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Society memberships (including Associate Memberships for graduates) are available to buy from 17:00 on 1 September. Before you start exploring what’s on offer, we wanted to give you a heads-up that some costs may be higher than last year as Value Added Tax (VAT) now applies to some memberships, events and activities.
This comes as we make some wider changes to how societies are supported. We're giving societies more help from the Activities team, including better training and guidance for committees, simpler processes and improved support for student safety, alongside more opportunities for students to shape decisions that affect their societies.
Why are costs changing?
The Guild and societies are now treated as one organisation for tax purposes. Our combined trading income means we’re now legally required to register for VAT and apply it to certain society activities.
We made this change to take on more responsibility for supporting societies and managing their finances as committees were navigating increasingly complex legal and financial requirements themselves.
VAT is a government tax, so this isn’t money that your society or the Guild gets to keep.
Not everything will increase in price, and the impact will vary between societies. Society committees have been working with us over the summer to understand the changes and set their prices for the year ahead.
What might you notice?
Depending on the society and activity, you may see VAT reflected in the cost of things like:
- society memberships
- tickets for socials and events
- society stash and other activities.
The price you see when buying through the Guild will be the price you pay, so you won't have an extra VAT charge added at checkout.
Worried about the cost of joining in?
We know that some of you may be worried about what this means for you, especially when everything around you is getting more expensive.
We want societies to be communities that students can be part of, whatever their financial situation. That's why our Society Hardship Fund will continue to support students who need financial help to access society memberships and activities. If cost is getting in the way of joining a society or taking part, support is available.
Find your society
All society memberships will be available to purchase from 17:00 on 1 September. Whether you want to carry on with something you love or try something completely new, there are loads of communities waiting for you.
We know you might have questions about these changes. You can find more information below or get in touch with us at activities@exeterguild.com – we’re here to help.
Matt + Abi
Activities Team
