02 IS IT A REAL UNIVERSITY?
2. IS IT A REAL UNIVERSITY?
It is called a university because it offers opportunities to study, to practice new activities and to experience the pleasure of learning together with others, but there are major differences between the U3A and normal universities. For a start, we don’t have students; we have members. You join a local U3A just as you would become a member of a local amateur dramatic society or tennis club. You pay an annual membership fee, which enables you to go to meetings and join groups, to get involved in special interest activities or subjects that interest you. Another difference is that there are no entry qualifications or exams to take. In fact there isn’t an ‘end’ as such; you can carry on with a subject or activity as long as it is on offer. No one will be turfed out for failing, or for not doing enough work.