliver better results. To do this they use innovative combination of training, blended learning, directed self-learning, routes to qualification,
institute membership services and reference materials that are most appropriate to the need.
IDM Home Page
The Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEE)
Founded in 1871, the IEE is the largest professional engineering society in Europe and has a worldwide membership of just under 130,000. These men and women, who have joined together to promote the advancement of electrical, electronic and manufacturing science and engineering, range from students to the most distinguished and highly qualified members of the profession.
IEE accredit Engineering degrees at British Universities. There has been a recent change in accreditation of Engineering degrees, so much so, that only MEng (Hons) degrees (4 years in England and 5 years in Scotland) are now recognized by the professional bodies as a professional engineering degree. On completion of an MEng (Hons) degree a graduate has to work for a further 2 years under a Chartered Engineering before applying for Chartered Engineer status with one of the professional bodies.
BEng (Hons) degrees will lead to membership of professional bodies but it may not be possible to become a Chartered Engineer without studying an
accredited MEng (Hons) degree.
IEE Home Page
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
The Institution has been the home of Mechanical Engineers for 150 years. Around 80,000 engineers world-wide are members. The Institution of
Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is the United Kingdom's qualifying body for mechanical engineers.
IMechE accredits Engineering degrees at British Universities. There has been a recent change in accreditation of Engineering degrees, so much so, that only MEng (Hons) degrees (4 years in England and 5 years in Scotland) are now recognized by the professional bodies as a professional engineering degree. On completion of an MEng (Hons) degree as graduate has to work for a further 2 years under a Chartered Engineering before applying for Chartered Engineer status with one of the professional bodies.
BEng (Hons) degrees will lead to membership of professional bodies but it may not be possible to become a Chartered Engineer without studying an
accredited MEng (Hons) degree.
IMechE Home Page
The Institute of Physics (IOP)
IOP is a leading international professional body and learned society, established to promote the advancement and dissemination of physics. The Institute has a world-wide membership and is a major international player in: scientific publishing and electronic dissemination of physics; setting professional standards for physicists and awarding professional qualifications; promoting physics through scientific conferences, education and science policy advice.
The Institute works in collaboration with national physical societies, sharing information and working jointly to promote the interests of physics, and makes its educational materials, policy statements and other services available internationally. It plays an important role in trans-national societies such as the European Physical Society and represents British and Irish physicists in international organisations.
IOP Home Page
The Law Society
The Law Society is the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales. They serve the society by working to improve access to the
law. They provide services and support for solicitors themselves. And they set the standards that underpin the profession's reputation as the best independent professional advisor.
The Law Society Home Page
The Law Society of Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland is the governing body for Scottish solicitors. It was established by the Legal Aid & Solicitors (Scotland) Act in 1949. The main aims of the Society are set out in the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980. In essence, the society promotes the interests of the Solicitors profession in Scotland and the interests of the public in relation to the profession. All practising solicitors in Scotland must be members of the society and must hold a current Practising Certificate which is issued by the society.
The Law Society Scotland Home Page
Member of British Institute of Management (MBIM)
Anybody can apply for membership to the British Institute ofManagement, there are no formal exams, but you have to prove that you have had appropriate management experience within a British based company. There is an annual fee for membership!!
The Royal Academy of Engineering
The Academy was founded in 1976 as the Fellowship of Engineering on the initiative of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and a group of distinguished engineers. It was granted its Royal Charter in 1983 and adopted its present title in 1992.
The Academy brings together over 1200 distinguished engineers who come from all engineering disciplines. Their aim is to promote excellence in engineering for the benefit of the people of the United Kingdom. In order to achieve this aim they assist in the development of policy on engineering issues at a national level by formulating policy statements and submitting expert evidence to parliamentary and government bodies. Among the other activities are supporting engineering education from the age of 13 through to Chartered Engineer status. They also encourage engineering research and promote to build closer contacts between the industrial and academic worlds. They also promote the public understanding of engineering through publications, lectures and conferences.
Royal Academy of Engineering Home Page
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
The RCN represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policies. It represents the interests of nurses and nursing and aims to be their voice locally, nationally and internationally. The RCN lobbies governments and other organisations to develop and implement policy that will improve the quality of patient care, and will build on the importance of nurses, health care assistants and nursing students.
RCN Home Page
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Any student who wishes to practice architectural designing in the UK and to be able to 搒ign off� architectural drawings must be a RIBA registered architect. In order to register with RIBA students have to pass 3 parts:
Part 1
Completion of an accredited degree in architecture (usually 4 years in Scotland, 3 in England)
Part 2
Completion of a postgraduate diploma in architectural studies (usually in 1 year in Scotland or 2 years in England)
Part 3
Have completed 5 academic years of training (Part 1 and Part 2) and have had 2 years of work experience under a RIBA qualified architect before then applying for Part 3. Part 3 will require the student to present their portfolio to RIBA along with copies of their qualifications and references from their employers. An oral interview is often required.
Students who are not RIBA registered can still work in an architects firm but will not be able to set up their own practice.
Overseas students who have an architecture degree from their own country will need to apply for accreditation for Part 1 of RIBA from the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in London. This will involve sending their mark sheets, syllabus and portfolio to the ARB and can take several months for
a decision. If they are not given accreditation then they will not be allowed to do a Part 2 accredited postgraduate course.
RIBA is not required outside of the UK and hence most overseas students are not bothered about RIBA recognition.
RIBA Home Page
The Royal Society
As the UK independent national academy of science founded in 1660, the Royal Society plays a crucial role as the champion of top quality science and technology. The Royal Society funds 380 of the brightest professorial and postdoctoral science researchers who perform cutting edge research across the science, engineering and technology spectrum. The Royal Society offers a stimulating international interaction through the provision of a range of grants to support 3000 visits and joint projects each year and by promoting science education and awareness. It also rewards scientific excellence by electing to its Fellowship the most distinguished scientists in the UK and the Commonwealth and by awarding medals and prizes to scientists throughout the world for work of distinction.
The Royal Society Home Page
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
RSC is the leading organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a network of 45,000 members worldwide and an internationally acclaimed publishing business, our activities span education and training, conferences and science policy, and the promotion of the chemical sciences to the public.
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is the Professional Body for chemists and the Learned Society for chemistry. It is one of the most prominent and influential independent scientific organisations in Britain. Through its 46,000 members - including academics, teachers and industrialists. The RSC promotes the interests of chemists and the benefits of chemical science.
RSC Home Page
