More than 170,000 current and former students are initiating legal proceedings against 36 universities in the United Kingdom. They argue that the education they received during the Covid-19 pandemic was not worth the fees they paid, as many classes were transitioned to online formats. This collective action follows a confidential settlement reached earlier between University College London and a student group that now serves as a representative for students from various institutions.

The legal challenge involves sending pre-action letters to the 36 universities, indicating that damages will be sought for not providing the expected in-person education. Universities UK, which represents over 140 higher education institutions in the UK, has come to the defense of these universities, asserting that the pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge that required fast adaptations to ensure students could still progress and complete their degrees, albeit online.

This situation raises significant questions about the quality and value of education during extraordinary circumstances and how institutions handle crises affecting their operations. The outcome of this legal action could potentially impact future educational policies and the relationship between students and universities regarding their service expectations and rights.