Multilevel Analysis of the British Model of U3A: History, Management, Learning and Teaching, and Participants’ Experiences

Multilevel Analysis of the British Model of U3A: History, Management, Learning and Teaching, and Participants’ Experiences

This study examined the U3A, the learning organization of older people in the UK. The characteristics of U3A in the UK were examined from the multilevel analysis framework, adapted from Bray(2004). This british model was the 'self-help model', which was initiated due to neo-liberalism in 1970s. UK U3A had the bottom-up style of management; flexible role of teacher and student; and buffet or cafeteria style of subjects. U3A was connected to the tradition of adult liberal education, having no assessment, non-vocational programme and independent curriculum. In U3As, members preferred discussion method and academic subjects like philosophy, psychology, and history etc. Considering members' background, many of them used to have professional jobs; high educational level; and currently have good financial and health condition. Therefore, as Findsen(2005) pointed out, the UK U3A was related to middle-class culture.