Could thousands of students win COVID compensation from universities?
Could thousands of students win COVID compensation from universities?
Nearly 200,000 students who attended universities during the pandemic are now pursuing financial restitution. The case, led by the Student Group Claim, centers on the argument that online learning diminished the value of the education and services students paid for, leading to potential refunds.
Initiated in 2023, the campaign initially gathered 100,000 participants for a no-win, no-fee initiative. This number has since grown to 170,000, with 36 institutions receiving formal legal notices. The claim proposes a financial adjustment for the reduced quality of education during the early lockdowns.
Scope of the claim
The Student Group Claim, spearheaded by Harcus Parker and Asserson solicitors, asserts that students were denied the full benefits of their tuition fees due to the shift to digital instruction. It argues that the transition to online teaching during the academic years 2020-21 and 2021-22 created a disparity in service value, warranting compensation under English consumer law.
According to the law firms, the claim applies specifically to the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years, covering the period when in-person classes were replaced by virtual platforms. Eligibility requires students to have accepted offers before 1 April 2020.
“We aren’t criticising universities for following government guidelines, but for charging the same fees for a significantly less valuable service,” said Asal Reyhanian, an associate at Asserson Law Offices.
Key exclusions include: teaching disruptions from the 2019-20 academic year, limitations on campus access in any year, and cancellations due to industrial action. These aspects are not part of the current claim.
Why the claim emerged
The initiative gained momentum in February following a £21 million settlement agreement with University College London (UCL). While UCL acknowledged no liability, it stated the pandemic “created widespread disruption across society” and acknowledged the challenges faced by students.
Reyhanian described the settlement as a “test case” for the broader argument. She noted that the agreement prompted 50,000 additional signatories, reflecting a growing desire to address the cost of education during the crisis.
Participating universities
Following UCL’s settlement, 36 universities have received pre-action letters. These documents outline the claim and demand specific responses from institutions. Universities UK, representing over 140 schools, emphasized the sector’s need to “adapt to rapid changes” during the pandemic.
A spokesperson highlighted that universities “quickly adjusted” to ensure students completed their degrees despite restrictions, yet the claim suggests these adjustments fell short of the expected service level.
Estimated compensation
Compensation amounts vary depending on the institution, course fees, and individual experience. The Student Group Claim estimates that UK-based undergraduates could receive an average of £5,000 as reparation for the reduced educational value during the pandemic.
The deadline for submitting claims is set for September 2026. Legal representatives argue that students “paid for in-person teaching and campus access” but received “a significantly less valuable alternative,” akin to “a five-star holiday turned into a one-star experience.”
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