Students Launch Covid Compensation Claims Against 36 More Universities

In a major escalation of legal battles over pandemic disruptions, over 170,000 students have initiated compensation claims against 36 additional UK universities, following a recent settlement with University College London (UCL).[1][2] These claims argue that universities breached contracts by shifting to online teaching and restricting campus facilities, denying students the in-person education they paid for.[1][2][4]

The UCL Settlement Paves the Way

The movement gained momentum after UCL reached a confidential settlement on February 13, 2026, with around 6,000 students represented by the Student Claim Group.[1][2][3] UCL admitted no liability but agreed to the deal to avoid court costs and focus resources on teaching and research.[2][3] UCL President and Provost Dr. Michael Spence acknowledged the “incredibly difficult” Covid years, emphasizing the institution’s efforts to support students’ wellbeing and deliver high-quality education amid government guidance.[3]

Students in the UCL case, covering the period from 2018 to 2022, alleged breaches when classes moved online, facilities closed, and practical work halted.[2] The settlement details remain private, but it has emboldened claimants against other institutions.[1] Pre-action letters have been sent to the 36 universities, warning of damages claims under consumer law.[1][2]

Universities Facing Action

The targeted institutions include prominent names such as the Universities of Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Cardiff, alongside King’s College London and the London School of Economics.[2] Over 170,000 current and former students are involved through the Student Group Claim, which is coordinating the actions.[1][2][5]

Claims primarily focus on the 2020-21 academic year, the most disrupted period, with deadlines approaching under the Limitation Act from September 2026.[2] Students argue they paid full fees—often £9,000 annually—for in-person tuition, labs, studios, and social experiences, but received online alternatives worth 25-50% less.[1][2][4]

Practical courses suffered most. Fine art and applied arts students, for instance, lost access to specialist facilities, sparking widespread frustration.[1] Graduation ceremonies went virtual or delayed, and graduates entered a battered job market.[1] One student quoted in media described it as: “nine grand a year to sit at home, log onto a laptop, go on for an hour and read a word document.”[4]

Legal Basis: Consumer Rights Over Contract Clauses

At the heart of the claims is the Consumer Rights Act, which Student Group Claim says trumps university contract clauses allowing fee charges despite disruptions.[2][4] Shimon Goldwater, partner at Asserson Solicitors representing claimants, calls it a “great injustice” unremedied since the pandemic.[1] He simplifies: “If you paid for a five-star holiday and received a one-star holiday, you are entitled to compensation.”[1]

Economic analysis will quantify the fee-value gap between in-person and online delivery.[1] Universities counter that they followed government advice, maintained safety, and offered redress routes—many students already received compensation internally.[3] The government had stated universities set their own fees and should deliver quality education.[1]

Student Frustrations and Broader Impact

The pandemic forced most teaching online, with students isolated in halls or at home.[1] Shared facilities closed, eroding the “once-in-a-lifetime” university experience of learning, networking, and friendships.[1] UK students, burdened by high-interest loans, now seek refunds for “ruined” courses.[2]

About 155,000 graduates and students have signed up to the group claims.[5] If successful, payouts could reach thousands per student—previous demands hit £5,000 each—and strain universities already facing financial woes.[2] Goldwater notes: “Universities should have paid that difference… but refused.”[2]

History shows judicial leanings. In 2023, a judge deemed some student concerns “valid,” staying UCL proceedings for mediation.[4] The original UCL trial was set for March 2026 but settled beforehand.[1][4]

What Happens Next?

Student Group Claim urges affected students from 2020-21 to register for updates, as partner law firms assess viability.[4] Universities may settle to avoid trials, as UCL did, diverting funds from core missions.[3] This wave tests higher education’s accountability under consumer law post-Covid.

For students, it’s redress for disrupted dreams. For universities, a reminder that promises in prospectuses and contracts carry weight. As claims expire soon, expect more settlements or courtroom showdowns. The sector watches closely—could this reshape fee structures for future crises?

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Original source: BBC News – Students begin Covid compensation claim against 36 more universities