U3A s

The Age of Active Retirement

People Exchanging Knowledge

  About                  U3As in General 

What is a University of the Third Age…..U3A? 

A University of the Third Age is a learning community organised by and for People who are in active retirement. The word “University” is used here in the old connotation of the early medieval university where groups of students participated and shared their experience and knowledge.

Another aspect of the “University”  here is in the sense or implication of, “University of Life”  where much of what is shared is the product of life experience, for the benefit of life experience. 

“The Third Age” comes from a definition of a typical lifespan into four ages (stages) which may loosely be described as follows:

The First Age being that of childhood and youthful dependence, leading to the Second Age of independence, maturity, home building and work, leading to the Third Age of active retirement   (emphasis on active). 

Philosophy of U3As 

There are over 300 U3As in the U.K., 120 in Australia and 40 in New Zealand. They vary greatly in size (mostly having a membership of 100-200 members, but some exceed 2000 - 3000). We venture to say that typically they have a philosophy of:

*   Learning for pleasure

*   Catering for retired (third Age) people

*   Learning from each other

*   Self- help

*   Self funding

*   No prerequisites, no examinations, no public awards

Some New Zealand and Autsralian U3As ore linked into Internet networks (We are), mainly for cooperative and information sharing purposes, but there is NO NA TIONAL body, no central  organisation to control courses, teaching methods, venues, etc.. etc. 

Benefits of U3As 

Members have the opportunity to: 

*   Widen their horizons of learning and activities

*   Share/Impart experiences and resources, either as students or tutors

*   Meet people of similar interests

*   Engage in social activities

*   Promote mental, physical, psychological well being

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