University of the Third Age at the College of Polytechnics

General information about the University of the Third Age

The University of the Third Age (U3A) has been organized at the College of Polytechnics Jihlava (VŠPJ) since 2005 and since May 2025 it falls under the Polytechnic Academy of VŠPJ. The Polytechnic Academy of the College of Polytechnics is an umbrella framework for a wide range of educational and developmental activities that go beyond the boundaries of classical university studies. It targets not only secondary school students, but also the general public, academia and professional education. For the public, it offers a children's university, the university of the third age (U3A) and interesting lectures that popularise science and bring the university environment closer to all age groups.

The aim of the U3A is to provide qualified and systematic education in a variety of areas that arise from the accredited programmes of study of the VŠPJ.

The U3A at the College of Polytechnics offers general and non-vocational education at university level to interested seniors (55+).

The U3A programmes at the College of Polytechnics are predominantly one year long. Each programme typically comprises 24 lessons.

The lectures take place in the premises of the college (Tolstého 16, Jihlava) and are implemented within the teaching semesters: winter semester (October–January), summer semester (February–May).

Graduates of the training programmes will receive a certificate of successful completion of training.

The fee for U3A studies at the College of Polytechnics for AR 2024/2025 is 800 CZK per semester.

The newly offered U3A courses are published on the college website in April of each year.

The College of Polytechnics Jihlava is a member of the Association of Universities of the Third Age of the Czech Republic, z.s.

Offer of the University of the Third Age of the College of Polytechnics

University of the Third Age VŠPJ - Jihlava

University of the Third Age VŠPJ - Velké Meziříčí

University of the Third Age VŠPJ - Třebíč

University of the Third Age VŠPJ - Žďár nad Sázavou

Conditions of education at U3A

The prerequisite for studying in U3A is completion of secondary school education with a secondary school leaving examinations (if you don't meet the prerequisite and there is a free place on the course, an exemption can be requested via the form here).

The capacity of each course is determined by its nature or classroom size.

Minimum number of participants required to open a course is 20 (exceptions are decided by the management of the college).

Participation in U3A can be applied for via the electronic e-application form that you can find in each programme's page.

Teaching takes the form of lectures (and excursions) and is delivered by academic staff from the College of Polytechnics or by experts of practice.

Each course consists of 24 lessons (12 lessons in the winter semester = October–January; 12 lessons in the summer semester = February–May).

Lessons are usually held once a week and take 1.5 hours.

60% attendance is required to successfully complete the semester. Attendance sheets from each lesson are used to record attendance.

At the end of the training, the graduate receives a certificate of graduation from U3A (2-year programmes) or a confirmation of graduation from U3V (1-year programmes).

Terms and conditions of study can be found here.

Admission of applicants

Application for training in U3A programmes can be placed through the electronic application form (e-application).

Assistance in completing the e-application will be provided by the staff of the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CCV) of the College of Polytechnics Jihlava.

The period for placing e-applications for training programmes is usually from the beginning of April to July of the given year (or until the maximum capacity is reached).

In the event of excessive interest in a given course, meeting the conditions and the date of submission of the applicant's application will be the criterion for admission.

Information on the opening/non-opening of a given course will be received by the U3A applicant from the CCV staff member in July–August

Information on making a payment for a course will normally be received by the candidate from the CCV officer in August–September (payments are made by bank transfer).

Organization of lessons

Contacts