Student Group Claim Expands Legal Action Against UK Universities Over Pandemic Education
A wave of legal action is gathering momentum across the United Kingdom, with a prominent student group now pursuing compensation claims against an additional 36 universities. More than 170,000 current and former students are alleging they did not receive the full educational experience they paid for during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This significant escalation follows a recent settlement reached between University College London (UCL) and the group, now operating under the banner of the Student Group Claim. Legal representatives have dispatched letters to each of the 36 institutions, formally notifying them of the intention to seek damages for perceived deficiencies in the education provided during periods of lockdown and widespread disruption.
The Basis of the Claim: Value for Money and Consumer Rights
At the heart of these claims is the fundamental principle of consumer law: students paid for a certain standard of education, which they argue was not delivered due to the shift to online learning and restricted access to campus facilities. The primary argument centres on the disparity in tuition fees between in-person courses and their online-only counterparts during the pandemic. Economic analysis is expected to form a crucial part of these new claims, quantifying the alleged financial loss experienced by students.
Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson Solicitors, which is involved in the claims, commented on the situation: "The learning that students missed out on during Covid was one of the great injustices to come out of the pandemic – and it's never been remedied. 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."
The Student Group Claim contends that this basic consumer law principle should supersede any contractual clauses universities may have included to absolve themselves of responsibility for pandemic-related disruptions. This legal framework is being applied to a broad range of institutions, including well-regarded universities such as Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
Widespread Disruption and Student Frustration
The pandemic forced a dramatic and often abrupt transition for universities, with most teaching shifting online for extended periods. Students were frequently sent home or confined to university accommodation, facing restricted access to vital shared facilities. This was particularly galling for students on practical-heavy courses, such as fine art or applied arts, who rely heavily on specialist equipment and studio spaces.
Beyond the academic impact, students also faced significant social and emotional disruption. The loss of the traditional university experience – including making lifelong friends and participating in campus life – contributed to a profound sense of frustration. Graduation ceremonies were often virtual or postponed, and many graduates entered a challenging job market still reeling from the pandemic's economic fallout.
Universities' Response: An Unprecedented Challenge
Universities UK, representing over 140 institutions, acknowledged the immense difficulties posed by the pandemic. A spokesperson stated that the period was an "unprecedented challenge" and that the sector had to "adapt to a fast-changing situation." They added, "During some periods of lockdown, universities were not permitted to offer in-person teaching as usual, and instead they adjusted quickly and creatively to allow students to complete their degrees."
The government at the time had placed responsibility on universities to set their own fees while expecting them to maintain a high standard of education. The details of the UCL settlement remain confidential, with neither the university nor the student representatives at liberty to discuss its specifics. However, this agreement appears to have paved the way for more widespread legal action across the sector.
The List of Universities Facing Claims
The 36 universities that have received pre-action letters are:
- 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 (LSE)
- 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
It is also noted that many students involved in these claims may have also experienced disruption due to staff strikes over pensions, pay, or working conditions, adding another layer of complexity to their university experience.
