Potential students now expect a three-year degree will cost them £34,740, according to 1,020 17 and 18-year-olds quizzed in NatWest’s survey.
They estimated £84.08 would be spent each week on rent, £17.31 on alcohol, £12.57 on books and £20.08 on shopping. Other costs – including socialising, clothes, transport, utility bills, cigarettes and eating out – were all taken into consideration.
Another survey carried out by online university guide Push showed debts for students in England have risen by a quarter in the past 12 months.
NUS president Gemma Tumelty said: “The Push survey is extremely worrying. It shows unequivocally that graduate debt is increasing because of top-up fees.
“Creating a student funding package that doesn’t cripple students once they graduate isn’t rocket science.”
The Department of Innovation, University and Skills said: “Support is available to students, particularly those from low income families, who can receive grants of up to £2,700 per annum. From 2008/9 onwards, around two-thirds of new full-time entrants will be eligible for a full or partial grant.”
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