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UCU activist education programme

UCU training animation

Welcome to UCU's education and training pages. UCU's education programme offers its network of Reps and activists a wide range of courses. Courses run on a regional basis enabling participants to meet and work alongside UCU members from branches within their region.

We are now in a position to offer most UCU courses online and will do so until at least September 2021, in line with UCU guidance.

All courses will continue to be offered on a regional basis. Those applying from outside the region will be placed on the course waiting list and offered a place if the course is not filled by members of that region.

You should be aware our online courses are no different to our face-to-face courses in terms of funding, and time off for training. It is important that you can attend the entire course, and get time off from your employer as you would a face-to-face course.

If we do not exercise the right to time off for training courses on line, it will become increasingly difficult to get it when we return to face to face teaching. It is our right - let's use it or lose it!

When you sign up to a course please make sure you can attend!

We have experienced significant drop out and non-attendance rates with some online courses. Sadly this has resulted in courses being cancelled or running with extremely low attendance. Please ensure you can commit to the course prior to submitting your application form, and if you find you cannot attend PLEASE LET US KNOW ASAP.

Unsure which UCU region you are in? Check here

Your rights to time off for training
If you are an elected UCU rep you have rights to time off for training. See also our UCU training FAQs.

About UCU reps
Branch officers • UCU reps • Health and safety reps • Learning reps • Equality reps • Environment reps. See also Being a UCU rep

Find a course in your area:

Other training opportunities

UCU reps are entitled to attend locally run TUC courses. All reps and officers are also entitled to apply for TUC online learning courses. Click here to find relevant TUC courses

If you wish to claim travel and associated expenses for a TUC course you must comply with the following policy and contact the UCU training officer:
TUC courses: UCU attendance policy [127kb]
TUC courses: UCU attendance policy [148kb]