Join UCU

Join UCU online today >

UCU is the largest post-school union in the world. We cover universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and other post-16 training providers and our membership includes academics, lecturers, teachers, trainers, instructors, researchers, administrators, managers, computer staff, librarians, postgraduate teaching assistants and other education professionals.

We understand the work that you do and our size and specialist nature mean that government and employers listen to us when we represent your views.

In further education, if you are a teacher or lecturer and/or you are directly involved with scheduled teaching or other curriculum delivery then UCU is the union for you.
 
In higher education we are the specialist recognised union for academic and academic-related staff (such as managers, senior administrators, computing, library and other professional staff) in pre-92 universities and for academic staff in post-92 institutions.

In prison education, UCU is the only union that represents all prison education lecturers, tutors and trainers. We also represent other roles involved with teaching or directly involved with curriculum delivery.  In Northern Ireland prison education terms and conditions are negotiated differently from those in FE colleges. UCU can represent individual members but doesn't negotiate collectively on those terms and conditions, which are part of wide public sector terms and conditions and are different from those related to colleges.
 
We represent teaching staff and managers delivering adult education in colleges, local and combined authorities, specialist institutes and other providers,  including full-time, fractional salaried and hourly-paid part-time lecturers.
 
While our rules allow UCU to recruit those in qualifying employment, UCU works closely with our sister trade unions and we do not actively seek to recruit members of other unions or in areas where we have no legitimate interest. Wherever you work we recommend you join a union. If in doubt about the right union for you contact UCU and we will advise you of the right organisation for you.