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What is BPS accreditation, and why is it important?

Last updated: 22 May 2026

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BPS accreditation: Quick summary

  • BPS accreditation signals a high standard in psychology education – it shows a course has been independently reviewed against UK professional benchmarks.
  • Accredited degrees can provide Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – the first step toward postgraduate training and chartership.
  • Employers value BPS-approved qualifications highly – they signal credibility, industry readiness, and alignment with professional standards.
  • You can still enter psychology-related careers without BPS accreditation – many roles in research, HR, wellbeing, or support services don't require chartered status.
  • A BPS accredited degree is essential for becoming a chartered psychologist – it can give you the academic foundation needed before further professional training and, for some practitioner routes, HCPC registration.

BPS-accredited. Online. Complete in 1 year.

Study Walbrook’s BPS-accredited MSc Psychology and, on successful completition, you could become eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) in as little as 1 year.

Explore MSc Psychology

BPS accreditation: Quick summary

  • BPS accreditation signals a high standard in psychology education – it shows a course has been independently reviewed against UK professional benchmarks.
  • Accredited degrees can provide Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – the first step toward postgraduate training and chartership.
  • Employers value BPS-approved qualifications highly – they signal credibility, industry readiness, and alignment with professional standards.
  • You can still enter psychology-related careers without BPS accreditation – many roles in research, HR, wellbeing, or support services don't require chartered status.
  • A BPS accredited degree is essential for becoming a chartered psychologist – it can give you the academic foundation needed before further professional training and, for some practitioner routes, HCPC registration.

Understanding BPS accreditation

If you’re considering a psychology degree, you’ve likely come across the term BPS accreditation. It’s a mark of approval from the UK’s representative body for psychologists – the British Psychological Society (BPS) – and signals that a course meets the highest standard in psychology study. For some pathways, it’s essential.

In particular, anyone aiming to become a chartered member of the BPS must complete BPS-recognised training. Chartered status is the top level of recognition for a practitioner psychologist in the UK. It confirms that you’ve met the Society’s benchmarks for academic and professional standards.

That said, not every pathway requires it. Many roles in wellbeing, analysis, or community support use psychology skills in different ways, without needing the chartered process.

What is BPS accreditation?

When a degree is recognised by the BPS, it means the programme has been independently reviewed and shown to meet their requirements for quality. For students, this gives confidence that the course builds the right skills and expertise for further psychology study and professional training  – to progress as a psychologist in your chosen field.

You can check whether a course is accredited by:

Why does BPS accreditation matter?

  • Essential for becoming a chartered psychologist

    If your goal is to achieve chartered status, BPS recognition is a must. A BPS-accredited degree or conversion course can provide the academic foundation needed for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), before you move into further professional training.

  • Recognition and credibility

    Employers, clients, and colleagues recognise BPS-approved qualifications as a sign of quality. They show that your studies have been reviewed against recognised standards for psychology education, and that you’re prepared for advanced study or practice.

  • Access to professional networks and resources

    Studying on a recognised programme connects you to the wider BPS community. Members gain access to resources, connections, and events that support development throughout their future.

  • When accreditation isn’t essential

    Not every role requires BPS approval. Roles such as data analysis, counselling support, or working as a social worker may not require the chartered pathway. If your chosen field lies here, BPS endorsement may be helpful but not mandatory.

How to become a chartered psychologist in the UK

Becoming a chartered psychologist is a rewarding journey that opens the door to highly respected opportunities across health, education, and research. While it takes commitment, the pathway is clear – and each step builds your skills, confidence, and professional standing.

  • Step 1: Start with an accredited degree

    Begin with a BPS-accredited undergraduate degree in psychology. If your first degree wasn’t in psychology, or wasn’t BPS-accredited, you can take a BPS-accredited conversion MSc to gain eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

  • Step 2: Progress to doctoral training

    To move into professional practice, you’ll usually need a BPS-accredited doctorate (or equivalent) in your chosen area – such as clinical, counselling, or educational psychology. These postgraduate training programmes combine advanced academic learning with practical, supervised and relevant work experience placements.

