Imagine paying for a premium education, only to be left with a fraction of what you expected. That’s exactly what thousands of students are claiming happened during the Covid-19 pandemic, and now they’re demanding compensation. But here’s where it gets controversial: is it fair to hold universities accountable for circumstances beyond their control, or did they fail to deliver on their promises? Let’s dive in.
Following a landmark settlement between University College London (UCL) and approximately 6,000 of its students—part of the Student Group Claim—a new wave of pre-action letters has been sent to 36 other UK institutions. These letters, which serve as a formal warning of potential legal action, argue that students were shortchanged on the education and university experiences they paid for due to Covid lockdowns. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about lectures moving online; it’s about restricted access to labs, libraries, and other essential resources, especially for students on practical courses.
Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson Solicitors, puts it bluntly: ‘Under English law, if you pay for a five-star experience and get a one-star experience, you’re entitled to compensation.’ This analogy has sparked debate, with some arguing that universities did their best in unprecedented times, while others insist students deserve reimbursement for what they lost.
During the pandemic, university life was upended. Teaching moved online for extended periods, graduation ceremonies were virtual or postponed, and graduates faced a job market still reeling from the crisis. For many, the university experience they’d envisioned—social interactions, hands-on learning, and access to facilities—simply vanished. The pre-action letters now demand damages for the academic years 2019-2022, claiming students didn’t receive what they paid for.
UCL, for its part, has not admitted liability, stating it ‘worked diligently to deliver teaching and student support in unprecedented circumstances.’ The details of its settlement remain confidential, leaving many to wonder: how much did students actually receive, and could this set a precedent for other claims?
Goldwater notes that the compensation sought is relatively modest compared to university budgets, estimating around £5,000 per undergraduate student. ‘That’s what they would be claiming as an estimate,’ he told Radio 4’s PM programme. But even this figure has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning whether it’s reasonable or if it opens the door to further litigation.
Here’s the burning question: Should universities be held financially responsible for disruptions caused by a global pandemic, or should students accept that some losses were unavoidable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
