Bold opening: many students say their universities failed them during Covid, and now they’re turning to the courts to get what they paid for.
Thousands of students and graduates are pursuing legal action against their universities over how teaching and learning were delivered during Covid lockdowns.
Pre-action letters have been sent to 36 universities as part of the Student Group Claim, asserting that learners did not receive the full education they paid for during the pandemic.
Universities UK, which represents more than 140 institutions, described Covid as an “unprecedented challenge” and said the sector had to move quickly and creatively to support students.
So why are these lawsuits surfacing now, and what could happen next?
Why are students making claims?
The newest batch of pre-action letters comes after a settlement between University College London (UCL) and around 6,000 students who were part of the same Student Group Claim. That case was due to go to trial this year but settled out of court with confidential terms, so the exact outcome remains private. UCL said it did not admit liability and that it had “worked diligently to deliver teaching and student support in unprecedented circumstances.”
Now, pre-action letters—formal notices warning of litigation if disputes aren’t resolved—have been issued to 36 other institutions. The letters claim that students missed parts of the education they paid for and other university experiences due to Covid lockdowns.
A straightforward summary in legal terms is that, if you paid for a five-star holiday and received a one-star experience, you may be entitled to compensation, notes Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson Solicitors.
During the pandemic, most university teaching moved online for extended periods, with students either returning home or remaining in university housing under lockdown. Access to shared campus facilities was restricted, which particularly affected students in practical or resource-intensive programs. Graduation ceremonies were often virtual or delayed, and graduates faced a job market just beginning to recover from the pandemic.
What are they asking for?
The letters function as notices that the claimants intend to pursue damages for learning they say they paid for but did not actually receive. If universities dispute the claims, court proceedings could follow.
One pre-action letter reviewed by the BBC indicates former students are seeking compensation for the academic years 2019–20, 2020–21, and 2021–22.
Assessing how likely these claims are to succeed, or how much money might be involved, is complex. Goldwater has stated that the claimed amounts are relatively modest compared with universities’ budgets. He suggested that a typical undergraduate who studied during the pandemic might be entitled to around £5,000 as an estimate.
In the UCL matter, the university did not admit liability, and the settlement details remain confidential, with neither side able to publicly discuss them.
Who is making the claims?
The latest move involves more than 170,000 students and graduates from 36 universities, driven by the pre-action letters. Goldwater noted that lawyers are acting on behalf of students who joined the Student Group Claim, and that claims could expand to other universities in the future.
Students can sign up to receive updates on whether their university might face action. The deadline for Covid-related claims is September 2026.
Which universities are affected?
The UCL case involved about 6,000 students and was originally slated for a March court date, but the confidential settlement appears to pave the way for broader actions against the wider sector.
The 36 universities that received pre-action letters are:
- University of Bath
- University of Birmingham
- Birmingham City University
- University of Bristol
- Cardiff University
- City,, University of London (St George’s)
- 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
What might happen next?
Predicting the outcome is difficult, and the process will likely unfold over time. The UCL case had a July 2024 trial date, but the settlement changes the trajectory. The 36 universities will have opportunities to respond to the pre-action letters before any further steps are taken. As the process moves forward, more universities may face similar actions depending on how these initial claims unfold.
If you’d like, I can tailor this rewrite to a specific tone (more casual, more formal) or adjust focus (legal process, consumer rights, or educational impact). Would you prefer a version aimed at general readers, policymakers, or university staff?
