COVID-19 and Loneliness in Higher Education: a UK-based cohort comparison study

COVID-19 changed university life worldwide as campuses closed or offered restricted in-person teaching. Whilst early evidence suggests that educational experiences were satisfactory, concerns were raised about the impact of COVID-19 on social and psychological elements of university including student loneliness. We conducted a UK-wide cross-sectional cohort comparison study using an anonymous online survey measuring loneliness and the factors which may predict it: belonging (need to belong and achieved belonging), social support, and social identity. We found that students who began their studies at the height of the pandemic (2020/21) or after restrictions largely lifted (2021/22) had a reduced sense of belonging compared to those who started earlier (2019/20), suggesting some long-lasting effects on students. Whilst there were no significant cohort differences in loneliness, need to belong, sense of belonging, and social support were significant predictors of loneliness, suggesting these factors could be targeted to reduce loneliness in students going forward.