Could thousands of students win compensation from universities?

Why your student debt just keeps rising

What are they asking for?

Student Group Claim states that fees for online degrees are typically 25-50% less than fees for in-person courses, so universities should pay that difference in value to students as compensation.

Ms Reyhanian said the basic idea is that students “paid for and expected in-person teaching and access to facilities and what they got was far less valuable than what they paid for”.

She told Sky News: “We aren’t criticising universities for sticking to government guidelines and restrictions, what we are criticising them for is charging the same fees for a less valuable service

“It is like paying for a five-star holiday and getting a one-star holiday, you are entitled to compensation.”

Image: The claim argues students got a lesser service than what they paid for. Pic: iStock

What universities are involved?

After the UCL settlement, a further 36 universities have been sent pre-action letters.

This is a formal document sent by a potential claimant outlining the claim and demanding specific action.

Universities UK, an organisation which represents more than 140 institutions, said the pandemic was an “unprecedented challenge” and the sector had to “adapt to a fast-changing situation”.

A spokesperson previously said: “During some periods of lockdown, universities were not permitted to offer in-person teaching as usual, and instead they adjusted quickly and creatively to allow students to complete their degrees.”

The universities sent pre-action letters

University of Bath University of Birmingham Birmingham City University University of Bristol Cardiff University City St George’s University of London 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

How much compensation could you get?

The amount of compensation awarded to students will depend on the university, the fees you were charged, and how your experience was affected. What course a claimant did could also be a factor, as some required more in-person teaching and use of facilities than others.

The Student Group Claim states that, by its estimates, UK-resident undergraduates who were at university during the pandemic will be able to claim on average £5,000 in compensation.

The law firms that jointly brought the case, Harcus Parker and Asserson solicitors, work on a no win, no fee basis, meaning students would have to pay them a portion of their claim if it is successful.

The percentage the law firms can take is capped at 35%. This means if students are awarded £5,000 in compensation, the firms are likely to receive around £1750.