Students have criticised the University of Edinburgh Sports Union’s move to make them pay a full year’s gym membership.
The controversy first gained attention in late September this academic year, when over 45 of the university’s sport clubs were informed via email their gym membership would have to be upgraded if they wanted to remain in the club. In previous years, students have had to purchase academic-year gym memberships as well as Edinburgh University Sports Union Club membership of the particular club they were interested in, which was already an expensive ordeal.
If implementing the upgrade, club members will now need to pay an extra £40 for the full-year gym membership. Covering the summer months of July and August – when students are usually absent and most clubs are not running – this particular membership offers access to university facilities at an extra cost. Despite this, club members were informed they would have to pay for the full year upfront by 31 October. An option to pay in monthly instalments was not offered.
In an email, the Sports Union told students that this price increase “allows clubs to access University facilities without incurring separate facility hire charges for each session.” It was also stated that members refusing to buy the full-year membership by 31 October “may risk having their Edinburgh University Sports Union Club membership refused or withdrawn.”
In a recent public webinar, the Sports Union attempted to justify this approach by reminding students that Edinburgh’s gym membership fees were still lower than those of a number of other UK universities.
However, individuals from different sport clubs told The Student that tension is at an all-time high within the university’s sport community, as clubs struggle to cope with such financial strain at such short notice.
Members of the field hockey team shared the sentiment that they felt the Sports Union was simply trying to make more money while teams got little to no benefit from the gym facilities even throughout the year. Field hockey is one of many teams suffering expensive fees already, with each student paying up to £450 a year on their various expenses.
One student from a committee of a Sports Union club argued that “our coaches are underpaid, kit prices are not subsidised, [we] have to pay for match transport and cannot get buses paid for.” Though the field hockey team complained about rising fees, they were informed that they would be fined if they did not pay up by the deadline.
At the same time as prices have been increased, the Sports Union has bought a new boat store in Strathclyde at high cost.
Another student on the committee of a Sports Union club highlighted the state of St. Leonards: “It’s home. I love it, but it hasn’t changed in like 10 years… so many sport practices are here, we have volleyball, dance, basketball, boxing, like everyone.”
They continued: “While the Sport Union invests an incredible amount of money for a row house in Glasgow, for one sport, back here in Edinburgh, places like St. Leonards aren’t given the proper upkeep they deserve for multiple sports.”
A student from a Sports Union club committee noted the messages their members have been receiving from the Sports Union: “Recently all of our members which simply have an academic year or semester membership have been receiving emails from the Sports Union telling the recipient that their Sports Union/gym membership is at risk of being revoked. As a committee member, I [thought] I can’t have my membership revoked, can I? I paid the extra fee, but for my members, it simply does not make sense for them to pay a full year membership if they are returning home for the summer.”
They then highlighted the importance of Sports Union-affiliated clubs and societies pushing back against these financial changes as a community:
“The more we can support each other the more we can speak up against [the fee increases]. It can be daunting to take a stand at such a large organisation but when we can rally a collective, we have a lot of bargaining power.”
Smaller sport societies said that they worry that rising costs mean that their membership numbers will reduce even further, until they are too small to continue running.
In response to this concern, the Sports Union has set up a committee sub-group to review the changes and “address the unique challenges faced by smaller clubs.”
A spokesperson for the university said: “Sports club membership and the associated facility membership operate on a 12-month basis, supporting access to training, competition and facilities throughout the year. Students continue to receive excellent value for money compared with equivalent commercial facility hire rates, with fees also remaining among the lowest across Russell Group universities.
“Membership provides access to one of the most comprehensive sports facilities in the UK, and supported by significant investment, helps ensure that students continue to benefit from our world-class sporting environments throughout their time at University.
“We recognise that some students have concerns about the 2026 membership model, and have established a dedicated subgroup with clubs and students to review the approach and gather feedback. We remain committed to working with students to ensure sport is accessible, welcoming, and an important part of the student experience for everyone who wants to get involved.
“Eligible students can apply for a participation grant, which offers up to £300 per semester towards society fees and other costs. Applications for the grant are currently closed but will reopen at the beginning of semester two.”
To further alleviate some of the strain, the cost of gym memberships have been reduced to reflect the remaining period, meaning that if you buy now, you will not be charged for the months which have already passed.
However, the concerns of students and sport societies – that students are being priced out of engaging in sport, and that sport is becoming increasingly inaccessible for the average student against a backdrop of soaring cost of living – has not gone away.
Tackling Elitism, University of Edinburgh’s Widening Participation society, told The Student: “Sports are already inaccessible for Widening Participation students, even with grants. There is already a culture of elitism in many sports, and it’s disappointing to see costs increase — this will only alienate working-class students further.”
Image by Leo Manganiotis for The Student
