A class apart from the rest

Prof Simon Guy, left, and Gary Neville, centre

Footballer turned businessman and property developer Gary Neville has declared that launching a new university in Manchester will be the biggest achievement of his career.

The aim of UA92 in Old Trafford is to give people from all walks of life a chance to study for a degree that will set them on the way to a professional career.

The new university will look to do things differently to traditional academia with the focus on preparing students for the world of work.

The plan is to attract students who might not otherwise have gone to university as well as traditional entrants looking for a “broader formative experience” that enhances life skills as well as employability.

At the centre of UA92 philosophy is the ‘Target Talent Curriculum’, which seeks to put personal development at the core of the learning experience.

The new university will be next to Lancashire’s cricket ground and partners in the project include the cricket club and Lancaster University. It is looking to open in September.

Professional services firm KPMG is also involved in the project, which is looking to help tackle social mobility in higher education.

Speaking last year, former England player Neville, said: “If we can help improve young people’s lives and help them get into work then I will see that as the greatest achievement of my life.”

“We are trying to do something completely different. What we are trying to do could completely change the Higher Education sector. This has always been an industry facing project and the aim is to help young people get into the world of work.”

The university is the brainchild of Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’, which as well as Gary includes his brother Phil, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

Almost £3m in funding for Lancaster University to support the development of UA92 has been provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), through its Catalyst Fund.

KPMG’s support will include providing guidance around targeted outreach, contextualised admissions policies and measures to support retention for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, as well as ensuring that UA92 engages with, and is a benefit to, the local community.

The firm will also provide work-related learning for UA92 students through skills workshops and placements, as well as mentoring for groups of students from less advantaged backgrounds.

Nicola Quayle, office senior partner at KPMG in Manchester, says: “While statistics show that more and more students from disadvantaged background are now going into higher education, we are nevertheless a long way from equality of opportunity.

“We also know there are substantial gaps between underrepresented groups and other students at every stage of Higher Education – from entry, right through to transition into work and later career outcomes.

“With industry engagement and personal development at the heart of the UA92 student experience, we believe there is a real opportunity to help improve outcomes for students who otherwise may not have considered university.”

She adds: “UA92’s ambition is to produce work-ready graduates who are critical thinkers, digital champions, problem solvers, creative collaborators and influential communicators.”

“It is about equipping people to leave education ready to work, to give them the life skills they need as well as the employability skills needed.”

Professor Mark E Smith, vice-chancellor at Lancaster University, says: “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.”

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