More than 170,000 current and former students are taking legal action against 36 universities in the UK, accusing them of failing to deliver the education they paid for during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The move follows a confidential settlement involving University College London (UCL) and about 6,000 students, a development that has opened the door for wider claims across the university sector.
Pre-action letters have been issued to the universities, warning that students will seek compensation for courses delivered online rather than in person.
The claims focus on tuition fee differences, limited access to facilities, and reduced learning experiences, especially for courses requiring specialist equipment.
Defending the institutions, Universities UK said universities faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic and had to adapt quickly to restrictions.
The universities named include Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Warwick, York, and several others.
The claims cover the 2019–20, 2020–21, and 2021–22 academic years, with some courses still partly online in 2022–23.
The deadline for Covid-related claims is September 2026.
