More than 120,000 of your colleagues have chosen to belong to UCU. This makes it the largest and most effective voice for people like you working in post-school education.
Join the Union via UCU website link here
Watch a 35 second video (featuring our very own Chair) on why you should join UCU!
There are many reasons for joining a union the most obvious are:
Strength
UCU is the largest post-school union in the world. Your employer and the government cannot ignore a union of this size. Of course the more members we have the stronger our voice will be.
Protection
People who work in post-school education have never been under so much pressure. Staff numbers drop as student numbers rise – often with no matching increase in funding. UCU campaigns and negotiates locally and nationally for tangible results. Defending and advancing your employment and professional interests, both nationally and locally, is what UCU does best.
Influence
UCU influences educational policy. We speak for the practitioners – arguing against the growing teaching and administrative burdens placed on our members. We make representations to all the key players in post-school education.
Support
As a UCU member you will have access to legal support. Unions win millions of pounds in compensation for their members every year.
Protest
Unions provide the only legitimate way a democratically organised group of employees can express their view to employers and government if local or national negotiations fail.
Don’t leave it to others to defend your pay and conditions!
Join the Union via UCU website link here
How much does it cost to be a UCU member?
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:
| 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.
There are different rates for Joint Union members, e.g. with RCM, RCN membership – see here.
CCCU UCU is funded entirely via a local subscription fee added to your national subscription. The 2024-25 rate is:
