The University of The Third Age

The University of Third Age finally received cultural recognition when Jeremy Paxman asked a team on University Challenge,” what educational institution was introduced from France into the UK in 1982 by Michael Young”. Whilst the contestants did not know the answer, they at least did not refer to it as the University of the Third World and U3A now seems to be recognised for what it is - one of the most successful exercises in social co-operation, radical adult education and older age citizenship since World War 2.

Dr. Eric Midwinter, Michael Young and Peter Haslett, the “Founding Fathers”, had the temerity to challenge the British educational and political establishment with the disruptive notion that retired people had the wit, experience and energy to run their own social and educational affairs. Such has been the success of this unique pioneering of the principles of mutual aid, that there are now 140,000 active members in well over 500 U3A groups.

Each local U3Agroup is autonomous of itself, within the greater circle of and enjoying confederate relationship with the national body, the Third Age Trust, whose Resource Centre is open to all members and provide a wealth of material at no cost save for return postage. According to choice, a local U3A group and its members might participate in Regional groupings or subject networks and other activities such as Summer schools.