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  7. How much does it cost to be a UCU member?

How much does it cost to be a UCU member?

UCU membership can cost 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 2016 to 31 August 2017 are as set out below:

National subscriptions

National UCU subscription rates for UCU members to 31 August 2017
Employment income band (excluding London Weighting)England, Scotland & Wales (per month)N Ireland (per month)
£60,000 & above£23.73£23.49
£40,000 - £59,999£21.62£21.41
£30,000 - £39,999£19.66£19.46
£20,000 - £29,999£18.55£18.37
£10,000 - £19,999£11.30£11.19
£5,000 - £9,999£5.12£5.07
Below £5,000£1.01£1.00

Note: The Northern Ireland rate automatically excludes the 1% political fund contribution; these members can opt-in to the fund which pays for the UCU's political work, but not any party support. Members outside Northern Ireland can opt-out of this fund on request.

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

Join UCU online today ►

Telephone purple Or join over the phone: 0333 207 0719*


*Lines open 9.15am-4.45pm Mon-Fri. Calls are charged at standard rates; if you have inclusive call minutes or an allowance calls to this number are usually included (please check with your provider).

Joint union members

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

Joint union membership subscription rates for UCU members to 31 August 2017
Employment income band (excluding London Weighting)England, Scotland & Wales (per month)N Ireland (per month)
£60,000 & above£17.79£17.61
£40,000 - £59,999£16.21£16.05
£30,000 - £39,999£14.74£14.59
£20,000 - £29,999£13.91£13.77
£10,000 - £19,999£8.47£8.39
£5,000 - £10,000£3.84£3.80
Below £5,000£0.76£0.75

Note: The Northern Ireland rate automatically excludes the 1% political fund contribution; these members can opt-in to the fund which pays for the UCU's political work, but not any party support. Members outside Northern Ireland can opt-out of this fund on request.

Join UCU online today ►

Telephone purple Or join over the phone: 0333 207 0719*


*Lines open 9.15am-4.45pm Mon-Fri. Calls are charged at standard rates; if you have inclusive call minutes or an allowance calls to this number are usually included (please check with your provider).

Retired/attached members

The rate for 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017 for retired and attached members is £2.71 per month (£2.67 excluding the political fund). Attached unemployed members seeking employment pay nothing (for one year from date of becoming an attached member).

Last updated: 4 November 2016