University of the Third Age - Guildford

About Us

The Guildford Area University of the Third Age(U3A) is an educational self help organisation for those working part time or retired. 

It is run by volunteers, has over 1,800 members, and offers over 120 interest groups covering topics from craft, music, languages, literature, discussion, technology, indoor and outdoor sports pursuits to outings and visits.

The Third Age Trust is the national representative body for the Universities of Third Age (U3As) in the UK.  U3As are 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.

Today's U3A

‘Older’ people today are ‘Younger’ than at any time in history and U3A members particularly so.  They are greedy for information, which continually enhances their lives and are eager for continued learning.

Their interests include foreign languages, music, theatre and play reading, art, creative writing, local history, computing, physical sciences, architecture, geology, religion, archaeology, biological sciences, literature, current affairs, bird watching, gardening etc. 

Programmes of activities such as theatre and concert visits, crafts, outings to places of historical or general interest are planned together with many study tours, which are organised both in the UK and abroad.

How to Join a U3A

U3A membership is not related to a specific age but to a period in one’s life (the third age) after the second age of full-time employment and parental responsibility.  Anybody in their third age can join U3A and this includes people who are working part time.  There is no lower age for membership. 

All U3As are different as the skills and talents of their members define what they can offer so if you find more than one local group in your area you would be advised to contact all of them to see what is on offer.  

The annual subscription for Guildford U3A is £25 per annum, and this enables members to join as many interest groups as they choose.