The UB’s University of Experience, new member of the International Association of Universities of the Third Age

The University of Experience (UdE) at the University of Barcelona has been accepted as a new member of the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (AIUTA), the world’s leading network of universities promoting education and research in the field of the third age. The membership was made official during the annual meeting of the AIUTA Board of Directors recently held in Prague, with the unanimous approval of its members and chaired by Professor François Vellas. The director of the University of Experience, Carles Buenacasa, and the head of the UB’s Area for Further Training, Adriana Peña, took part in the event.  

In this way, the UB aligns itself with leading international education institutions working towards an inclusive, intergenerational university model committed to the personal and social development of older people. AIUTA aims to provide an international framework for promoting lifelong higher education and encouraging research into active ageing and the cultural and social participation of senior citizens. 

The University of Experience is a well-established educational programme at the UB aimed at people over 55. It is academically attached to the Office of the Vice-Rector for Academic Policy and is part of the institutional strategy to guarantee a high-quality educational offering that responds to the University’s social commitment, as established in the 2025-2029 Governance Plan. The programme is based on three main areas: university programmes taught in various UB faculties, seminars on specific topics and complementary activities that promote an active lifestyle from a physical and intellectual perspective. 

With more than 15 years of history, the University of Experience has undergone sustained growth. For the 2025-2026 academic year, 2,034 people have pre-registered for a total of 920 places, leaving 1,114 on the waiting list. The Faculty of Geography and History and the Faculty of Philology and Communication are the most in demand. The programme is distinguished by its high academic standards and the social and emotional value they bring to those who participate, many of whom are resuming or beginning university studies after decades away from the classroom. 

Since its creation, the UdE has promoted spaces for interaction and shared learning and has committed to innovative projects, such as the Erasmus+ 60 programme, aimed at senior students in Europe. Now, joining AIUTA represents a step forward for the programme’s international reach and an opportunity to establish synergies with other institutions that are also committed to being inclusive and open to all ages.