University College London (UCL) has agreed to a £21million settlement with around 6,500 former students who claimed they were short-changed on their education during the coronavirus pandemic.
The agreement, reached without any admission of liability, is expected to have implications for higher‑education institutions across Britain facing similar legal challenges.
Students argued they had paid tuition fees for face‑to‑face teaching and full access to campus facilities but instead received online instruction when lockdown restrictions forced universities to close.
UCL said it had chosen to resolve the dispute rather than continue court proceedings in order to avoid “diverting valuable resources away from teaching, research and supporting our students”.
Agreement could pave the way for further claims across British universities
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GETTYIf divided equally, the settlement could amount to roughly £3,270 per claimant, although the exact distribution method has not yet been finalised, according to documents reviewed by the Financial Times.
Legal representatives for the students described the outcome as a significant development.
Adam Zoubir, a lawyer at Harcus Parker, said: “I am delighted that this settlement provides a resolution for our clients who attended UCL during the pandemic and had their classes moved online.”
Shimon Goldwater of Asserson added that the Student Group Claim campaign would now turn its attention to students from other universities.
The settlement is likely to increase pressure on institutions nationwide, with the campaign representing more than 200,000 students and graduates across 36 universities, including Bristol, Manchester and Cardiff.
Pre‑action letters were sent to all 36 institutions on February 17, formally notifying them of the intention to seek compensation.
Law firms involved said interest in joining the action had surged following news of the UCL settlement, with a further 24,000 potential claimants registering in recent days.
The campaign argues that students paid for in‑person teaching and access to facilities such as libraries and specialist spaces, which were unavailable during extended closure periods.
Students protesting
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UCL’s president, Dr Michael Spence, acknowledged the challenges faced by students during the pandemic.
“We recognise that the Covid years were incredibly difficult for students, with disruptions across society and universities were no exception,” he said.
Dr Spence added that staff had acted quickly in line with Government guidance and worked to deliver teaching under unprecedented conditions.
Time limits may affect some prospective claimants. Under the Limitation Act 1980, claims relating to the 2020–21 academic year begin expiring in September.
The Office of the Independent Adjudicator warned universities in 2020 that consumer‑protection law continued to apply during the pandemic, stating that providers were still required to deliver services meeting students’ reasonable expectations.