GitHub Copilot for Business at Imperial

What is GitHub Copilot for Business?

GitHub Copilot for Business is the enterprise version of GitHub Copilot, designed for organisations. At Imperial, all staff members access Copilot through a Business license rather than the individual Pro plan.

Benefits over the Pro plan

Copilot for Business provides staff with several advantages:

  • Increased AI credits - More generous quota for AI-powered features
  • Access to more powerful models - Use advanced large language models (LLMs) optimised for complex coding tasks
  • Centralised billing and recharging - Simplified procurement and cost allocation to departments
  • IP indemnity - GitHub defends you against claims that Copilot-generated code infringes third-party intellectual property
  • Data privacy - By default, no Imperial data is used to train LLMs. Your code and conversations are not used to improve the models

Cost and billing

GitHub Copilot for Business costs $19 per user per month. This includes 1,900 AI credits. Once these credits have been exhausted, usage continues at published per-credit rates. Each user has a monthly allowance of additional AI credits beyond the default 1,900 credits. You can find your current allowance by clicking the GitHub Copilot icon in Visual Studio Code:

AI credit usage in percent

AI credit usage in numbers

The cost for all staff, whether Imperial-funded or externally funded, is funded centrally by the ICT department under a fair usage policy. A usage limit is set for each user (as described above). Once this limit is reached, most Copilot features will stop. If you require additional usage, you’ll need to set up an Azure subscription using the process below.

Additional usage beyond the fair usage limit

If you require additional usage beyond the fair usage limit, you will need to set up an Azure subscription and request a recharge through your group’s cost code.

  1. Cost code - You must have a cost code for your group.
  2. Azure Subscription - You must have an Azure Subscription linked to your cost code. Request one using the Azure Subscription request form.
  3. Azure Subscription linked to a GitHub cost centre - When completing the Azure Subscription request form, mention that this is for GitHub Copilot usage so the relevant team can attach your subscription to the GitHub cost centre. If you would like a budget applied to your subscription, please provide the budget amount when completing the request form.

Billing flow

The billing process works as follows:

Imperial cost centre → Azure Subscription → GitHub cost centre (budget applied) → GitHub user account

Your cost code funds an Azure Subscription, which is linked to a GitHub cost centre. When you use GitHub Copilot, costs are deducted from your group’s GitHub budget. This approach allows ICT to track usage and costs by group and cost code.

Next steps

To request a GitHub Copilot for Business license, see Requesting access.

Further reading