Northern Powerhouse partner University Academy 92 (UA92) has opened its new campus, with Manchester United legend calling the project the “potentially the biggest thing we’ve ever done”.
The launch marks a culmination of years of work, with the initiative having been announced in September 2017.
It will offer degrees with character development at the core, inspired by the winning mentality of the Class of 92 and underpinned by another of our Northern Powerhouse partners, Lancaster University’s, academic standards.
The curriculum – delivered in fixed morning or afternoon slots for the duration of an individual’s degree – is designed to allow students from a range of educational and socio-economic backgrounds to access high quality, higher education.
The UA92 campus site – a joint venture between Trafford Council and developer Bruntwood – houses a range of specialist facilities, developed specifically for modern university learning and teaching. This includes a media suite, human performance hub, IT spaces and modern workrooms.
More broadly, UA92 is part of Trafford Council’s Civic Quarter Masterplan covering a 120-acre site taking in the Town Hall, Lancashire Cricket Club, and the former Kellogg’s development.
Gary Neville said:
“Looking at our experience in coaching, our upbringings at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, we’d been prepared to play for the first team and we were taught to be resilient.
“We felt that could potentially be pushed into an academic offering – something that was very different from the current market.
“The fact that it’s a half a mile away from Old Trafford made it even better for us. The idea that we’d be helping regenerate somewhere that had been so good to us for so long was fantastic.
“This will get stronger and stronger. This is day one – but we know in ten to 15 to 25 years’ time this being an established university is what really drives us forward.
“It’s potentially the biggest thing we’ve ever done.”
Lancaster University vice-chancellor Mark E Smith added:
“There’s no reason that the model we run at Lancaster should be appealing and relevant to everyone who wants to undertake higher education. A model that was different and would complement our traditional offering was something we should consider very seriously.
“This project fit very well with our aim of being able to reach a broader range of individuals.”
Manchester law firm Kuits advised the Class of 92 on the project.