Gary Neville and Class of ’92 launch plans for a university in Old Trafford

Gary Neville, centre, launching UA92

The Class of ’92, a group of former Manchester United players led by Gary Neville, has set up a higher education institution to offer degrees in media, business and sport.

University Academy ‘92 has the backing of Lancaster University, Microsoft, Trafford Council, Trafford College and property giant Bruntwood and will teach the degree courses from a new campus in Trafford.

It plans to welcome the first students in September 2019 to the campus, which would be on the old Kellogg’s site on Talbot Road, Old Trafford.

Neville and his former teammates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, say the degree courses will integrate academic, personal, and professional development and provide a “bold and innovative” alternative to a traditional university degree.

UA92 students will have paid work placements with a business or other organisation as an integral part of their studies and Microsoft has already signed up as a founding business partner in the project.

UA92 sys the courses have been designed to attract students who might not otherwise have gone to university as well as traditional university entrants looking for a broader formative experience that enhances life skills as well as employability.

The curriculum will include a focus on providing students with ten attributes: academic learning, life skills, work experience, how to survive in demanding workplace situations, leadership skills, peer group analysis, participative learning, fitness, and presentation and financial skills.

Project founder Gary Neville said: “I have always believed that success is down to more than just having talent and good luck. There should be no limits to what you can achieve with the right preparation.

“Our aim is that UA92 graduates would leave with an academic qualification, of course, but also with a range of other skills such as how to deal with pressure, understand finance, leadership and presentational skills, and also how to maintain a healthy body and mind. In other words, the complete package you need to succeed in the workplace.”

Professor Mark E Smith, the vice-chancellor of Lancaster University, added: “We were very interested in the ideas presented by the Class of 92 because they matched closely with a number of things Lancaster already does very well, particularly innovation, widening participation and employability. We therefore felt we could make a strong contribution to a project which seeks to do things differently. This is a good time to test the appetite for a venture of this nature for two reasons. Firstly, the government wishes to open up the Higher Education marketplace to new and innovative ways of delivery. Secondly, businesses are becoming increasingly interested in how Higher Education can prepare students for working life. This project is designed to address both of those ideas head on.”

Alongside the launch of UA92, Trafford Council has published a masterplan setting out how the new campus and student accommodation will also be a catalyst for economic, community and physical regeneration, transforming parts of Old Trafford and Stretford and a three-month consultation will take place.

Sean Anstee, leader of Trafford Council, said: “We will now proceed to the public consultation phase of the project and see what local people think of the idea.

“In my view it presents a fantastic opportunity to revitalise and support our local communities. It will create jobs and attract 6,500 students to the borough by 2028. Trafford already has some of the best performing schools in the country, as well as a rich and successful history of sport and business, so it is an ideal home for this new and exciting education initiative. With Manchester United Football Club, Lancashire County Cricket Club and Media City on our doorstep not to mention more than 11,000 businesses, UA92 students will find it an inspirational location in which to study.”

Law firm Kuits advised the Class of ’92 on the project.

 

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