Thousands of former students are poised to receive a portion of £21 million following a legal claim regarding disruptions to their education during the COVID-19 lockdowns. University College London (UCL) has agreed to disburse the multi-million sum to approximately 6,500 individuals, while explicitly stating no liability. The exact amount each student will receive remains undetermined. The students alleged that due to the pandemic-related lockdowns, they did not receive the complete educational experience they had paid for, as campuses were shut down and classes transitioned to online platforms.
The Financial Times disclosed that the distribution of funds to each claimant will vary. This settlement may set a precedent for other universities to compensate graduates who faced similar challenges. Student Group Claim, representing around 194,000 claimants from 36 different universities, emphasized the potential impact of this agreed payout on the wider higher education sector.
UCL recently announced a confidential settlement regarding the matter. In a statement, the university asserted that while no liability was admitted, the agreement was reached to resolve the issue amicably and efficiently, without incurring additional costs that could divert resources from teaching, research, and student support.
Adam Zoubir, a partner at Harcus Parker solicitors involved in representing the claimants against UCL, expressed satisfaction with the settlement, acknowledging the resolution for affected students. Nonetheless, the representation continues for numerous other students who encountered similar circumstances at different universities during the pandemic. Shimon Goldwater, a partner at Asserson solicitors also involved in the UCL lawsuit, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the successful resolution achieved for their clients and the ongoing pursuit of claims against other universities.
Responding to the settlement, a spokesperson from Universities UK acknowledged the exceptional challenges universities and students faced during the pandemic. Universities adapted swiftly to comply with government directives during lockdowns, ensuring students could complete their degrees by implementing alternative teaching methods when in-person classes were restricted.