The University of the 3rd Age in Jyväskylä
What is the University of the 3rd Age?
The University of the 3rd Age (U3A) is a scientific meeting spot of knowledge and life experience. It brings together people who are interested in science, societal phenomena, and self-development with the objective of promoting lifelong learning. The U3A in Jyväskylä is a non-formal adult education initiative coordinated by the Summer University of Jyväskylä, a liberal adult education institution founded in 1912. The University of the 3rd Age is a part of the University of Jyväskylä's Science for All activity.
What does the University of the 3rd Age do?
The University of the 3rd Age organizes activities such as a weekly lecture series, different seminars and courses, IT training, and field trips both in Finland and abroad. Our lecture series offer people a chance to listen to professionals and specialists talk about important topics related to health, society, culture and the environment – both in person and online. Lectures are broadcast to the audiences of around 50 educational organizations nationwide as a part of the national U3A network, Verkko-Ikis. You can read more about Verkko-Ikis here (in Finnish).
Our course selection includes, for example, philosophy, literature and culture courses, choir and band activities, and language studies. Additionally, we offer digital advice services with the help of volunteers.
The University of the 3rd Age is open for everyone regardless of their age, location, or previous studies. Teaching is organized both online and on the premises of the University of Jyväskylä. Most of the activities are organized in Finnish.
The main objectives of U3A activities
The University of the 3rd Age offers opportunities for lifelong learning mainly for people who have retired from working life. The activities support aging people’s independent life and aim to prevent premature aging and illnesses related to aging.
The main objectives of the University of the 3rd Age activities are
- supporting and improving aging people's physical, psychological, and social abilities
- offering possibilities for aging people to gain information and energy, maintain and improve their self-esteem, and increase their possibilities to have an impact on matters
- responding to the concrete learning needs of aging people especially in the area of information society skills.
The U3A in Jyväskylä in numbers
- The University of the 3rd Age in Jyväskylä is the leading U3A in Finland, and 2026 is the 41st year that our U3A activities are organized.
- Each year, our weekly lectures are broadcast to the audiences of approximately 50 adult education centers, summer universities, libraries, and other liberal education organizations nationwide.
- Around 70 open-for-all lectures, courses, and seminars are organized yearly.
- In 2025, there were altogether around 26500 participations in U3A activities in Jyväskylä.
More about the University of the 3rd Age
You can read more about our current activities on the U3A website (in Finnish).
Learn more about the historical background of U3A in Finland.