Profits at the University of Law almost doubled during lockdown, as more students opt for online study programmes, new figures reveal. 

According to the university’s annual accounts for the year ended 30 November 2020, money collected from course fees rose by 24% to £107.7m, while profit before tax increased by 93% to £15.6m year-on-year. In the same period, the number of students rose by 19% to 13,168.

ULaw said it had had a successful year despite the ‘very significant’ challenges posed by the pandemic. It noted particularly rapid growth in online and international students, and said there was a ‘large uptick’ in the number of aspiring barristers on its new bar practice course. 

A student takes notes as she watches a lesson on her laptop

ULaw's profit before tax rose by 93%

Source: iStock

Andrea Nollent, vice chancellor and chief executive of ULaw, was the highest paid director in the year. She received a salary of £279,000 plus a £50,000 bonus – 25% more than the previous year.

The university suspended face-to-teaching between March and June 2020 as a result of the pandemic, instead running courses online. In September 2020, law schools began to reopen with protective visors, thermographic cameras, plastic screens and one-way systems introduced to protect students. However, teaching moved back online in November when lockdown was reintroduced.

ULaw said there has been no sign of an increase in student withdrawals and student recruitment has remained strong.

In April, ULaw’s rival BPP reported that its operating profit had more than trebled in the year ended 30 August 2020 to £17.97m. The accounts, which were filed with Companies House, listed cost saving actions including savings made on flexible staffing, property related expenses, room hire, travel and entertainment.