Thousands of former students are in line to receive a portion of £21 million following a legal dispute regarding the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns on their education. University College London (UCL) has agreed to compensate approximately 6,500 individuals without admitting any fault. The specific amount each student will receive is yet to be determined, as they claimed they did not receive the full educational experience due to campus closures and the shift to online learning.
The settlement reached by UCL may set a precedent for other universities to provide compensation to affected graduates. Student Group Claim is representing nearly 194,000 claimants from 36 different universities in similar legal actions.
UCL recently announced a confidential settlement, clarifying that while they accepted no liability, they chose to resolve the matter amicably to avoid diverting resources away from teaching and student support. The university emphasized its commitment to providing an exceptional education experience.
Legal representatives of the claimants expressed satisfaction with the resolution, noting that while the UCL case has concluded, they continue to advocate for thousands of students who faced disruptions at other universities during the pandemic.
Universities UK acknowledged the challenges posed by the pandemic, highlighting that universities, like other sectors, adapted swiftly to comply with government guidelines. Despite limitations on in-person teaching during lockdowns, universities made innovative adjustments to ensure students could complete their studies.
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