The College is committed to providing fair and transparent policies regarding membership subscriptions and refunds. Below is our refund policy and addresses frequently asked questions to ensure clarity for all members.
Membership fees cover the full membership year from 1 October to 30 September. Members can choose to pay the full amount or spread the cost across different instalments.
Refund policy
Full Refunds: Members are eligible for a full refund if the request is made before 1 December of the current membership year
Partial Refunds: After 1 December, refunds will only be considered in cases of membership category changes or exceptional circumstances
Pro-rata Refunds: In cases of approved refunds after 1 December, the amount will be calculated on a pro-rata basis from the date of notification
New Members: Individuals joining after 1 April will be charged a pro-rata fee for the remainder of the annual membership year. This pro-rata fee is non-refundable
Direct Debit: Members paying via direct debit who choose to cancel their membership after 1 December will be invoiced for the remaining balance of the annual subscription
Deceased Members: In the event of a member's death, we will provide a full refund. Once we receive visibility of the death certificate, the refund will be issued back into the original paying bank account
If you request a refund before 1 December, you are eligible for a full refund of your membership fee. After 1 December, refunds are generally not provided unless there is a change in your membership category.
If you notify us of your change in status before 1 December, you may be eligible for a pro-rata refund from the date of notification. After 1 December, refunds are only considered for changes in the membership category.
Yes, you are eligible for a partial refund for the remaining difference in fee when changing your membership category. We will refund the difference between the full membership fee and the reduced fee for the remaining months of the membership year.
If you inform us of your maternity leave before it begins, we will refund the difference between full membership and the appropriate reduced rate, calculated from the start date of your leave.
If you cancel your membership before 1 December, you'll receive a refund for the remaining months of membership, calculated from the month of your cancellation notice. However, if you cancel after 1 December, you will be invoiced for the remaining months of the membership year, which you will be required to pay.
While the 1 December deadline is our standard policy, we recognise that exceptional circumstances may arise. These are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
We understand that financial circumstances can change unexpectedly. While our policy generally does not allow for refunds after 1 December, we are committed to supporting our members during challenging times. If you're facing financial difficulties that affect your ability to maintain your membership, we encourage you to explore the College's Benevolent Fund.
The College membership year runs from 1 October to 30 September
All subscriptions are due on 1 October each year
Changes in category advised by 31 December will be applied to the whole year
Reduced rates are available upon request, subject to eligibility
Contact us
For any further questions or to request a refund, please contact our Membership Services team on phone +44 (0) 207 766 4392, email: membership@college-optometrists.org