The University of the Third Age is a worldwide movement encouraging people in the “third age” of life to pursue educational, cultural, and recreational interests. Local U3As are self-help, self-managed 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.

Farnham U3A

Established in 1991, Farnham U3A currently has around 1,200 members, drawn from a wide social and academic range. It is open to all – a true University – since anyone may join whatever their qualifications, the only stipulation being is that members should be over 50 and retired or partially-retired. There is no upper age limit. Some of our members are over 90!

U3A provide a wide variety of classes and activities – at present there are over 100. Some are academic; literature, languages, history, and science. Some have a practical content; painting, photography, computing. And some which purely recreational; t’ai chi, yoga, rambling, and bridge. The groups meet only during the day, mostly at Farnham Maltings and the academic year extends over three terms, from mid-September to late June.

Members pay an annual subscription (currently £35) and for this they may join as many groups as they wish, subject to there being space available.