U3A in London University of the Third Age

WELCOME TO U3A IN LONDON

The University of the Third Age, or U3A as it is commonly known, was based on an original idea from France and founded in this country in 1981 by Brian Groombridge.in London and by Peter Laslett in Cambridge. As we were the first U3A in London, we continue to use that name, although there are now many more in Greater London and over 700 throughout the country. In common with all others, our U3A consists of a group of men and women who are no longer in full time employment and meet together to study a wide range of subjects. In our case all meetings take place in the old Hampstead Town Hall, on Monday to Friday during term time. There are currently about 160 study groups on offer. All are run by members. No one is paid to teach, and we have no paid office staff.

We are not a university in the modern sense of a body which awards degrees, but in the original sense of a community of people engaged in learning - and learning from each other.

We offer no examinations, certificates or qualifications: we study for the pleasure of learning, and the leaders of our groups are called

"co-ordinators" rather than teachers or lecturers, because learning is seen as a co-operative process.

Like all other U3As we are autonomous: we make our own rules and regulations and are responsible to no higher authority. We receive no government or local authority grant and are entirely self-financing. There is also a national organisation called the Third Age Trust which represents the U3A movement in the UK and provides support, advice and a wide range of services to new and existing U3As.

Once you have paid the annual fee there are no other charges except for some special events. You can attend any study group you wish and also the Monday talks without further payment. The only limitation is that some groups may become full, in which case you may put your name on a waiting list.

Our terms for 2009-10 are as follows:-

Autumn:

21 September to 11 December

Spring:

4 January to 26 March

Summer:

19 April to 16 July

(There are no half-term holidays)

Also see the page on "Special Events" for what happens in the Easter and Summer breaks.