  • Step 3: Gain supervised experience

    During doctoral study, you’ll complete supervised practice placements where you work directly with patients – from NHS clinics to schools or community organisations. This relevant work experience can be one of the most rewarding parts of your journey – helping you put your skills into practice and getting experience in areas you're most interested in.

  • Step 4: Register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

    For many practitioner psychologist roles, you’ll also need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This is the official regulator that ensures practitioner psychologists meet professional standards in the UK.

  • Step 5: Apply for chartered membership

    Finally, you can apply to the BPS for Chartered Membership (CPsychol). This confirms you’ve completed the required postgraduate training and are now recognised as a chartered psychologist.

Postgraduate conversion courses: your pathway into psychology

If you didn't study a BPS-accredited psychology degree at undergraduate, you may be eligible to apply for a postgraduate conversion programme. Conversion courses build the foundations needed for a career in psychology, and a BPS-accredited master’s also provides the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist.

At Walbrook, our online MSc Psychology is BPS-accredited. Our MSc Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing has been designed to align with BPS accreditation requirements, and our application has been submitted and is in progress.

Both programmes give you a strong grounding in theory, research, and applied skills that can support psychology-aligned roles.

Find out more:

MSc Psychology (BPS-accredited)MSc Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing
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Where BPS accreditation can take you

A psychology degree can lead to many rewarding roles – but your options may expand further if you study a BPS-accredited programme.

Psychology careers that require BPS recognition

If you want to practise as a psychologist, you’ll need to follow the BPS pathway to chartership, which opens careers such as:

  • Clinical psychology

  • Counselling psychology

  • Educational psychology

  • Forensic psychology

  • Health psychology

  • Sport and exercise psychology

These are regulated professions where chartership gives you the recognition and authority to practise. Salaries reflect the level of expertise required: clinical psychologists in the NHS typically earn £48,000 to £63,000 depending on experience (National Careers Service), with the potential to earn more in private practice.

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Psychology careers where accreditation isn’t essential

Not all psychology-related roles require BPS chartership. Many draw on skills from psychology without needing the full chartered process. These can be rewarding if you’re keen to apply psychological skills in broader contexts – for example, supporting people with mental health issues in the workplace or using active listening to undertake wellbeing counselling.

  • Psychology research assistant

  • Psychological wellbeing practitioner

  • Human resources professional

  • Wellbeing or mental health adviser

  • Counsellor (via alternative routes)

What is the difference between a psychiatrist, a professional in psychology, and a chartered psychologist?

These three titles might sound similar, but they each involve different qualifications and expertise.

  • Professional in psychology – Someone with a university degree in psychology who applies psychological knowledge and skills in roles such as research, wellbeing, or counselling support, but may not have chartered status.

  • Chartered psychologist – A psychologist who has completed the full BPS-approved learning pathway, applied their expertise with patients, and become a chartered member of the BPS.

  • Psychiatrist – A medically trained doctor who specialises in mental health. Psychiatrists complete a medical degree, then specialist training in psychiatry, and can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication.

Shape your future in psychology with Walbrook

Our online MSc Psychology degree is a BPS-accredited conversion programme for graduates who didn’t study psychology at undergraduate level, or whose degree wasn’t BPS-accredited. When you successfully complete the programme and meet the GBC requirements, you’ll be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) – an important step towards further professional psychology training.

At £7,080, MSc Psychology is the UK’s most affordable online BPS-accredited conversion MSc.

Our MSc Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing has been designed to align with BPS accreditation requirements, and our application has been submitted and is in progress. Study full-time, in as little as 1 year, or part-time over 2 years alongside work. With per-module pricing and an online-first design, you can pursue your chosen field without putting life on hold.

MSc Psychology (BPS-accredited)MSc Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing

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