STUDENTS who tested positive for coronovirus following an outbreak in their university have already returned home.
Queen's University Belfast confirmed that a "small number" living in its accommodation had been diagnosed.
While some are now not leaving their halls of residence, others are in their homes, Queen's said.
About 40 universities around Britain and Northern Ireland have reported Covid cases and thousands of students are self-isolating.
British prime minister Boris Johnson has been urged to ensure online tuition "becomes the norm" amid concern over the impact of lockdowns.
The University and College Union accused some institutions of adopting a "stubborn position" over requiring in-person teaching because they depended on rent from student accommodation.
The union's comments came following a surge in cases at institutions including Glasgow, Manchester Metropolitan and Edinburgh Napier.
Scores of students from Ireland are among those affected.
The outbreak at Queen's is understood to be significantly smaller and the university said evidence suggested that any transmission of the virus was taking place in social settings.
It clarified that students had been asked to self-isolate wherever they were.
"The university has in place robust protocols to minimise the risk of further spread that are being applied," a spokeswoman said.
"All other students and their families should remain calm and continue to follow public health guidelines to protect themselves and others."
First minister Arlene Foster said the Executive Office will hold meetings with the north's two universities today.
She sent students who are self-isolating her best wishes.
"There are many scare stories about universities and our young people but I believe in our young people - I believe on the whole they want to do what is right and I'd appeal to them to abide by the regulations," sje said.
NUS-USI president Ellen Fearon said students had done everything they had been asked during the pandemic, and were now returning to campuses in accordance with government advice.
"This has been one of the most stressful years in living memory for our society, and students are now coping with the additional challenge of managing Covid restrictions far from home and without their usual support networks. They need more support than ever," she said.
"We urge universities to work closely with students' unions to make sure that students' needs are met and that their mental and physical health is supported."
Meanwhile, Larissa Kennedy, head of the National Union of Students, claimed some young people in Britain were "trapped" in "disgusting conditions".
"I'm hearing from some students across the country where there are security guards outside of these blocks where students are being kept, stopping people from leaving, coming and going, where students are being discouraged from getting deliveries and told by the university that they'll deliver food and that delivery has not arrived and so they've gone for the day without food," she said.
