The older you are the better, as students above 50 get 10 per cent off their course fees while those above 60 get a 20 per cent discount.

Each certificate course, usually comprising about 10 hours a week over six to 12 weeks, costs $850 and students will need about 15 courses to obtain a diploma.

UniSIM, set up in 2005 to promote adult learning, is making several other concessions to allow senior citizens to study at their own pace while interacting with younger classmates in a campus setting. They can sign up for a course even without the minimum five O level passes, provided they pass an interview or a test.

Examinations are not compulsory too, if senior students want to qualify for a certificate of attendance instead of a full certificate.

If they do qualify for a certificate, they can go on to accumulate enough course time to graduate with a diploma and then on to a degree in general studies.

At the programme's launch yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng said it stood out because it catered to an individual's interests and offered flexibility.

The new general studies programme was developed by UniSIM and the Council for Third Age (C3A), an independent body that promotes active ageing.

One of the 180 students at UniSIM above 50 is Mr Jagjeet Singh, 62, a retired teacher who is now a full-time school counsellor.

He is now pursuing a degree in counselling and possibly a doctorate in the future. He said: 'Why sit at home when I can learn new things every day.'

Praising Mr Singh's enthusiasm for lifelong learning, Mr Lim, who oversees ageing issues, touched on a key theme of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally speech - Singaporeans who are now living longer will increasingly need to stay employed and active in their senior years.

Said Mr Lim: 'Lifelong learning is an important part of active ageing... It promotes greater self-confidence and keeps us mentally alert. It also opens doors to new worlds of social networks and knowledge.'

Applications for the new programme close on Oct 27.

If heading back to school is not for you, however, Mr Lim suggested other avenues. The Marine Parade Family Service Centre, for example, has started the Young at Heart College to teach seniors life skills such as good mental health, personal home safety and communications.

So far, 500 Chinese-speaking seniors have graduated, said Mr Lim.

In Britain, he pointed out, the University of Third Age offers short Internet-based courses specially designed for seniors to take part in from home.

The C3A and the Infocomm Development Authority are looking at how they can raise IT literacy among seniors.

The council is also working with other partners to teach seniors how to manage their household budget and safeguard their assets, said its chairman Gerard Ee.

mariaa@sph.com.sg