The students handed in their lawsuit at Swansea County Court

They have claimed their education had suffered since Colwyn Williamson was suspended more than a month ago.

The lecturer, a critic of the closure of departments including his own, has been off work following allegations he 'hacked' into university computers.

But the university said students were receiving professional teaching from experienced staff in his absence.

We have ensured that those students studying Philosophy have been provided with professional teaching Professor Noel Thompson

Mr Williamson received a police caution for an offence under the Computer and Misuse Act. He has remained off work pending the outcome of the university's own investigation.

The students submitted their lawsuit to Swansea's County Court on Friday.

It has been prepared by law student Jamie Insole who will also represent them if it comes before a court.

He said the students were alleging that the university had failed to provide adequate cover for Mr Williamson and had failed to properly address students' complaints.

Paul Meehan, a third year philosophy student, said: "Colwyn Williamson is a very good and competent lecturer.

Paul Meehan said he had concerns over his final exams

"Basically the stop-gap measures that have been put in place are inadequate.

"We have gone through the threat of closure to our department for the last year and a half and the university had promised it would not affect our degree.

"We just feel that the university has let us down by failing to provide for us."

The students said there were concerns about their final year examinations as Mr Williamson would not be around to set and mark the papers on the lecturers he had given.

"We put forward a measure where Colwyn Williamson would set and mark the papers but that has been rejected," added Mr Meehan.

'Surprised and disappointed'

Head of the school at the university, Professor Noel Thompson, said: "As in many higher education institutions, teaching staff absences occur for numerous reasons, for example illness, maternity leave or where there is evidence of a criminal offence.

"We have ensured that those students studying philosophy at the university have been provided with professional teaching for the continuation of their studies."

The university encouraged students to speak with their head of department if they had any concerns regarding their course.

"In this case, I am surprised and disappointed that this initial action by the students has been taken as I have only been approached by one student regarding the teaching cover provided, " he added.