QUEEN'S University Belfast (QUB) last night confirmed that the "majority of teaching will now be delivered remotely in January".
The university said the return to widespread remote learning for most students next month comes after it had "reviewed the developing public health situation and taken some clinical advice".
In an email to students and staff, the university said "the majority of lectures, tutorials and seminars will be delivered online" in the new year.
It comes as Ulster University (UU) last night said it was "monitoring the situation closely" and that any changes to its teaching would be made after tomorrow's Executive meeting.
Most students at the two universities only returned to face-to-face teaching in September after lessons were taught remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But for the majority of students returning to QUB next month, it will be a return to online learning.
"Having reviewed the developing public health situation and taken some clinical advice, we have made the decision that it will be necessary for the University to adjust our teaching arrangements for January 2022," the university said.
"We have done this to provide certainty for staff and students before the Christmas break.
"The majority of teaching will now be delivered remotely in January."
It said some classes, which have to take place face-to-face, will go ahead on campus, including some laboratory sessions or classes in clinical skills as part of medical courses.
The email also said that exams due to take place from January 4 "will proceed as planned, with enhanced social distancing in place", while the university libraries and student support services will remain open.
Staff and postgraduate students have also been told to work from home if possible.
However, UU have not yet made any changes amid the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.
A UU spokeswoman last night told The Irish News: "We are monitoring the situation closely and any adjustments to our semester two operations will be made following the Executive meeting and any associated guidance on Wednesday".
