Thousands of former students are poised to receive a portion of £21 million following a legal battle regarding the impact of coronavirus lockdowns on their education. University College London (UCL) has agreed to disburse the multi-million sum to approximately 6,500 individuals, without accepting any responsibility. The exact payout per person is yet to be determined, with students asserting they did not receive the full educational experience due to campus closures and the shift to online learning during Covid restrictions.
Legal representatives suggest that this settlement could set a precedent for other universities to compensate affected graduates. Student Group Claim is advocating for about 194,000 claimants from 36 different universities.
UCL recently announced a confidential settlement, stating that while they did not acknowledge any fault, they opted to resolve the matter amicably to avoid additional expenses that could divert resources from teaching and student support. The university emphasized its commitment to delivering a high-quality education and experience for its students, expressing that their priority remains unaffected by the litigation process.
Representatives from the solicitor firms involved in the case expressed satisfaction with the settlement, noting that while the UCL claim has been concluded, their focus will now shift to representing students from other universities affected by the pandemic. Universities UK acknowledged the challenges faced by higher education institutions during the pandemic, highlighting the efforts made to adapt to evolving circumstances and ensure students could complete their degrees under the challenging circumstances.