What is the ruling regarding Friday prayer if its time clashes with important practical lessons that would cause students to miss a significant portion of the explanation and application?

You must combine attending Jumu'ah prayer and attending classes by making an effort, such as praying in a mosque where the prayer finishes early, or a mosque near the university. It is permissible to perform Jumu'ah individually and before zawal (midday), which is the relied-upon opinion in the Hanbali madhhab. By doing so, you can combine performing Jumu'ah prayer and studying.