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At least 20 of the 24 Russell Group universities, which includes the London School of Economics and Imperial College, said some undergraduate teaching will continue to be held online despite the full lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

Students paying at least £9,250 a year have demanded tuition refunds or reductions because of virtual lessons.

The Daily Express Fair Deal for Students campaign has highlighted the plight of those struggling at university throughout the pandemic.

Some institutions will require students to wear masks on campuses and maintain social distance from September, reports have suggested, while some students may need to have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine to attend social events.

Lord Baker of Dorking, the former Conservative education secretary, told The Times the universities’ were “outrageous”, and that they must return to normal as a matter of urgency
this autumn.

He said: “Pubs, cinemas, theatres and football matches have all opened without restrictions. What’s different about universities?”

Students at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford can expect most of their teaching to be in person – but some will be online.

Many of the universities — including the University of Warwick — will offer a blend of remote and campus teaching.

Academics at Liverpool University have reportedly been told lectures will take place “mostly online” next academic year, while Nottingham University said “large scale” lectures with “high numbers” of students will be delivered remotely.

St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh are expecting large lectures to be online.

Furious students at several institutions have launched petitions calling for a reimbursement of their tuition fees.

Students at Leeds branded another term of online lectures “unacceptable”, adding: “Online teaching is in no way a substitute for in-person learning.”

Universities UK, which represents most universities, said: “Universities continually review their learning and teaching strategies, and will be looking at how and when to incorporate more blended provision in a non-pandemic future.”

The Department for Education said: “Education providers are able to shape their courses without restrictions on face-to-face provision.”

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