Manchester’s UA92, the ground-breaking higher education institution co-founded by Lancaster University and the Class of ‘92, celebrated its inaugural graduation on Sunday.

UA92’s very first cohort of 62 graduates celebrated in a ceremony held on Sunday 10th July.

Dignitaries of Lancaster University were in attendance, including The Rt Hon Alistair Burt, Pro-Chancellor, and Professor Andy Schofield, Vice-Chancellor. They joined founding members from the Class of ’92 to congratulate graduates, 24% of whom received a First Class Honours degree.

Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson addressed the graduates, as well as Gary Neville and others, to offer words of wisdom and thank them for being the first to study on a campus which opened its doors the first week of their study in September 2019.

Lancaster’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield said, “This is a landmark day, with every graduate achieving a Lancaster University accredited degree which is underpinned by the high standards and academic rigour of our institution. They leave UA92 as an adventurous, pioneering cohort, whose skills and values will be highly sought after and regarded by future employers.

Gary Neville, Co-Founder at UA92 commented, “We have been blown away by the level of energy, determination, and commitment our students have displayed over the past three years. Their pioneering spirit in selecting the distinctively different concept of UA92 earmarked them as something special, and they have exceeded all our expectations. Watching them graduate will be up there as one of my favourite moments ever.”

About UA92

Based in Old Trafford, Manchester, UA92 currently has around 400 students enrolled in degree and higher education courses across business, sport, media and digital disciplines. Last year it secured a £2m funding grant from the Office for Students to support the development of a world leading digital learning academy at the UA92 campus. The Digital Academy, which opens in September, will offer enhanced and cutting-edge learning and will increase UA92’s student capacity for digital students almost tenfold – from 65 to 634.

Working in partnership with leading industry names including Microsoft, TalkTalk, KPMG and Manchester United, students benefit from mentors, guest lectures and work experience opportunities, in addition to character and personal development guidance, and financial support beyond traditional scholarships and government loans.

Left to right: The Rt Hon Alistair Burt, Pro-Chancellor of Lancaster University; Dr Marnie Millard, Chair of the UA92 Board; Gary Neville, co-founder of UA92; Sir Alex Ferguson