A large number of students have ‘major problems’ with the switch to online teaching and are struggling to deal with the emotional impact and loneliness, according to new research involving 11,500 college and university goers.

One in 20 students report having major mental problems, or say they are having trouble concentrating and are lacking in motivation, the research, carried out on behalf of student union ISO, found.

Translated into the wider student population, this would mean 30,000 to 35,000 students are in trouble, the researchers say.

‘The results are crystal clear. Many students are suffering major problems and psychiatric complaints due to online education,’ said ISO chairman Dahran Coban. ‘And there are real people behind these shocking figures.’

One in three university students now only has lessons online, as do 17% of hbo college students. Most of those who took part in the survey say they want more lessons and lectures at their college or university.

Students are, however, mainly happy with the one to one contact they have with teaching staff and see the lack of daily travelling as an advantage.