U3A
UNIVERSITY of the THIRD AGE
connecting seniors to lifelong learning
About U3A
U3A is the University of the Third Age and it connects seniors to life long learning.
The University of the Third Age is an international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community, those in their third "age" of life. It is commonly referred to as U3A.
There is no universally accepted model for the U3A. Its original conception in France as an extramural university activity was significantly modified in the United Kingdom where it was recognised that most people of retirement age have something to contribute and the emphasis has been on sharing, without formal links to traditional universities.
U3A membership is not related to a specific age but to a period in one’s life (the third age) after the second age of full-time employment and parental responsibility. Anybody in their third age can join U3A and this includes people who are working part-time. There is no lower age for membership.
Our People
The University of the Third Age is an international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community—those in their third "age" of life.
The U3As are normally based in metropolitan, regional and rural areas, and follow the British self-help model of teaching and learning over a wide range of subject areas, dependent upon the membership's own expertise, knowledge and skills.
U3As do not issue diplomas but rather certificates and teach practically in all fields according to the interests of the groups of elderly students (usually 55+) such as computer skills, languages, entrepreneurship, hereditary law, religion, politics, etc. Sometimes U3As provide groups with vocational training and formal continuous education opportunities.
Our Objectives
U3A is the University of the Third Age and it connects seniors to life long learning.
The U3A can provide a valuable resource in considering many local and national issues.
Membership includes many with experience and expertise in almost all walks of life and letters.
Although strictly non-political, U3A members have time to reflect in a mature fashion on such topics as the operation of public services, crime and punishment, the future of energy supplies, public funding of the arts and so on, and can reply to invitations to engage in public consultations with carefully considered and argued responses.
Our Funding
In keeping with the U3A ethos, U3A is a self-funded, voluntary organisation formed to provide learning opportunities to members aged 50 plus who are retired or not working full-time.
A critical feature of all U3A is the self-determination and self-help principle. A committee of management is elected annually from the membership, and all administration and tutoring is carried out by volunteers. There is an expectation that every member will, at some time, contribute to the extent that they are able.