The Benefits of Membership

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UC Berkeley celebrates the insatiable curiosity of older adults ages 50+ and their ongoing quest to learn about, engage with, and contribute to the world around them. As an OLLI @Berkeley member, you gain access to:

• Relevant and revelatory courses — exclusively for members — in history, politics, science, literature, music, the arts and more taught by Berkeley professors and other scholars
• Speaker events featuring leading thinkers on campus and in the community exploring some of the most critical issues of our time
• Intergenerational dialogues with Berkeley undergraduates focused on topics of importance to all
• Opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research with UC partners
• Interest groups, meetups, social gatherings and field trips organized and led by members

Membership Types

We offer four types of membership. Course fees are separate and are based on your choice of membership. 

Membership Types, Explained

All membership types give you access to courses, speaker events, workshops, clubs, activities and more.

Single Term:

• Good for one term
• Makes the most sense if you plan to take one or more courses during a single term and not again within a year

Annual:

• Perfect if you think you'll take at least two courses over the span of four consecutive terms (12 months) 
• This is a popular option!

Premium: 

• The most cost effective option if you plan to take six or more courses over the span of four consecutive terms 
• Pay NO course fees for lectures (the majority of our courses) — sign up for as many as you want!
• Enjoy steep discounts on a handful of smaller, workshop-like courses

Encore Only:

• Gives you access to our popular Encore courses only and not to our lecture and workshop courses
• Two Encore courses are offered per term typically  
• Encore courses are videos of popular courses recorded a previous term plus one livestream conversation with the faculty

Join OLLI

Fee Assistance

We welcome everyone with a passion for learning! If you or someone you know is interested in joining our learning community and diving into courses, events, lectures, and more, but cost is a barrier, please apply for fee assistance. With fee assistance, you'll enjoy 50% off an Annual membership (a $50 discount) and up to 83% off individual course fees. Learn more.

Course Types, Explained

• Lecture (type A): A large-size class. Faculty members lecture with varying amounts of Q&A. Most of our courses are lectures.
   
• Workshop (type C): Small, hands-on courses with direct interaction with faculty. Courses are typically writing or art focused.
   
• Encore (type D): Popular courses recorded a previous term plus a livestream conversation with the faculty. Typically three Encore courses are offered per term.

Discounts on Membership

Members of the following groups receive a $10 discount on all types of memberships. One discount per member. Course fees cannot be discounted. Fee Assistance memberships are not eligible for additional discounts.

• Cal Alumni Association
• Current or retired faculty and staff at UC Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, or UC Office of the President

Campus & Community Discounts

Cal Alumni Association (CAA) — $10 off membership

OLLI members will receive a $10 discount on a $60 Senior Citizen annual membership at the Cal Alumni Association (CAA). CAA members receive many benefits of interest to OLLI members, such as library access at all UC campuses and discounts on performance tickets at many Bay Area venues.

UC Botanical Garden — $15 off membership

OLLI members can join the UC Botanical Garden as Cal Affiliates (see Cal Affiliate Membership) and save $15 on an individual or family membership.

Berkeley Arts and Letters — up to 50% discount

Berkeley Arts and Letters extends its student discount to OLLI members on advance tickets purchased through their website. Just select the “student discount” option (when available) for ticket purchases, and present your OLLI membership card at check-in to verify your student eligibility.