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Associate Memberships
The activities and opportunities we provide at UEA Students’ Union are predominantly for current students studying at the University of East Anglia. However, we recognise that there are individuals that are not current UEA students that may want to become an associate member of UEA Students' Union so they can participate in a selection of our activities.
An associate membership is there so individuals that are not a current student at UEA can pay to become a member of uea(su).
As an associate member, you gain access to join uea(su) clubs and societies.
Becoming an associate membership does not allow you the right to:
- vote in any election held by uea(su) or a uea(su) student group,
- hold an officer or representative role at uea(su),
- hold a committee position in a uea(su) student group, and
- you will not be able to participate in BUCS competitions
To apply for an associate membership, an individual must complete one of the associate membership application forms.
Only forms completed by UEA Alumni, UEA Members of Staff, students at other UK-based higher education institutions, current students studying at Norwich University of the Arts will be accepted. Incomplete application forms will not be accepted.
Applications for an Associate Membership will be considered on a case by case basis following the submission of the associate membership application form.
A member of staff from UEA Students’ Union will be in contact with prospective associate members following their application with the outcome of their application and further instructions.
If you do not fall into any of the above options, unfortunately we will not be able to progress your application. If you have a query, please contact us.
UEA Sport+ Membership
If you’re looking to join a sports club, you’ll need to buy uea sport+ membership (previously called SAM) before you can sign up to your preferred sport. The full cost of uea sport+ membership is £55 per year, which contributes to the cost of sports clubs.
If you are only here for one semester or wanting to take part in a club for only one semester then you can arrange to buy a half uea sport+ membership.
Your uea sport+ membership fee covers things like:
- coaching and training courses
- travel to competitions and trips
- competition entry fee
- accommodation
- affiliation fees
- first aid
- referee and umpire cost
- external facility and storage
- kit
- insurance
- equipment purchase and maintenance
- other costs associated with the activities sports clubs put on
You only need to buy your uea sport+ membership fee once per academic year, no matter how many clubs you join. This will be logged on your student account and you should keep your email receipt saved for inspection. Club Committee members still need to pay for both their uea sport+ membership and their club membership.
PLEASE NOTE: uea sport+ membership becomes non-refundable two weeks after you have purchased it, so if you change your mind about joining a club please let us know as soon as possible. Refund terms are below:
- If a refund request is made within 14 days of purchasing the membership and proof of purchase can be provided, the refund can be paid in full. You must email union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk directly to arrange a refund.
- Refunds will be given to students, if they join a single club and they cease to exist.
- Refunds to club subs can be given upon request, but Sports Association Membership is non-refundable after a 14 day period.
- Refunds are not available for any associate members.
- Refunds outside of the 14 day window will be subject to approval by uea+sport staff on a case by case basis and will only be given on an extraordinary basis (please email studentsport@uea.ac.uk).
Membership Refunds
If you log in you should be able to see all your purchased memberships here:
If you would like a refund on a membership we have our terms and conditions below.
Society, Club and UEA Sport+ Membership Refunds
Society and Club Memberships
- Until October 21st 2024, if you request a refund for your club or society membership, you will be given an automatic refund that will not need approval from committee.
- After October 21st 2024, if a refund request is made for a club or society membership fee within 14-days of purchase you will be entitled to an immediate refund.
- If a refund request is made for a club or society membership more than 14 days after purchase, then permission from the club or society committee will be needed. Please note, we are unable to offer refunds for society memberships that amount to £5 or under if the refund request is made more than 14 days after your purchase.
- Associate Membership fees are non-refundable.
- Once authorised, refunds will take up to 14 days to appear in your bank account.
- To request a refund for a club or society membership, please email union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk. If after the 14 day window and after October 21st 2024, the President, Vice-President and Treasurer of the club or soceity that you are requesting a refund from will also need to approve your refund request, so please CC them into your refund request email.
UEA Sport+ Membership (SAM)
- Until October 21st 2024, if you request a refund for your UEA Sport+ membership, you will be given an automatic refund.
- After October 21st 2024, if a refund request for your uea sport membership is made within 14 days of purchasing the membership, the refund can be paid in full.
- If a refund request is made for a UEA Sport+ membership more than 14 days after purchase, it will be subject to approval by uea+sport staff on a case by case basis and will only be given on an extraordinary basis.
- Refunds of UEA Sport+ membership and club membership will be given if you join a single club and the club ceases to exist - but you cannot claim a refund for uea sport membership if you are also a member of another club.
- To request a refund please email union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk.
I'm Under 18 Years Old
If you are under 18 years old you may still become a member of some clubs and societies, but you will need some extra permissions.
Please read our under 18s in clubs and societies policy for more information.
To become a member of a club or society as an under 18, you must first complete this form and return it to union.opportunities@uea.ac.uk. This form must detail your contact information, your parent or guardians contact information, and the clubs and societies you are looking to join.
Once we have this document, we will contact the committee members of the relevant clubs and societies to ensure they are aware and happy to have an under 18 in their group.
Following approval from the committee members, we will then set you up to purchase memberships to the clubs and societies you have stated you want to join. If you are looking to join a club, you will also be set up to buy your SAM, which is a compulsory fee all club members must buy.
You can join nearly all clubs or societies pending approval from your parent/guardian and approval from the club or society's committee. However, there are a handful of societies that under 18's are not permitted to join even if they have the relevant consent. These societies are Cocktail, Real Ale, and Poker.
You can look at our list of societies here.
You can look at our list of clubs here.