College subscription rates for 2027
The Trustee Board has agreed that College membership subscriptions will increase by 3% from 1 January 2027.
In setting subscription rates each year, the Board seeks to balance the need to meet the College’s increasing costs with keeping membership affordable and providing good value for members. Against a continuing backdrop of cost pressures, the Board considered that a 3% increase was appropriate for 2027.
The new subscription rates are set out in Tables 1 and 2 below and will take effect from 1 January 2027.
| Membership class | 2027 subscription rate |
|---|---|
| Fellows | 712 |
| Fellows with income less than £64,000 per annum (2026 – £62,000 per annum) | 569 |
| Fellows by examination in first year of fellowship | 355 |
| Fellows by examination in second, third and fourth year of fellowship | 569 |
| Diplomates | 355 |
| Affiliates | 250 |
| Affiliates with more than 5 years membership who are medically qualified | 569 |
| Retired with mailing | 126 |
| Medical examiners | 143 |
| Medical examiner officers | 92 |
| Life membership (one-off payment, no further annual subscriptions) | 950 |
| Membership class | Country band | 2027 subscription rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fellows | A | 394 |
| B | 320 | |
| C | 262 | |
| D | 207 | |
| Fellows by examination in first year of fellowship | A | 284 |
| B | 233 | |
| C | 207 | |
| D | 166 | |
| Fellows by examination in second, third and fourth year of fellowship | A | 317 |
| B | 258 | |
| C | 211 | |
| D | 168 | |
| Diplomates | A | 184 |
| B | 233 | |
| C | 207 | |
| D | 166 | |
| Affiliates | A | 145 |
| B | 118 | |
| C | 98 | |
| D | 90 | |
| Retired with mailing | A | 115 |
| B | 97 | |
| C | 89 | |
| D | 87 | |
| Life membership (one-off payment, no further annual subscriptions) | All bands | 950 |
Reduced subscription rates
We recognise that members’ circumstances vary, and a number of reduced subscription rates are available.
- New fellows by examination: To help with the transition to fellowship, fellows in their first year will pay a subscription aligned with the diplomate rate. In years 2, 3 and 4, they will automatically receive a 20% reduction on the full fellowship subscription. Fellows who joined before 31 December 2024 will continue to receive a 20% reduction for the first 5 years of their fellowship.
- Fellows in the UK earning under £64,000: Fellows whose total income is below £64,000 can apply for a 20% reduction on the full fellowship subscription.
- Parental leave: Reduced subscription rates are available to members taking parental leave.
- Financial hardship: We also operate a scheme under which further reductions may be considered for members experiencing exceptional financial hardship.
Paying by direct debit
Members who do not already do so may wish to consider paying their subscription by direct debit. Payment can be made either annually or monthly. Those choosing the monthly option can spread the cost over 10 equal instalments between 1 February and 1 November.
Tax relief on subscriptions
UK-based members are reminded that College membership subscriptions and examination fees are eligible for tax relief at their marginal rate of tax. This can be claimed through your annual self-assessment tax return.
Life membership
For Fellows who have retired from remunerated practice, life membership provides an alternative to continuing to pay an annual subscription and offers a straightforward way to maintain a lifelong connection with the College.
For a minimum one-off payment of £950, life members retain the full benefits of Fellowship, including:
- continued recognition as a fellow and use of the post-nominals FRCPath
- access to College publications, including the Bulletin, newsletters and professional updates
- eligibility to participate in College events and activities, and opportunities to continue contributing to the profession
- an ongoing connection with colleagues, the College and the future of pathology, without further annual subscription payments.
Life membership recognises that retirement from remunerated practice need not mean retirement from the College. We greatly value the experience and contribution of our retired fellows and hope that life membership provides an attractive way for them to remain part of the College community.
If you would like to change your payment method to annual or monthly direct debit, apply for one of the reduced subscription rates, or enquire about life membership, please contact the Membership team at membership@rcpath.org.
Thank you, as always, for your continuing membership and support of the College. Your subscriptions make an important contribution to our work on behalf of pathology and the wider profession, and we look forward to working with and supporting our members throughout 2027.
Dr John Ashcroft
Daniel Ross
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Dr John Ashcroft