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Join the most historic union in the world

Join Cambridge’s largest student society today for the opportunity to see world-class speakers and debaters as well as many other member benefits. Not a student? Don't worry, there are lots of ways you can get involved and be part of our history with Open Memberships and more.

In the past, the Society has hosted such great figures as Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt and the current Dalai Lama. It continues to provide Cambridge students with the opportunity to meet and question the people that shape our world, having grown into the central forum for student discussion in Cambridge. 

Our public debates and guest speakers continue to generate passionate student engagement, and our university and school debating competitions remain the largest and most prestigious in the country.

The Cambridge Union Crest Logo

Membership Options

The Union has a huge amount to offer everyone whether you are a student or a member of the public, so make sure you don’t miss out.

All current and former students and staff of the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University, Judge Business School and the BPP Law School are eligible for life membership. 

Life membership can now be gifted to eligible students, see below for more information.

There are four types of membership available to buy or gift:

Life

Students, Current
& Alumni

The most common way to join us: for those who have attended or worked at either University in Cambridge, giving full membership rights for your entire time at Cambridge, and beyond –with many of our life members returning to our events years after they’ve graduated.

£300

Annual

Students, Current
& Alumni

Ideally suited for post-graduate students. Annual Members have all membership rights of a full member for a year.

Access

Undergraduate
Students

This is the same as the life membership, but offered at lower rate for those in receipt of Cambridge University Bursary or Anglia Ruskin University Bursary. From £90, we offer three tiers of discount, depending on household income.

Open

Members of the
Public

Designed to provide access to interested members of the public who wish to support The Union and gain access to events and discounts for one year.

Silver Street Scholarships

In addition to our tiered-access lifetime membership fees, the Cambridge Union currently offers 25 lifetime scholarships to prospective students from both Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge. Our generous patrons have given us the opportunity to support the diverse financial needs of our multicultural city and ensure we uphold our ethos of inclusivity of opportunity. For more information about our Silver Street and Lotus Foundation scholarships, please enquire with the Vice President, Leonas Pausch. Applications are now open through the link here

Purchase CUS membership as a Gift

Give the gift of a lifetime of opportunity to enjoy our world class programme of events, facilities and join our global alumni. Gift memberships can be purchased for someone attending either the University of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University.

What are the benefits
of being a member?

Membership of The Cambridge Union Society entitles you to access to all events in the Union including debates, speakers and socials, as well as members discounts and offers at The Orator.

Benefits also include exclusive access to the members’ area of the website, which includes our live streaming service. Life members have voting rights to the society as well as the option to stand for election.

We are open to all

For years the Cambridge Union has been a closed doors society, however we are delighted to now offer an Open Membership option for members of the public who wish to support the Union and gain access to events. This is a truly unique experience where you will be able to walk the halls of greatness and experience live debates and guest speaker events.

Coming up...

Competitive Debate

Members Only

Competitive Debate Training

Starting Monday 14th October 2024
Find out more

Speaker

Members Only

Little Simz

Tuesday 19th November
Find out more
Volunteering your time, volunteering your political voice, even in your twenties, is a great thing.

– Bill Gates, at the Union 7th October, 2019

Speaker

Members Only

Sarah Bonito

Friday 22nd November
Find out more

Speaker

Members Only

Linda Yueh

Monday 25th November
Find out more

More than a
Union bar.

Your Union bar and restaurant, The Orator is a central hub of activity with events taking place throughout the week and is a beautiful place to sit and work (wi-fi is free) or just chat with friends. Your membership also entitles you to 20% off the entire menu so be sure to check it out.

Not just for
debating.

With the Footlight Cellars recently refurbished, the Union has become a central venue for hosting a wide variety of events. From historic rooms to the newly refurbished cellar bar, rooms can be booked at a discounted rate by Union members. For more information on room bookings please get in touch.

The Cambridge Union Crest Logo

Access Membership Information

We offer three tiers of discount, depending on household income. These are:

Full Discount: £90. Available to any student with a household income below £25,000.

2/3 Discount: £160. Available to any student with a household income between £25,001 and £33,750

1/3 Discount: £180. Available to any student with a household income between £33,751 and £42,620

Please note that we will require proof of eligibility before issuing an access membership. We accept either a letter of entitlement from the University of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University stating the value of your bursary, or a letter of entitlement from Student Finance England stating the value of your maintenance loan. We will review the relevant documents when you come to collect your membership card. If you fall into the two higher income brackets (£150 or £170), you may then be asked to pay the difference in person.

Note: if you think you may be eligible for access membership, select this, rather than life membership, when joining –as refunds for membership cannot be given.

*Memberships are also available to buy at reception.

The Cambridge Union Crest Logo

Open Membership Information

Open Membership is designed to provide access to interested members of the public who wish to support the Union and gain access to selected events.

It includes:

  • Open to any member of the public over the age of 18yrs (No geographic limitations)
  • Permits access to the membership area of the website
  • Provides access to selected events in the Union including debates , speakers and social events as advertised on our website
  • Access on line to most debates and speaker events through our live streamed service that will include key politicians, celebrities and Hawkins Fellowship lecture
  • Includes a 20% discount on food and drink when using the Orator and a range of other discounts when using Union facilities, such as room hire

 

Restrictions

  • Does not allow voting rights to the society
  • Open Members may not stand for election to any Committee
  • Open Members are not permitted to use Student lounges and offices.
 
*Memberships are also available to buy at reception.
The Cambridge Union Crest Logo

Membership Portal
currently undergoing maintenance

Our Membership Portal is currently undergoing maintenance.

Existing Members – Please note the membership site is still under maintenance and having minor issues, to proceed log in here: Member’s Log In, alternatively check back soon.

Prospective Memberships – If you are looking to become a member, please try back again shortly, or alternatively email info@cus.org

*Memberships are also available to buy at reception.