Some academics argue young people should 'face up to difficult things'

University students left distressed by learning about sex, suicide or violence are being offered deadline extensions, resits and even exemptions to ensure they are not disadvantaged.

Newcastle University has issued guidance for lecturers covering 'sensitive topics', which includes rape, abuse, misogyny and racism.

But Dennis Haynes, professor of education at Derby University and director of campaign group Academics for Academic Freedom, dismissed the policy to The Sunday Times as 'bureaucratic mollycoddling'.

Newcastle University has issued guidance to lecturers dealing with students who have been affected by learning about 'sensitive topics' including abuse, suicide or violence (file picture)

Many institutions across the UK already employ a policy of 'trigger warnings', whereby students are told in advance of any material in lectures and seminars which could be potentially upsetting.

It is feared discussions of sex, suicide or religion or graphic images of war or crime could cause problems with students who have suffered related trauma.

The practice of trigger warnings began in the US, but has now spread across the pond to universities including Goldsmiths, Edinburgh and the London School of Economics.

In Oxford, undergraduates studying law are being told before lectures on cases involving violence or death that they can leave if they fear the content will be too ‘distressing’.

Some academics have defended the warnings, including Dr Naomi Wolf, a university lecturer in Victorian sexualities.

Some universities are concerned that students have been left distressed by learning about war and death and have been issuing 'trigger warnings' in advance of lectures (file picture)

Speaking to The Times last month, she said: 'Trauma from sexual or other assault and abuse is very real, and triggers are real for victims of abuse.

'But the place to process or deal with survivor triggers is with a trained therapist in a counsellor's office, and not in a classroom.'

Meanwhile television presenter Mary Beard, who teaches classics at Cambridge, argued that young adults should 'face up to difficult things'.