Retirees keep fit by degrees

"WHEN working life wanes and it comes time to feed the soul, only the humanities provide the required nutrition." So says the vice-chancellor of Macquarie University, Steven Schwartz, about students who return to study in retirement.

By InvestSMART · 11 Sep 2011

By InvestSMART ·
11 Sep 2011

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Older age certainly did not diminish David and Colleen Walsh's yearning to engage in world affairs.

At 75, David, a former sales representative, and Colleen, then a 71-year-old retired teacher, signed up to a masters of international studies degree program. With that completed, the pair, who are now 84 and 80, set out to attain their master of international relations. After countless essays and exams over nine years, and weekly drives from their home at Ocean Shores on the NSW north coast to Brisbane's Griffith University, the couple graduated last year and garnered thunderous applause.

"When we walked across the stage to receive our degrees from the vice-chancellor, everyone stood up and clapped - we'll never forget it," said David, who, with Colleen, has not ruled out a third degree.

"There are just so many reasons to study later in life and one of them is to keep an active mind. Our classes were so stimulating, partly because we formed remarkable relationships with people from many countries - and that helps create a different view of the world."

They attended formal lectures but thousands of their peers are driving the global education movement known as the "university of the third age". Underpinned by the principle of healthy ageing through life-long learning, the "U3A" trend is often run by volunteer tutors and courses have no entrance requirements or exams.

At Macquarie, the most popular U3A courses are ancient history, Egyptology and creative writing.

"Not once have I encountered a retiree at graduation ceremonies whose return to university was driven by a passion for accounting or marketing or business administration," Professor Schwartz said.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

Why are retirees returning to university and enrolling in degrees in retirement?

Many retirees return to study to keep an active mind, pursue personal passions and 'feed the soul'—often choosing stimulating humanities subjects that expand their view of the world. The article highlights retirees who completed master's degrees later in life and describes lifelong learning as part of healthy ageing.

What is the University of the Third Age (U3A) and how does it work for older learners?

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a global education movement focused on healthy ageing through life-long learning. U3A courses are often volunteer-taught, have no entrance requirements or exams, and are designed to be accessible and social for older adults.

Can retirees study formal degrees with essays and exams, or is it mostly casual learning?

Retirees can do both. The article describes David and Colleen Walsh, who in their 70s undertook formal master's degrees—completing essays and exams over nine years at Griffith University—while thousands of peers opt for U3A-style non-assessed courses.

Which types of courses do older students tend to prefer at universities like Macquarie?

At Macquarie University, the most popular U3A courses for older learners are in the humanities—specifically ancient history, Egyptology and creative writing—reflecting a strong interest in culturally rich and stimulating subjects.

How does studying later in life benefit retirees’ wellbeing?

According to the article, lifelong learning helps keep the mind active and stimulating classes foster remarkable relationships with people from many countries, which contributes to a different view of the world and supports healthy ageing.

Are older students welcomed and recognised at university ceremonies?

Yes. The article recounts how David and Colleen received thunderous applause when they graduated, and that such recognition is a memorable part of returning to university later in life.

Do retirees choose business-focused degrees when they return to study?

No—Professor Steven Schwartz at Macquarie notes he has not encountered retirees driven by a passion for accounting, marketing or business administration; many return to pursue humanities and personally meaningful subjects instead.

How might everyday investors connect the trend of retirees studying with retirement lifestyle planning?

The article suggests that lifelong learning is a key component of healthy ageing and a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. For everyday investors, this trend highlights that retirees value active minds, social engagement and personal enrichment—factors to consider when planning for quality of life in retirement.