The University of the Third Age (U3A)  is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full-time employment (Third Agers) with leisure time available in which to expand their knowledge, share interests or acquire new skills, meet like-minded people and make new friends.

Although it is called a university, no educational qualifications are required and membership is open to all men and women with a desire to learn for learning's sake.

The ethos of the U3A is to share knowledge and experiences and to develop one's own capabilities by learning from other members.

The U3A was launched in France in 1972 and the movement has now spread worldwide.

In the UK, each local U3A is autonomous.  This is our strength, in that members decide what they would like to do and then make appropriate arrangements.

For more about the University of the Third Age, visit www.u3a.org.uk