Membership FAQs

When will I receive my membership welcome pack and card?

You should receive your membership welcome pack and card within 21 days of the start of your membership.

In the meantime, you can still visit the Gallery or book tickets in advance of your visit via your online account at myaccount.courtauld.ac.uk.

How do I book my free ticket(s) online?

To book tickets, please log in to your account at myaccount.courtauld.ac.uk and select from the ‘Adult’ ticket options – your free entry will be applied at checkout.

For the best possible experience and to guarantee entry at a particular time, we recommend that Friends and Patrons book tickets online in advance to visit the Gallery and our special exhibitions. A limited number of tickets are available for Friends and Patrons once general tickets have sold out and we also hold back several daily walk-up tickets for our Friends and Patrons, available on a first come, first-served basis.

How many times a year can I visit?

Friends get free unlimited entry to The Courtauld Gallery, collection displays, and exhibitions all year round. Please remember to book a timed ticket in advance of your visit via your online account at myaccount.courtauld.ac.uk. You will need to show your e-ticket(s) on a mobile device on arrival to confirm your booking along with your membership card – remember to also show your membership card in the Art Café and The Courtauld Shop for your 10% discount.

If you hold a Friend plus guest or Friends’ Circle membership, you may invite one unnamed guest to accompany you for free to visit The Courtauld Gallery, collection displays, and exhibitions. Please note guests do not have access to any other membership benefits.

Who can use my membership card?

The membership card may only be used by the named cardholder. If you would like to bring a guest with you each time you visit, you may be interested in the Friend plus guest or Friends’ Circle membership.

Membership is non-transferable and additional identification for admission may be required.

What happens if I need a replacement membership card?

If your membership card has been lost or stolen, please contact us on +44 (0)20 3947 7749 or email membership@courtauld.ac.uk. A replacement card will be sent to you within 14 days, free of charge on the first occasion. Any subsequent replacement cards provided may incur an administrative fee of £5.

Where can I find out about forthcoming exhibitions?

Keep an eye out for your monthly Friends e-newsletter, as we share your benefits, exclusive offers, and the latest news from across The Courtauld by email. If you are not receiving these emails and would like to, please contact us at membership@courtauld.ac.uk.

To find out more about our exhibitions and events, please visit our website at courtauld.ac.uk/whats-on.

Can I upgrade my membership?

Yes! You can upgrade your membership at any point. This can be done over the phone. The difference in fee will be taken in a one-off card payment to upgrade the membership. Membership upgrades are for the remainder of the membership period. They cannot be paid pro-rata and cannot be carried over.

How do I renew my membership?

We will email to remind you when it is time to renew. Memberships paid by Direct Debit renew automatically, unless you tell us otherwise.

How do I purchase a Friends eGift membership voucher?

You can purchase a Friends eGift membership voucher online for the relevant membership type and fee. You will then receive an order confirmation email and an eGift voucher, which you will need to forward to the gift recipient in order for them redeem the Friends eGift membership voucher online.

How do I cancel my membership?

Friends are at the heart of The Courtauld community and provide vital support to our work. If you would like to discuss your level of support, or wish to cancel, please contact us on +44 (0)20 3947 7749 or email membership@courtauld.ac.uk.

Please note: Direct Debit cancellations must be received by email.

I would like to pay by monthly Direct Debit, how does this work?

Payments are made in monthly instalments on or shortly after the 1st, 15th or 25th of the month depending upon when you join. We’ll enclose a Direct Debit payment schedule in your order confirmation email showing the amount and date for each payment. Monthly Direct Debit renewals are also taken on or shortly after the 1st, 15th or 25th of the month depending upon when you join.

Please note: it is not possible to pay for Friend Alumni membership in monthly instalments. However, you can pay by annual Direct Debit or by credit/debit card.

I would like to pay by annual Direct Debit, how does this work?

The first payment is made on or shortly after the 1st, 15th or 25th of the month depending upon when you join. We’ll enclose a Direct Debit payment schedule in your order confirmation email showing the amount and date of this payment. Annual Direct Debit renewals are taken on the 1st, 15th or 25th of the renewal month depending upon when you joined.

Please note: it is not possible to pay for Friends eGift membership vouchers by monthly or annual Direct Debit. However, you can pay by credit/debit card.

Direct Debit Guarantee

• The Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits
• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Courtauld will notify you (normally 10 working days) in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request The Courtauld to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request
• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by The Courtauld or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society
• If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Courtauld asks you to
• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify The Courtauld by email

Contact us

For membership enquiries, please contact our membership team on +44 (0)20 3947 7749 or email membership@courtauld.ac.uk.

The Membership Office opening hours are Monday – Friday, 10.00 – 17.00. For further information about membership, please read our membership T&Cs.

Membership Office
The Courtauld, Somerset House, Strand
London WC2R 0RN

^{Courtauld Institute of Art (company no 4464432) is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011}