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How much does it cost to be a UCU member?

18 August 2023

Future of the profession

Young workers need the union more than ever. As part of UCU's drive to support education workers at the start of their careers we are offering free membership to some further and higher staff. Find out more here.

UCU membership can cost from as little as £1 per month depending on your earnings. Most members can reduce their subscription by claiming income tax relief.

The subscription rates applicable from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 are as set out below:

To see your applicable subscription rate, choose the income band appropriate to your annual earnings before tax for all eligible employment (excluding London weighting if applicable). Do not include any earnings outside the sector, pension or bursary income.


National subscriptions

Arising from the decisions of UCU's national congress and the National Executive Committee, the subscription rates for 2023/24 have now been agreed. A table showing the new rates taking effect on 1 September 2023 is below. In keeping with previous Congress decisions to make our subscriptions more progressive and in recognition of the cost-of-living crisis, we have frozen rates for our lowest-paid members (bands F4, F5 and F6). We have also reduced rates slightly for those in band F3 (1%). Unfortunately, in order to balance UCU's budget, we have had to increase rates for higher-earning members: band F0 (6%), F1 (4.75%) and F2 (3.5%). Although 6% is a large percentage figure, it amounts to just £1.66 per month for members earning above £60k. Rates for retired and attached members have also been increased by 4%, which works out as 11p per month.

National UCU subscription rates for UCU members to 31 August 2024
Employment income band (excluding London Weighting)Including political fund (per month)Excluding political fund (per month)
£60,000 & above (F0)£29.45£29.15
£40,000 - £59,999 (F1)£25.56£25.30
£30,000 - £39,999 (F2)£22.16£21.93
£22,000 - £29,999 (F3)£17.59£17.41
£15,000 - £21,999 (F4)£10.59£10.49
£5,000 - £14,999 (F5)£4.61£4.57
Below £5,000 (F6)£1.00£0.99

Note: UCU operates a political fund which expressly does not contribute to any political party, but is used for campaigning and lobbying to promote the interests of UCU members. The contribution level is one percent of the national subscription rate. Members may opt in to the fund. If you choose not to contribute to the political fund you shall not be excluded from any benefits of the union or placed in any respect, either directly or indirectly, under a disability or at a disadvantage as compared to other members of the union.

Information Local subscriptions: some local associations and branches levy a small additional local sub for local branch use.

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Joint union members

Different rates are applicable, according to annual salary band, for joint BOS, CSP, Musicians' Union, RCM, RCN, SCP, and SOR members.

Joint union membership subscription rates for UCU members to 31 August 2024
Employment income band (excluding London Weighting)Including political fund (per month)Excluding political fund (per month)
£60,000 & above (F0)£22.08£21.86
£40,000 - £59,999 (F1)£19.17£18.97
£30,000 - £39,999 (F2)£16.62£16.44
£22,000 - £29,999 (F3)£13.19£13.05
£15,000 - £21,999 (F4)£7.94£7.86
£5,000 - £14,999 (F5)£3.45£3.42
Below £5,000 (F6)£0.75£0.74

Note: UCU operates a political fund which expressly does not contribute to any political party, but is used for campaigning and lobbying to promote the interests of UCU members. The contribution level is one percent of the national subscription rate. Members may opt in to the fund. If you choose not to contribute to the political fund you shall not be excluded from any benefits of the union or placed in any respect, either directly or indirectly, under a disability or at a disadvantage as compared to other members of the union.

Join UCU online today ►


Retired/attached members

The rate for 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 for retired and attached members is £3.02 per month (£2.98 excluding the political fund). Attached unemployed members seeking employment pay nothing for one year from date of becoming an attached member.

Last updated: 17 August 2023