The BUAFL has three levels of team membership:
Full Members: These teams play an eight game regular season, are eligible for the play-offs and have successfully completed an Associate season.
Associate Members: These teams are recently established teams who aspire to Full Membership Status. They have to fulfil a series of requirements during their Associate season including one home and one away game.
Foundation Members: These are embryonic teams who require guidance and support in the establishment of a football programme.
Each season sees an increased interest from universities in establishing a team who can compete in the BUAFL. Establishing a football programme however, comes with many challenges and it is vital for the sustainability of the League that teams are thoroughly prepared to compete in a full season. An Associate season enables teams to participate in fixtures and scrimmages against other teams, whether they are BUAFL or BAFL teams, but ensures that the financial commitment of playing a full season straight off is not a prohibitive burden.
Current programmes under development include those of:
- The Imperial Immortals
- The Swansea Titans
- The Bangor Muddogs
- Kings
- The Manchester Tyrants
- The York Centurians
- The Edinburgh Predators
- The Worcester Royals
- The Exeter Demons
