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The National Union of Journalists is the voice for journalism and for journalists across the UK and Ireland working at home and abroad in all sectors of the media as freelances, casuals and staff in newspapers, news agencies, broadcasting, magazines, online, book publishing, in public relations, communications, and as photographers.

The union represents a broad range of media professionals. For more information about the job types and roles that are eligible for NUJ membership, visit the about page of this website.

The NUJ was founded in 1907 and has more than 30,000 members.

If you have an interest in joining, but want more information, please complete this form and we will get in touch with you.

There are several types of membership of the NUJ, but the most common at Edinburgh Freelance Branch are….

Freelance members

If you are a self-employed freelance or contractor, or work for more than one employer on a casual basis, you can apply online to join the NUJ as a freelance member.

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Other types of membership

Temporary freelance members

If you are trying to establish or re-establish yourself as a full-time journalist, yet do not yet earn half of your income from freelance journalism and you don’t have another full-time job, you can apply online to join the NUJ as a temporary freelance member.

Temporary membership can last for up to three years. All temporary freelance members pay an annual membership rate of £60/€69 in the first year, £84/€96.60 in the second year and £102/€117.30 in the third year.

It is now possible to set up a direct debit of £5 a month for temporary membership.(Please note: members paying by direct debit who qualify for a press card will not receive their card until after two months subscriptions have been paid. This is to cover the cost of producing the cards).

Student members automatically qualify for temporary freelance membership once they complete their studies. They are also eligible for a discount on their first annual subscriptio

Student members

You can apply online to join the NUJ as a student member, If you are over 16 and in higher education, either:

  • studying journalism or a related course covering areas in which the NUJ organises (e.g. public relations, website design, book publishing),
  • engaged in journalistic work for a student publication, community media or self-publishing online or in print.

Student membership is £30 / €34.50 and is for the duration of the course.

When they’ve finished their studies, student members automatically qualify for temporary freelance membership and receive a 50 per cent discount on their first year of membership. Student members who start full-time employment once they have finished their studies get a 25 per cent discount on their first year of full membership.

For more information about the benefits of union membership for students, visit the student page on the NUJ website.

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