Students launch legal action against universities over Covid-hit studies
Dozens of universities could face legal action as thousands of students seek financial compensation after their studies were affected by Covid-19.
According to the report, pre-trial demand letters were sent to at least 36 universities in England and Wales, including Exeter, Imperial College London, Leeds, Bath and Bristol. Guard.
This follows an agreement reached between UCL and Student Group Claim, which is seeking financial compensation from the university for periods when teaching was moved online and libraries were closed during the pandemic.
UCL reached a confidential settlement with Student Group Claim. The organization accepted no liability and agreed to compromise so that the issue could be resolved without further expense.
Shimon Goldwater, partner at Asserson solicitors who jointly represented the claimants suing UCL, said: “I am delighted that our clients have been able to reach a commercial settlement with UCL in respect of their claims. Student Group Claim will now turn its attention to claimants who have attended other universities during the pandemic.”
Adam Zoubir, partner at Harcus Parker solicitors, who also represented the claimants, said: “I am pleased that this settlement provides a resolution for our clients who attended UCL during the pandemic and whose courses have moved online. This is the end of the claim against UCL, but we continue to represent tens of thousands of students who were at other universities during Covid.”
The Student Group Claim alleged that the universities had breached its contract with students paying course fees for face-to-face teaching, access to facilities and other services, as set out in contract documents, prospectuses and promotional materials.
Due to strikes and Covid-19, the group claims universities breached their contracts with students from 2018 when face-to-face classes were canceled or moved online and access to libraries was restricted.
A spokesperson for Universities UK said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented universities and their students with two years of unprecedented challenge. “Like other sectors, institutions have followed government guidance to adapt to the rapidly changing situation.
“During some periods of lockdown, universities were not allowed to offer face-to-face education as usual and instead quickly and creatively made adjustments to allow students to complete their degrees.”
The claim comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces backlash over student loans after announcing the repayment threshold for Plan 2 loans will be frozen at the April 2026 level (£29,385) for three years, rather than rising with inflation.
It is expected to rise every year in line with the RPI from April 2030, with commentators warning this could mean a greater impact on graduates’ monthly earnings as the cost of living rises.
