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Join as a student for only £24 a year

Get your career in music on track right from the start by becoming a member of the MU. From getting your first work as a musician, to building your career in music with trade union protection.

Explore all the benefits
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Member benefits for student musicians

Get help when you need it

Your MU Regional Office will be your first point of contact to call when you have questions or need to talk to an expert about a work issue.

Read more about Get help when you need it
Rebekah Ubuntu

I have used the MU for career development advice at every stage, and how to further my career as a singer-songwriter and electronic music performance artist.

Rebekah UbuntuPerformance artist and musician
Oscar York

I realised the MU would help me achieve my ambitions faster and better by providing connections, legal support, access to insurance for my instrument, and advice to build my career, which is essential for a young musician.

Oscar YorkDrummer and a music scholar
Diljeet Bhachu

I joined the MU because I realised that as a young musician, at the beginning of my career, people expected me to work for little or no fee, and I wasn't happy about it.

Diljeet BhachuFlautist and a PhD researcher

I especially urge any music student to take advantage of student membership – it’s been fantastic for me while studying at a music conservatoire.

Alexander BoneSaxophonist and composer
Billy Watman

As a music student the value for money is fantastic, both for liability and instrument cover.

Billy WatmanClassical and fingerstyle guitarist

*For a trial period only, the MU’s offering student membership to those studying part-time. This offer will be reviewed by the MU Executive Committee in 2025.

Why should music students be members of the MU? 

Formal music education is a brilliant starting point for a career in music, and for many musicians is combined with gaining practical experience working in the industry too. Being a member of the MU will bring you much-needed guidance at every stage in your career, as well as support to help you embark into the music industry job market in the right way.

As well as work experience, expanding your network and getting to know people is a foundational part of beginning to work in the music industry. Through membership of the MU and access to our events, musicians can meet fellow members and relevant music organisations.

Plus, being a member of the MU will you give an extra range of extra educational resources to help build your career, from one off courses on topics such as managing your finances or understanding music copyright laws through to regular sessions for maintaining your wellbeing including Feldenkrais method and yoga.
 

Who can join the MU on a student membership rate?

Musicians can join the MU on a student membership rate if they’re in full-time or part-time education. 

All you need when joining or transferring to this category is proof that must:

  • display the name of the institution
  • show your name
  • confirm you’re already studying the course
  • be dated within two months of joining or transferring to student membership
  • be a scanned or photographed letter or email from the institution

Please note that:

  • student cards aren't accepted as proof
  • offer letters aren’t accepted as proof

Under 16 years old?

  • please send a copy of the photo page of your passport

Join as a student

Are you a graduating student member of the MU?

To help you transition, if you are an existing student member of the MU – after you have graduated, you can get six months of your first year of regular MU membership for free.

Join the MU for a pound

Get support and representation as a young musician

New and emerging artists face many challenges starting out in the music industry. We work with young musicians to highlight relevant advice, create resources, and work with young people across the trade union movement to challenge inequality and injustice at work. 

Be part of community of young musicians

Connect, network and discuss issues that impact musicians' lives and careers, and shaping the work of the MU.

Sign up for Young Member Network for musicians aged 30 and under for regular updates and opportunities to create change in the music industry.

Explore our young musicians hub

Get support and representation as a young musician