University academy to launch city centre business school

UA92 (University Academy 92) is planning to expand its operations into Manchester city centre after surpassing growth forecasts.

The higher education institution, founded by the Class of ‘92 and Lancaster University, is opening a 36,000 sq ft UA92 Business School in Baskerville House, opposite Salford Central and next to Spinningfields, adding to its current Old Trafford campus.

The new campus, which opens later this year, will host the facility’s business school and be a central hub for its collaboration and enterprise with UA92’s business partners, catering for up to 1000 students.

The move comes as UA92 has accelerated its strategic plans by two years, after exceeding forecasts for student numbers.

Since launching in 2019, it now caters for over 800 students, offering a portfolio of degree and higher education industry-led courses across business, sport, media and digital disciplines.

The institution works with leading corporates including Microsoft, TalkTalk, KPMG and Manchester United.

Sara Prowse, CEO at UA92, said: “This expansion demonstrates the significant impact that UA92 is having on the higher education sector. Just like our students, UA92 is not standing still – we have huge ambitions, and this is an extremely exciting opportunity to further expand and enhance our offering.

“By expanding across Greater Manchester, we will be able to offer our top-class facilities to an even greater number of students who will benefit from being at the heart of a city at the forefront of UK economic growth.

“The new facilities will echo our state-of-the-art Old Trafford campus and we will be embedding the inspiring culture of UA92 into its design. We are excited to welcome business students – both those moving across from our existing campus and new students – when we open the doors later this year.”

The UA92 Business School will open in the autumn.