The PSNI arrested 18 people for public disorder offences in the university area of Belfast last night.
The trouble occurred in the early hours in the Holyland area of south Belfast, close to Queen`s University.
A police spokesman said most of the arrests were made for disorderly behaviour as the students celebrated St Patrick's Day with parties around the area.
"Numerous persons were given advice and warnings by police while details of houses where disorderly behaviour took place will be passed on to the relevant university or college," he added.
Queen`s pro-vice chancellor Professor Gerry McCormac, who visited the area last night, said he suspected students were involved in the disturbances. "I`m disappointed that all the appeals we have made have fallen on deaf ears for some," he said.
"All we can do is to continue to apply the disciplinary procedures that we have put in place." Both Queen`s and the University of Ulster had earlier warned students living in the area not to cause trouble.
They wrote to all students living in the area - where there had been clashes with residents in recent months - urging them to behave over St Patrick`s Day and warning they would "deal severely" with anyone reported to them for anti-social behaviour.
PA