UBES is committed to making outdoor adventure as affordable and accessible as possible. As a non-profit student society, we work to keep the cost of membership, trips, equipment and activities as low as we reasonably can.
The costs below are intended as a guide to help you understand what participating in UBES might cost over an academic year. You can take part as much or as little as you like, and individual trip and activity prices may vary.
Financial Support
If the cost of taking part in student activities is a barrier, Bristol SU’s Activity Hardship Fund can provide eligible students with financial support towards participation costs.
The fund is designed to help students for whom the cost of participating in societies, sports clubs and other student activities may otherwise be prohibitive.
Find out more and apply for the Activity Hardship Fund →
Society Costs
The main costs you are likely to encounter through UBES are:
- UBES Membership – £23 per academic year. Membership is required to access UBES trips, equipment borrowing, training opportunities and other member benefits.
- Weekend Trips – around £50 per trip. This typically includes transport, accommodation, one dinner, two lunches and two breakfasts. Find out more about Weekend Trips.
- Scotland Trip – typically around £300–£400. The exact cost varies from year to year depending on transport, accommodation and the format of the trip. Find out more about the Scotland Trip.
- Summer Expeditions – varies by expedition. Costs depend on the destination, length and nature of each expedition. See Summer Expeditions.
- Socials – many are free. Regular pub socials are free to attend, while larger events such as dinners or organised activities may have an additional cost. See UBES Socials.
- Indoor Climbing – varies by climbing centre and membership type. UBES regularly climbs at Redpoint and Flashpoint in Bristol. Current entry and membership prices are available directly from Redpoint and Flashpoint.
All prices are indicative and may change due to transport, accommodation, food and other external costs.
On weekend trips, UBES does not normally provide food for Friday or Sunday evening, so you should also budget for these meals where necessary.
Equipment Costs
Outdoor activities require suitable clothing and equipment. The exact kit required depends on the activity, and our kit list explains what you will need for UBES trips.
You do not need to buy everything yourself. UBES members can borrow much of the Society’s equipment, helping to keep the cost of getting involved as low as possible.
There are some personal items that you may need to provide yourself. UBES also bulk-buys certain essential items so that they can be offered to members at low cost.
- Head torch – approximately £10
- Survival bag – approximately £1
Availability and prices may vary, so check with the committee or your Trip Leader before relying on purchasing equipment during a trip.
Keeping Costs Down
We do not want the cost of outdoor activities to prevent people from getting involved. Using UBES equipment, choosing the activities that suit your budget and applying for available financial support can substantially reduce the cost of participating.
If you are concerned about the cost of joining an activity or trip, please speak to a member of the committee. We would much rather discuss the options available than have cost prevent someone from taking part.
