What is The University of The Third Age?
U3A membership is not related to a specific age but to a phase in one’s life (the third age) which follows the second age of full-time employment and parental responsibility.
The University Of The Third Age began in France in 1972. From there, it spread to many other countries. The UK official website describes the U3A as
” . . . self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.”
The aim of the U3A groups which have been set up in Spain is similar although there is a greater emphasis on recreational and leisure activities.
We have no formal links with and are not part of the U3A movement in the UK.
Here in Spain, each U3A group is autonomous. The annual membership fee of the Moraira-Teulada U3A is 10 euros
Membership is open to people of all nationalities. However, business is conducted in English.