Universities of the Third Age, or U3As as they are more often called, are voluntary, non-profit organisations which aim to offer older people low-cost educational opportunities which operate in a pleasant, supportive social setting. There are no formal entry requirements, no examinations and no “awards”. U3As are basically self-help groups built on the premise that collectively older people have the skills and knowledge to provide learning opportunities (education) for themselves. After all, “experts” of all kinds in all fields eventually retire! In fact the word “university” in the title is used in its earliest sense – a community of scholars who get together to help each other in a learning/social experience.  The principles of self-help and mutual support are the cornerstone of the U3A movement and while adhering to U3A principles and philosophy, all U3As are autonomous and independent. 

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How and when did the U3A movement begin?

U3A is a world-wide organisation. It began in France in 1968, when legislation was passed that required universities to provide more community education. In 1973 a highly-rated gerontology course was provided by Toulouse University for local retired people, a course which was extremely successful and which led to the formation of what was to be the first U3A. This organisation was open to anyone over retirement age; no qualifications or examinations were required and fees were kept to a minimum.

 

The idea spread rapidly throughout France and then to Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain and across the Atlantic to Quebec and California. When U3A surfaced in Great Britain (in Cambridge), the “model” was to undergo a significant change. Whereas in the French model there were strong ties to the universities, which decided upon, structured and presented most of the courses, in the British model these university ties were to disappear. In the new system there was to be no distinction between the teacher and the taught – members would, as far as possible, be teachers as well as learners. 

 

The late Dr. Peter Laslett (Cambridge University) was responsible for adapting the founding French university-sponsored U3A into a community based model which is common to U3As in Australia.  This British model of U3A was introduced into Australia (Melbourne) in 1984.  The first U3A in South Australia commenced in 1986 with Adelaide Hills following fourteen years later in 2000.

The U3A movement has spread rapidly throughout Australia. There are around 300 U3A groups nation-wide with the U3A movement identified through academic research as being the fastest-growing adult education movement in Australia.

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