University of the Third Age

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a concept of lifelong learning for people of all ages. This special educational program for seniors originated in France.

In the Czech Republic, the first university of the third age was founded in Olomouc in 1986. However, the first academic university was established at the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Prague, and this trend developed fully after 2000.

Currently, most Czech public universities offer this option. There is at least one university of the third age in each region, so everyone really has the opportunity to study at a later age. In addition, other universities are also being established within higher vocational schools and faculties, which are branches of large universities in smaller towns.

The essence of the U3A is:

1. anyone can apply (priority is given to those who have been granted entitlement to an retirement pension)
2. a registration fee is required (in the amount of several hundred Czech crowns per semester)
3. a completed secondary school attendance is required (in some cases, elementary school is sufficient).
4. graduates do not receive a traditional academic degree, but rather a certificate of completion for a specific course

The University of the Third Age is offered at the Theater and Music Faculties of JAMU. Current information and course offerings for U3A can be found on the faculties’ websites.

The Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno is a member of the Association of Universities of the Third Age in the Czech Republic.