An International Perspective on the University of the Third Age

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a highly successful adult education movement that is providing opportunities for older adults to enjoy a range of activities associated with well‐being in later life. Two substantially different approaches—the original French approach and the British approach that evolved a few years later — have become the dominant U3A models adopted by different countries. In many countries, communication between U3As is limited; there is even less communication between U3As in different countries. Thus little that is readily accessible has been written about U3A developments internationally. We provide an overview of the U3As in many countries that is based on information obtained from colleagues in a number of countries on U3As in their region.