Join the Cambridge UCU

It’s your career. It’s your union. Join today

UCU members are lecturers, academics, trainers, instructors, researchers, administrators, managers, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities and colleges.

UCU exists to improve the working lives of its members in further and higher education. Our strength comes from you and the 120,000 (and growing) other members who have chosen to join UCU. When you join, you add your voice to ours and make us stronger, better able to win improvements and fight harder to defend your job.

We constantly strive to negotiate better benefits that enhance your life in work and out of it. We are campaigning hard for real job security for staff on fixed- term contracts. Our efforts have already helped to change the law to provide better protection, and we will be continuing to argue with your employers that many fixed-term contracts should become more permanent. If you are fixed- term, make sure you have the union on hand to provide advice and a collective voice for you and your colleagues.

Education is an amazing and immensely rewarding profession, but at some point in your career, you may have a problem in your workplace, whether that be a contractual issue or dispute or a grievance of some form. When you join UCU you are joining a union of professionals like yourself who can rest easier in the knowledge that they will not face their problems alone.

In Cambridge membership is open to those in academic or academic-related posts at grade 6 or above, research posts at grade 5 and above, and postgraduate students intending to work in further or higher education. This includes those employed by Colleges or affiliated institutions at equivalent grades, as well as those employed directly by the University.

If you are a member of the assistant staff in the Technical or Clerical & Secretarial Divisions you may wish to join Unite, or if in the Manual or Clerical & Secretarial Divisions you may wish to join Unison.

You are better off in a Union

Research has shown that union members are likely to get higher pay, more annual leave, better sickness and pension benefits, have safer workplaces and are more likely to be able to take advantage of flexible working. As a UCU member, you will benefit from a range of benefits for members including financial products at discounted rates. You can claim back income tax relief for part of your membership subscriptions.

If you would like to discuss joining the union or any other aspects with your local office, contact our local administrator or telephone (01223) (7)64944. Our office is open on Tuesday to Friday between 9.45am and 2.15pm.

Monthly subscriptions from 1st September 2022

Members’ monthly subscriptions are set based on level of income. As a member of University of Cambridge local Association, you will be asked to pay a local subscription element to support the work of the branch. This was set at 1/6th of the national sub rate, but increases in membership numbers enabled us to reduce this to 1/9th and we have been able to maintain it.

BandRangeNational (Pol)National (Non Pol)Local 1/9thTotal 23/24Total 23/24 (non pol)
F0£60,000 and above29.4529.154.2133.6630.60
F1£40,000-£59,99925.5625.303.6529.2128.95
F2£30,000-£39,99922.1621.933.6525.3325.10
F3£22,000-£29,99917.5917.412.5120.1019.92
F4£15,000-£21,99910.5910.491.5112.1012.00
F5£5,000-£14,9994.614.570.665.275.23
F6Below £5,00010.990.141.141.13
Unemployed00000
NOTE: Local sub can only be calculated on one national value (political or non). CUCU use Political

Note: The rates in the final column exclude the political fund element (1% of the national subscription). Members who do not wish to participate within the political fund can opt out when joining UCU. (N.B. The local subscription can only be calculated on one national value (political or non-political). CUCU use Political.)

The earnings bands above apply to the total of your earnings from the University and its Colleges. Unearned income, income from employers outside the FE/HE sector, and PhD studentships, do not count.

If you are a POSTGRADUATE student membership is generally FREE. If you are paid for any teaching duties, you are still eligible for up to four years of free membership. If you are not teaching, you are probably entitled to join as a student member, which is also free.

If you are soon to RETIRE or are RETIRED, you can still remain a member of the Cambridge local association and subs are payable at the low rate. Likewise, if you become unemployed you can still enjoy the benefits of membership for a maximum of 12 months completely free of charge. Please contact the LA Administrator to change your membership status.