Over 170,000 students are taking legal action against 36 universities in England and Wales. They seek compensation because their studies were moved online during Covid-19. The students say they paid for in-person teaching and full access to facilities. Instead, campuses were closed and lessons held online. Lawyers claim this breaks consumer law, which says if a service is lower in value than paid for, customers can claim compensation. Some top universities involved are Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Imperial College London, Leeds, Liverpool, and Warwick. University College London settled last week with a student group representing 6,000 students. Although UCL admitted no liability and kept terms confidential, lawyers said students could claim up to £5,000 each. The case was due in court soon but settled last minute. Shimon Goldwater, a lawyer for the students, said, "UK undergraduates at university during the pandemic borrowed money at ridiculous interest rates to fund courses which were ruined by online teaching and closed facilities. Student Group Claim is helping students challenge universities to do what they should have done during Covid: pay students compensation for not providing them with the in-person teaching for which they paid." Other universities facing action include Birmingham, Coventry, LSE, Manchester, Newcastle, and York. More claims can be made until September 2026. Student Georgia Johnson said her postgraduate teaching course online was tough. "I sat in a room learning how to teach over Zoom," she said. The delay hurt her mental health and career. Dr Michael Spence, president of UCL, said, "We recognise that the Covid years were incredibly difficult for students. Covid-19 created disruption across society, and universities were no exception. Throughout the pandemic we provided clear routes for students to seek redress, and many secured compensation through those established processes. This resolution enables us to focus on our core mission of delivering world-leading research and education." Universities UK said they followed government rules and adapted quickly. Their spokesperson said, "During some periods of lockdown, universities were not permitted to offer in-person teaching as usual and instead they adjusted quickly and creatively to allow students to complete their degrees."