QUEEN'S University has agreed to scale back its face-to-face learning for the rest of the year.
It was the only institution in Ireland continuing to prioritise in-person teaching over online classes.
It maintained this position even after a coronavirus outbreak in its halls of residence.
Hundreds of students and staff have been self-isolating. The university said there were 27 new cases each day. Around half of these were being identified at Elms Village in south Belfast.
In the first two weeks of term, there were more than 160 positive cases causing almost 400 students and staff to self-isolate.
The executive this week said all universities and further education colleges would deliver distance learning "to the maximum extent possible". They will only offer face-to-face learning where it is an unavoidable part of the course.
Queen's had been aiming to provide as much face-to-face teaching as possible, applying social distancing and hygiene measures.
A connected learning approach was being adopted with online delivery "complementing face-to-face teaching as necessary".
All the main universities in the Republic have been putting online learning first.
Ulster University had also announced that there would be no face-to-face lectures until at least Christmas.
A Queen's spokeswoman said the safety and wellbeing of staff and students was its first priority.
"We firmly believe in the value of face-to-face teaching for the education and wellbeing of our students where that can be delivered safely and in line with public health advice. However, following the announcement from the executive, we will be moving more teaching online for the remainder of this semester," she said.
"Face-to-face delivery will only continue where this is considered essential and unavoidable. Students will be contacted and provided with the specific details for their course.
"University accommodation and student support services will remain open, along with as many facilities as possible within the context of the restrictions announced."
Ulster University said it was committed to protecting the health and safety "of the entire Northern Ireland community".
"We have ensured a safe working, learning and living environment across all four campuses with the cooperation of staff and students for those who have returned to campus," a spokeswoman said.
"Earlier this year we directed that all semester one teaching that could be delivered online would be delivered online. Staff have worked hard to make extensive preparations over recent months so that all Ulster University students are able to access course materials and participate in engaging and interactive online learning. All of our student support and wellbeing services are also fully accessible online.
"Our delivery for semester one has at all times been informed by the guidance issued by the Northern Ireland Executive. Following updated guidance, most students will continue to follow their course entirely online, with limited on-campus teaching activities taking place only where it is necessary for the development of practical skills that are essential to learning outcomes. We remain ready to respond flexibly at every stage as we work together to tackle this public health emergency."
