University Academy 92

• Location: Manchester, UK
• Year of foundation: 2017
• Number of students: about 400
• Language of instruction: English
• Type: mixed.

University Academy 92 (UA92) is a higher education institution in Old Trafford.

The institution was founded in September 2017 and is a co-founder of Lancaster University, the Manchester United team. UA92 was opened by football players to educate people who "would not otherwise be able to get a higher education." Also in The Times, the university is described as "an organization designed to help disadvantaged young people in Manchester get a better education." The emphasis in education is on the development of the personal qualities of each student.

The university offers six undergraduate degrees, additional courses. All qualifications are built around four main subject areas: business, media, sports and digital technologies. Degrees are awarded by Lancaster University, but are taught on the UA92 campus.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

What are the currently popular courses at UK universities?

UK universities are known for their diverse subject offerings. Business, medicine, and engineering traditionally see high demand, with growing interest in computer science. 

Based on the discovery of each student's personality and talents, the UA92 principle is embedded in every academic block. In the modules of the curriculum, days are allocated when students will attend seminars on personal development under the guidance of mentors, teachers and external specialists. During these days, students complete tasks aimed at improving thinking, developing skills, and preparing for future career success.

Coaching and mentoring is an important element of the educational process: each student can seek support not only from subject teachers, but also from personal curators who monitor academic progress and take care of other aspects of the student life of their mentee.

UA92 offers higher education programs and certificate courses in four areas:

• Business
• Sport
• Digital technologies,
• Mass media.

• UA92 was opened on the initiative of Co92 players after getting acquainted with the Manchester United team.
• The institution was created specifically for low-income people living anywhere in the world.

Thanks to cooperation with Manchester Apartments, students can rent apartments at exclusive discounts in any price range. Places to stay are just two minutes from the study campus, and the area itself has a good transport network, bike paths and walking areas.

Students are offered five different types of accommodation for 41 or 51 weeks with a weekly payment:

• Studios – from 140 to 165£,
• One-room apartments - from 180 to 205 £.

The apartment has one bedroom with a double bed, a work area, a bathroom and a kitchen.

The price includes utilities, WiFi, access to the laundry. The laundry room has six washing machines with drying function.

Residential buildings are equipped with a good security system, including passing key fobs, keys to personal mailboxes, combination locks, video surveillance.

Westpoint partners of Manchester Apartments, providing accommodation for people with disabilities: rooms on the lower floors, equipped toilets and bathrooms, assistance of employees, etc.

Manchester is a big city with huge opportunities. In their free time, students can visit world-famous sights, walk around the night city, look into numerous restaurants and cafes, watch a match of the famous team - Manchester United.

On campus, student clubs are organized in the following areas: sports, social support, various hobbies, leadership and coaching.

• Partnerships with more than 30 organizations, including Microsoft, Manchester United, Trafford College and others.
• UA92 is accepted in the register of universities, checked by the Agency for Providing Quality Higher Education.
• One of the best international student campuses in the world.
• 1/5 of the students of Manchester are foreigners.

The UA92 campus, located in the heart of Old Trafford, opened its doors in 2019. Equipped with the latest industry technologies and digital learning resources, it is a twenty-first-century campus in a city with unlimited potential.

The total campus area is 100,000 square feet – kellogg's four-story building. It is equipped with:

• Many gyms and outdoor areas,
• Media Studio,
• Digital laboratories, classrooms,
• Café.

The academic model of study is designed for a full academic year and for 120 credits. Each degree is broken down into six-week modules, allowing students to join the study six times a year. Grades are given at the end of the module without exams.

The academic year ends in April, so students can conveniently combine work or internships that begin in the summer.

Additional expenses of students are accommodation and personal expenses. Thanks to scholarship programs, many students do not pay for meals, transportation, fees, and more.

Step-by-step admission to University Academy 92:

• Register with UCAS,
• Fill in the form with personal data, indicating the level of education and attaching the required documents,
• Add preferred courses,
• Wait for a response from the admissions committee.

Admission to the educational institution is conducted without a serious competition - students are recruited by the number of free places, so almost any applicant can enter UA92.

Graduates with a degree from Lancaster University have the opportunity to work in a company around the world, because this institution is in the ranking of the leading universities in the UK.

Requirements for applicants:

• Personal documents: passport, student visa or residence permit, health insurance,
• Motivation letter,
• Academic achievements: available diplomas, timesheets and transcripts,
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or employer.

Education takes place in English, so students need knowledge at the level of conversational.

In 2021, the institution launched the Make For Real campaign to support students from low-income families. Each eligible student will receive:

• Laptop Microsoft Surface Pro,
• Unlimited TalkTalk data for three years,
• Lunch vouchers: 52 weeks, five days a week,
• 150£,
• Dunelm Home Vouchers,
• Free travel to campus.

To participate in the program, the student had to receive free school meals at the previous place of study at the already available benefits.

The institution also has a program of 92 grants in the amount of £ 5,000 for those who lost their jobs during the coronavirus.

UA92 offers assistance in obtaining student loans.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision