How much does it cost to be a UCU member?
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 2024 to 31 August 2025 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 2024/25 have now been agreed. A table showing the new rates taking effect on 1 September 2024 is below. In keeping with previous Congress decisions to make our subscriptions more progressive, we have reduced rates for our lowest-paid members (bands F3, F4 and F5). In addition, those earning below £5,000 a year (band F6) will continue to pay £1 or less per month. Unfortunately, in order to balance UCU's budget, we have had to increase rates slightly for higher-earning members, as follows: band F0 (3.5%), F1 (3%) and F2 (2%). These increases range from 44p per month (for those earning over £30,000) to £1.03 per month for those earning over £60,000.
Employment income band (excluding London Weighting) | Including political fund (per month) | Excluding political fund (per month) |
£60,000 & above (F0) | £30.48 | £30.17 |
£40,000 - £59,999 (F1) | £26.32 | £26.05 |
£30,000 - £39,999 (F2) | £22.60 | £22.36 |
£22,000 - £29,999 (F3) | £17.50 | £17.32 |
£15,000 - £21,999 (F4) | £10.48 | £10.38 |
£5,000 - £14,999 (F5) | £4.54 | £4.50 |
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.
Local subscriptions: some local associations and branches levy a small additional local sub for local branch use.
Joint union members
Different rates are applicable, according to annual salary band, for joint BOS, CSP, Musicians' Union, RCM, RCN, SCP, and SOR members.
Employment income band (excluding London Weighting) | Including political fund (per month) | Excluding political fund (per month) |
£60,000 & above (F0) | £22.86 | £22.62 |
£40,000 - £59,999 (F1) | £19.74 | £19.53 |
£30,000 - £39,999 (F2) | £16.95 | £16.77 |
£22,000 - £29,999 (F3) | £13.12 | £12.99 |
£15,000 - £21,999 (F4) | £7.86 | £7.78 |
£5,000 - £14,999 (F5) | £3.40 | £3.37 |
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.
Retired/attached members
The rate for 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 for retired and attached members is £3.08per month (£3.03 excluding the political fund). Attached unemployed members seeking employment pay nothing for one year from date of becoming an attached member.
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