The “class of 92”, made up of members from the Manchester United football team, have announced their plans to establish a university that will teach its students how to cope up with pressure, understand finance, and maintain a healthy body and mind. Known as University Academy 92 (UA92), the institution is a brainchild of Gary Neville along with his teammates Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Phil Neville. With its opening slated for September 2019 in Trafford, UA92 aims to attract students who otherwise might not consider higher education. The university aims to offer diverse courses and skills to enhance the life, as well as the employability prospects of its students.

Gary Neville, now a property developer and the one who founded the project, believes that there are no limits to what someone can achieve with the proper preparation. He added that UA92 “aims to produce graduates who leave with not only an academic qualification but also an extensive range of skills covering aspects such as leadership, understanding finance, coping with pressure, and maintaining a healthy mind and body to succeed in the workplace.” The university plans to focus on academic learning, work experience, leadership skills and fitness.

Trafford council and Lancaster University support the project, and the new campus and student accommodation will be constructed in Trafford. The leaders of the council are hoping that the university will bring in around 6,500 students to the borough by 2028. Manchester United football club and Lancashire county cricket club also back UA92. The Department of Education stated that this project exemplifies the new models of higher education, highlighting the collaborations between businesses and academia.

Prof Mark E Smith, the vice-chancellor of Lancaster University, believes that businesses are increasingly interested in how higher education can prepare students in working life. Therefore, this project aims to accomplish that objective head-on.