Fun and Relaxed History Classes at U3A in London

Are you retired or have some free time in the day?

Then you’ll be delighted to discover our fun, relaxed selection of history courses based in old Hampstead Town Hall or if you prefer online on Zoom.

We have classes on offer Monday to Friday during term time run by our members

Our U3A offers …

  • A variety of history classes to choose from
  • Over hundred classes a week in a vast range of subjects
  • Only £75 a year to attend as many classes a week as you wish
  • No qualifications needed to join
  • The chance to study for the pleasure of learning, and teach for the love of teaching
  • Many classes run by experienced ex-teachers or experts in their field
  • An opportunity to make new friends with our 1000+ members
  • Three minutes walk from Belsize Park Tube, nine minutes from Hampstead Heath overground
  • A cafeteria on site
  • Monday Talks by experts
  • Easter Conference and Summer School
  • Re-opening 21st September 2021
  • Covid-19 protocols in place
  • Some classes will still be offered on Zoom

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Some of the history classes we offer…

History: Medieval Spain

Christians, Muslims and Jews in Medieval Spain: Cooperation and Conflict.

Design History

A key element in all contemporary academic design courses are the artefacts produced by a society in its own context. These artefacts from a given period are related to the social, political, economic, technical, and aesthetic conceptions of that time and place and enables us to get a better understanding of those societies. They are manifest in architecture, 3D design, 2D design including photography, textiles and fashion. Although this is possible for any period throughout history and across any culture, these talks will start in 1851 and continue towards our present time.

Art: History

The Other Renaissance: our Friends in the North.

Social Anthropology

Our topic for 2019 – 20 was the History and Social Anthropology of South Africa. I plan to continue this series of classes from where we left off. It would be good to have this background so we can move on to the South African War, General Smuts, the imposition of apartheid and the long struggle against it, Nelson Mandela, the creation of the Constitution, the first elections, the growth of state corruption and the current fight against it. I will also introduce you to some great South African music!

History of the Jews in Spain and Portugal

According to tradition, Jews migrated to the Iberian Peninsula in the time of the 2nd Temple. The crucially important period from the 10th to the 12th century paved the road to ‘The Golden Age’ of Judaism, Islam and later ironically, to Anti-Semitism. It also contributed to 18th and 19th century art, philosophy and the history that made UNESO declare Flamenco a ‘World Heritage Treasure’ in 2016.