In 2022, the number of student complaints about university courses in England and Wales hit a record high for the fourth consecutive year. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator received 2,850 complaints, a 3% increase from 2021, and awarded £1,050,114 in compensation.
Although most of the 2.5 million students in England and Wales reported positive experiences, just under a quarter of the complaints related to the pandemic.
Academic appeals, including grades, accounted for 38% of the total complaints, up from 29% in 2021. This increase followed the end of “no detriment” or “safety net” policies that protected students’ grades from Covid disruption.
Service issues, such as teaching, represented 38% of the complaints, down from 45% in 2021. The rise in complaints comes amidst strikes over pay, working conditions, and pensions, adding pressure to universities already facing soaring demand for places.
Despite the challenging situation, Universities UK stated that the OIA report would help institutions know how and where to improve.
