Join UCU today
Find out about the different categories of membership, how much it costs and how to join today.
You can join UCU online.
Subscription rate
The monthly subscription rate for UCU membership at The University of Sheffield consists of two elements:
- the National Subscription (dependent on salary)
- plus a local subscription (dependent on salary)
Total subscription rates (local + national) are as below:
| Annual Earnings | Total subs (24-25) |
| £60,000 & above (F0) | £34.54 |
| £40,000 – £59,999 (F1) | £30.18 |
| £30,000 – £39,999 (F2) | £25.36 |
| £22,000 – £29,999 (F3) | £19.78 |
| £15,000 – £21,999 (F4) | £12.72 |
| £5,000 – £14,999 (F5) | £4.54 |
| Below £5,000 (F6) | £1.00 |
Student and Postgraduate membership
If you are an enrolled PhD student who is also contracted to teach at the higher education institution at which you are registered for your PhD studies, we offer free membership for up to four years. Standard Free membership is not designed for existing staff who subsequently register for a PhD where they work.
UCU’s ‘student membership’ category is open postgraduate students at a university or HE college and are planning a career in higher education (but are not an employed postgraduate student). This category of membership is free while you complete your studies.
Professional services membership
All staff employed by the University of Sheffield are eligible to join UCU.
We have members from across the university, ranging from IT professionals to librarians, technicians, recruitment, student support staff, and many other professional services roles.
There are regular Professional Services meetings to discuss issues facing members in this area. You can find out who your departmental contact is here:
Current SUCU departmental contacts
Members on grades 5 and below
UCU welcomes members from all grades across the University.
The University recognises UCU as the representatives of Academic, Clinical & Health, Research, Teaching, and Administrative & Professional staff.
Whilst our pensions campaigning focuses on the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which is only available to grades 6 and above, our other campaigns at a UK and local level include work on pay, workload, equality, casualisation, and promotion/progression, all of which are relevant to staff on grades 5 and below.
We work closely with the other recognised trade unions at the University, and you can also join one of them:
- Unite– Technical and facilities support staff.
- Unison– Secretarial and clerical staff.
- GMB– Support staff.
Staff employed by subsidiaries of the University
Staff who are directly employed by wholly-owned subsidiaries of the University of Sheffield (e.g. Unicus) may be eligible to join UCU as a member, but would not be able to be balloted during disputes, or take part in industrial action, as your employer is legally distinct from the University of Sheffield.
If you have any questions about your eligibility to be a member of our branch, or to take part in industrial action, contact us at ucu@sheffield.ac.uk.
Retired Membership
Read about your options for retired membership.
FAQs about joining UCU
Find your answer on UCU’s FAQ page.