Q1: When does the subscription year start and end?

You can subscribe at any time. The subscription year will run on a 12 month cycle from the date of your first subscription payment

Q2: If I re-join as a previous member, do I need to repay membership fees?

Previous members who cancelled their annual subscription will be readmitted to membership at any time, paying a full 12 months subscription payment for the year ahead. No charges will be made for the period you were not a member.

Q3: How do I renew my membership each year?

Payment for your second or subsequent year of membership will be taken automatically using the same bank card details that you used for your previous year of membership. If your bank card details have changed, then you will need to update your account by accessing your membership and updating your bank card details. If you have provided us with a valid email address and automatic renewal of your membership is not successful, then you will receive a renewal notification by email.

Q4: How much will my membership cost?

Subscriptions are reviewed annually and the full rates for 2026 are as follows:

Full Membership

Single Journal Subscription: £65.00 per annum

Student Membership (18+; Undergraduate to Postgraduate)

Single Journal Subscription: £15.00 per annum

Q5: Verification of Membership Eligibility

We reserve the right, at any time and without prior notice, to undertake such checks and request information or documentation we reasonably consider necessary to verify that you meet the eligibility requirements of your membership. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence within a reasonable timeframe may result in the suspension or termination of your membership.

Q6: Do you provide any support to members experiencing financial difficulties or a change in personal circumstances?

We can provide temporary reduced rates for full members who are experiencing financial difficulties which affects their ability to pay a full rate subscription. Please email membership@royalinstitutephilosophy.org with proof that your total income is £25,000 per annum or below after tax. If your situation is fixed, for example on medical grounds and you are unable to get a job as a direct result of your situation, then you will be asked to provide a letter from your GP/Doctor/Hospital or equivalent body, which states that you are unable to get any other job for which your work experience, skills, training and education would make you qualified. You will only be required to do this once and will not be asked to apply for a reduction in membership subscription each year.

Q7: How do I make or renew my membership payment?

Subscriptions may be paid by a credit or debit card online at the point of purchase. All credit card payments will be collected in GB Pounds. The Royal Institute of Philosophy uses the payment processing and validating service provided by Stripe Inc, so the credit or debit card used must be acceptable to this service. The Royal Institute of Philosophy can accept no responsibility for any of the actions of Stripe Inc. Subscription payment is annual and is an automatically recurring payment. As long as your bank card remains active, all ongoing membership payments will be taken automatically. You do not

have to do anything.

The Royal Institute of Philosophy can accept no responsibility for the approval of such a mandate by a bank or credit card issuing body (financial institution) nor can it accept any responsibility for any action taken or not taken by such a financial institution or agent acting on behalf of the financial

institution. The Royal Institute of Philosophy can accept no responsibility for any action by a financial institution or agent acting on behalf of the financial institution that result in failure by The Royal Institute of Philosophy to receive payment.

Q8: How do I cancel my membership payment?

Refunds are available within the first 12 weeks of the last subscription payment date and this can be arranged by contacting membership@theroyalinstitutephilosophy.org

Thereafter, your membership will remain active until the anniversary date of the previous payment. Members can cancel their subsequent year of membership by deleting their payment details from their online membership account at any time. If payment details are not removed, then subsequent annual subscription payments will remain active. Members who cancel their membership will not be contacted about re-joining.

Q8: How do I change my membership type?

After 12 weeks of an active membership you will not be able to change your existing membership until the next 12 month payment anniversary date of your account.

Q10: What are my options on taking a journal subscription as part of my membership?

You will be given an option to receive an online copy of either of the two journals produced by the Royal Institute of Philosophy at no extra cost, Philosophy or Think. This will give also give you access to the archive of your chosen journal, whilst your membership is active.

Q11: What are the conditions of sale of a Royal Institute of Philosophy journal?

The Royal Institute of Philosophy supplies its journals to members for personal use only. As part of your journal subscription the purchaser undertakes to abide by the following conditions: Publications ordered or received from The Royal Institute of Philosophy are solely for your personal use and should not be ordered on behalf of any library, institution, or company or of any bookseller. You are not able to transfer ownership or control of copies of journals in print to any third party nor allow them to be used by others and nor can you allow access to any electronic files by any individual other than yourself NOR use your access for any other individual or organisation. Failure to honour this may result in the withdrawal of membership privileges. Failure to comply with the conditions for the purchase of journal subscriptions may result in the withdrawal of membership privileges

Q12: Can I receive my journal in print?

Currently the journal option for membership is only available for one of our journals and then only in the online format. However, members can purchase an additional journal subscription in print or in a virtual format at the rates shown on the Royal Institute of Philosophy publications page on their website.

Q13: How do I access my chosen journal?

Access to the online journal you have chosen as part of your membership is provided by an online link. The Royal Institute of Philosophy reserves the right to withdraw access to any electronic journal without notice if it considers the usage unreasonable or excessive.

Q14: Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us, which is why we make sure that you are in control of what we do with your personal information. For details, please see our privacy policy at https://royalinstitutephilosophy.org/news/privacy-policy/ 

As a member The Royal Institute of Philosophy will send you information regarding the activities, products and services that are part of your membership subscription benefits. To opt out of receiving these please contact membership@theroyalinstitutephilosophy.org

Please note, once your membership has ceased, we keep a record of your membership in our archive which will not be used for any promotional purpose after 12 months. If you wish for your information to be deleted, please contact membership@theroyalinstitutephilosophy.org

Changes to these Terms and Conditions

The Royal Institute of Philosophy reserves the right to change these terms and conditions without notice.