Opting Out

All registered students at Imperial College are automatically members of Imperial College Union. The Union's Constitution provides the right for any student not to be a member of the Union, and to signify that he or she does not wish to be represented by it.

If a student does wish to opt out of membership of the Union, we will work with the College to ensure that they shall not be unfairly disadvantaged with regard to the provision of services by having done so. Any student opting out of membership of the Union is also deemed to have opted out of membership of their Faculty Union. They may also not participate in the government of either the Union, Clubs, Soceities or other parts thereof.

What this means is that someone opting out of membership of the Union can still use the facilities the Union provides such as the bars, catering and the shop. They are also entitled to join Clubs, Societies & Projects. What someone opting out cannot do is take part in the government of the Union, which means they cannot join the committee of a Club, Society or Project, the Union or a Faculty Union, stand in or vote in an election or vote in a meeting. The formal definitions for opting out can be found in the Union Constitution, in sections 3.5 and 3.6.

Imperial College Union Constitution 01.08.10 (307 KB)

Anyone who has opted out of membership of the Union may re-join with the permission of Union Council. Opting out of membership of the Union will not reduce your tuition fees. Anyone wishing to opt out of membership of the Union should contact the Membership Services Manager.