The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a voluntary community organisation providing low-cost learning to older people which enables them to keep mentally and physically active and alert.

The first U3A was founded in Toulouse, France in 1972 to improve the quality of life for older people by bringing them into contact with academic programmes run by the university. The idea spread rapidly in France, with many universities either absorbing older people into existing academic programmes or setting up courses especially for Third Agers. The success of the French experiment led to the rapid spread of U3As to many other countries, particularly in continental Europe. An Inter-national Association of U3As was established by 1975 and has gained recognition from such bodies as the UN and UNESCO.

In the latter part of 1984, the first Australian U3As were formed in Melbourne based on the British style rather than the original French model.