A significant wave of legal claims has emerged as over 170,000 students, both current and former, are taking action against 36 universities in the UK. They allege that the institutions failed to deliver the quality of education they paid for during the Covid pandemic. This follows a settlement reached between University College London (UCL) and the Student Claim Group, which is now spearheading similar actions across the sector.
Legal Action Initiated
The legal correspondence sent to the 36 universities indicates that students intend to seek damages for the educational experiences they believe were compromised due to the pandemic. The claimants assert that they paid for a comprehensive educational experience, which was not fulfilled as a result of the shift to online learning. The government previously stated that universities were responsible for determining their own fees and were expected to maintain high educational standards throughout the crisis.
Although UCL has settled its case without admitting liability, the details of this agreement remain confidential, leaving many questions unanswered. The case, which involved around 6,000 students, was originally scheduled for court in March but has since paved the way for broader legal actions against other universities under consumer law.
Student Experiences During the Pandemic
During the height of the pandemic, many universities transitioned to online teaching for extended periods, forcing students either to return home or remain in restricted accommodation. Access to essential campus facilities was severely limited, causing particular distress among students enrolled in practical courses, such as fine art and applied arts, who felt that their education was significantly undermined.
The emotional toll was substantial. Students reported feelings of disappointment and frustration as they missed out on crucial learning opportunities and social interactions typically associated with university life. Many graduation ceremonies were either held virtually or postponed, complicating an already challenging transition into the job market amid a recovering economy.
Legal Framework and Implications
Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson Solicitors, highlighted the inequity faced by students, describing the loss of educational value during the pandemic as one of the significant injustices of that period. He emphasised that the claims focus on the disparity in tuition fees for online versus in-person courses, arguing that consumer law entitles students to compensation akin to paying for a five-star holiday but receiving a one-star experience.
The legal claims invoke the principle of consumer rights, suggesting that any contractual clauses attempting to limit university liability for disruptions should be overridden by this fundamental tenet. The pre-action letters sent to the universities also address the emotional distress experienced by students due to unmet educational promises.
The Universities Named
The following institutions have received pre-action letters from the Student Claim Group:
– University of Bath
– University of Birmingham
– Birmingham City University
– University of Bristol
– Cardiff University
– City, University of London
– Coventry University
– De Montfort University
– University of East Anglia
– University of Exeter
– Imperial College London
– University of Kent
– King’s College London
– University of Leeds
– Leeds Beckett University
– University of Liverpool
– Liverpool John Moores University
– London School of Economics and Political Science
– Loughborough University
– The University of Manchester
– Manchester Metropolitan University
– Newcastle University
– University of Nottingham
– Nottingham Trent University
– Northumbria University
– University of Portsmouth
– Queen Mary University of London
– University of Reading
– University of Sheffield
– Sheffield Hallam University
– University of Southampton
– Swansea University
– University of the Arts London
– University of the West of England
– University of Warwick
– University of York
Many of the students involved in this claim have also experienced additional disruptions due to ongoing strikes by university staff over pay, pensions, and working conditions.
Why it Matters
This burgeoning legal action signals a pivotal moment for higher education in the UK, as it underscores the growing frustration among students regarding the quality of education delivered during unprecedented times. The outcome of these claims could reshape the landscape of tuition fees and accountability in universities, highlighting the need for institutions to ensure that they provide the educational value that students have been promised. As the deadline for claims extends to September 2026, this situation could have lasting implications not only for the universities involved but also for the entire higher education sector in the UK.
