Chinnor & District U3A

Home | The U3A | Activities | Interest Groups | U3AMeetings | Interest Group Meetings

News & Information | Sheila’s Events | Links

The University of the Third Age

* The University of the Third Age originated in 1972 in France with strong government financial and administrative support.

* The University of the Third Age in the UK was started by the creation of The Third AgeTrust as a registered charity and limited company in 1982. In the UK there was no government support or support from the universities and the organization was based upon self help and voluntary effort with “Third Agers” relying upon their own efforts and experience and skills. It remains largely the case to this day although there is considerable support for the whole concept of life long learning and a number of U3As have benefited from the award of lottery grants to help with the purchase of equipment and general development.

* In the UK, groups affiliated to the Third Age Trust are more commonly known as U3As.  Each U3A is autonomous and self governing whilst adhering to the basic principles set out in the Third Age Trust charter for U3As. The main purpose remains to encourage lifelong learning for those no longer in full time gainful employment.

* It is a basic tenet that learning is for pleasure and no qualifications are sought or awarded.

* The U3A movement has experienced explosive growth since it was first established in the UK in the early 1980s. Today there are well over 500 individual U3As with a total membership of over 130000 and the number of U3As and members continues to grow.

Top of page

Home | The U3A | Activities | Interest Groups | U3AMeetings | Interest Group Meetings

News & Information | Sheila’s Events | Links

Web Organiser: Molly Milner

Page last updated: 14 May 2010

Kite picture by kind permission of Gerry Whitlow