University Covid compensation: students could get £3,270 over lockdown uni disruption – how to claim

• £21m settlement agreed after students claimed Covid disruption
• Around 6,500 could receive an average payout of £3,270
• Lawyers say similar claims could hit 36 other UK universities
• More than 200,000 students have signed up to explore action
• Those who paid full fees during lockdown may be eligible to claim

Thousands of people could be in line for payouts worth thousands of pounds over Covid disruption.

It comes after a major university agreed to settle former students’ claims, and lawyers say this could just be the start.

University College London (UCL) has agreed to pay £21million to settle a legal claim brought by 6,500 students who argued they did not receive the education and campus experience they paid for during the pandemic.

While UCL “admitted no liability”, the settlement works out at an average of roughly £3,270 per claimant, although the exact amount each student will receive has not yet been confirmed.

The claim centred on the 2020–21 academic year, when most lectures moved online and access to facilities such as libraries, studios and specialist equipment was restricted or closed entirely. Many graduation ceremonies were also cancelled, delayed or held virtually.

Why this could affect far more students

Lawyers behind the case say the agreement could open the door to similar compensation claims at other universities.

A coalition known as Student Group Claim made up of law firms experienced in large-scale litigation says it represents more than 200,000 current and former students from 36 UK universities.

The group is pursuing claims on a no-win, no-fee basis and has reportedly sent pre-action letters to dozens of institutions.

It argues that students paid tuition fees for in-person teaching and access to campus facilities, but instead received remote learning and limited access to resources for extended periods.

Who could be eligible?

You may be able to claim if you were enrolled at a UK university during Covid, particularly in 2020–21, your course was moved largely or entirely online, you lost access to key facilities such as labs, studios or libraries, and you paid full tuition fees during this period

Claims are expected to vary depending on the course, university and level of disruption experienced.

How to claim compensation

If you believe you were affected, start by checking whether your university is part of the Student Group Claim.

Register your interest through the group’s website (claims are typically no-win, no-fee), and gather evidence, such as enrolment details, course information and communications about closures or online learning.

Even if your university has not yet settled, legal experts say the UCL case could encourage others to negotiate.

For former students still feeling short-changed by lockdown learning, this could be the first real chance to recoup some of what they paid.