U3A is an international movement which has been operating in Australia since 1984. It provides learning and social opportunities for people in their ‘Third Age’, the post-retirement stage of life when they have time to widen their horizons.

U3As are voluntary, non-profit organisations which offer retired people low cost educational opportunities to help them stay active in mind and body. There are no formal entry requirements, no examinations, and no awards.

U3As are basically self-help volunteer groups enabling older people to gain or maintain skills and knowledge, and provide learning opportunities at the lowest possible cost. Target groups are retired or semi-retired people over 50-years-of-age.

The movement follows the medieval concept of 'University' as a community of scholars where there is no distinction between teachers and students. A leader of one class is likely to become a student in another class. All the work is done by volunteers who lead, convene and coordinate courses, provide catering, undertake the administration and work on the management committee. Volunteers make the concept of the U3A possible.

The first U3A in New South Wales was established in the Shoalhaven district in the mid-1980s. There are now close to 60 autonomous U3As in NSW, with a total of more than 20,000 members. City U3A has been established to provide courses in the City of Sydney local government area, with its population of more than 160,000, including 40,000 people over 50 years-of-age. It offered its first courses in 2009.  The annual membership fee is $40.00, valid until 30 June 2011.

The Rules of City U3A Incorporated as registered with the Department of Fair Trading are available by clicking here.

Click the tab JOIN at the top of this page for a membership application form and other details.