Tens of thousands of students face delays in completing their degrees because coronavirus put a stop on formal classes, practical exams and internships, according to research carried out for student lobby group ISO.

In particular, students say the quality of their courses has suffered by the shift to online education, with three quarters saying that the standard of lectures has gone down.

Some 10,000 university and hbo college students took part in the survey, which showed some 30% have not been able to complete the work needed to collect the necessary credits because of the closures.

One in five have been faced with cancelled lessons and two in five students have missed out on practical lessons and lab work.

‘A month’s delay easily costs students €1,000 if they live away from home,’ ISO chairman Kees Gillesse said. ‘Ways have to be found to give students lessons in person so they can work away some of the delays.’

Universities and colleges are currently only allowed to offer physical classes between 11am and 3-m and after 8pm to make sure the public transport system does not become over-crowded. This, Gillesse said, is an added problem.