Dozens of universities across the United Kingdom are now facing extensive legal action from over 170,000 current and former students, who assert they were deprived of the complete educational experience they paid for during the Covid-19 pandemic. This significant development follows a confidential settlement between University College London (UCL) and Student Group Claim, a coalition of legal firms that is now representing additional students and graduates in similar disputes.
Widespread Legal Notices Issued to Institutions
According to reports, legal letters have been dispatched to 36 other higher education institutions, formally warning them of intentions to seek substantial damages for learning that students claim was paid for but not adequately delivered. The government, during the pandemic, maintained that universities held responsibility for setting their own fees and was expected to continue providing high-quality education despite the unprecedented challenges.
No-Win, No-Fee Representation for Students
Student Group Claim operates on a no-win, no-fee basis, leveraging extensive experience in group litigation to advocate for students. In the UCL case, which involved 6,000 students and was scheduled for court in March, no liability was admitted, and settlement details remain strictly confidential, with both parties prohibited from discussing the terms publicly.
Pandemic Disruptions and Student Frustrations
The core of the legal claims revolves around the stark difference in tuition fee pricing between courses delivered online versus in-person instruction. During the pandemic, most university teaching abruptly shifted to online formats, with students either sent home or confined to university accommodations under lockdown restrictions.
Access to shared campus facilities was severely restricted, sparking particular outrage among students enrolled in courses requiring specialist equipment for practical work. This situation fostered a profound sense of frustration, as many felt they were missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study effectively and forge lifelong friendships.
Broader Impacts on Graduates and Ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies were either conducted virtually or postponed indefinitely, adding to the discontent. Those leaving university faced the daunting task of securing their first graduate jobs in an economy still recovering from the pandemic's economic fallout, compounding their grievances.
Legal Arguments Under Consumer Law
Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson Solicitors, which is part of Student Group Claim, emphasized that the learning missed during Covid represents one of the great injustices of the pandemic, stating it has never been properly remedied. He drew a parallel to consumer law, explaining, "It's very simple, in English law if you paid for a five-star holiday and received a one-star holiday, you are entitled to compensation."
Student Group Claim argues that this fundamental principle of consumer law supersedes any clauses in university contracts that attempt to absolve institutions from responsibility for pandemic-related disruptions.
Seeking Redress for Multiple Academic Years
Pre-action letters reviewed by media outlets indicate that, beyond financial losses, students suffered significant disappointment and distress due to universities failing to deliver promised services. These letters specify that former students are seeking redress for the academic years spanning 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22.
By the 2022-23 academic year, teaching on some courses remained hybrid, with nearly a third still being delivered online, highlighting the prolonged nature of the educational disruptions.
