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.
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 (Cambridge) are eligible for life membership.
Life membership can now be gifted to eligible students, see below for more information.
Please note, almost all events operate on a first-come first-serve basis. Purchasing a membership does not guarantee entry to any event.
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.
£180
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...
Student Social, Food & Drink
Open To The Public
Volunteering your time, volunteering your political voice, even in your twenties, is a great thing.
– Bill Gates, at the Union 7th October, 2019
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.
