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New students 'face £23,000 debt' | New students 'face £23,000 debt' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Students starting university courses this autumn can expect to graduate owing £23,000, a survey suggests. | Students starting university courses this autumn can expect to graduate owing £23,000, a survey suggests. |
The Push Student Debt Survey of 2,024 students at varying stages of degree courses found debts averaged more than £5,000 a year and that this was rising. | The Push Student Debt Survey of 2,024 students at varying stages of degree courses found debts averaged more than £5,000 a year and that this was rising. |
Separate research by the National Union of Students suggests some degrees have higher "hidden costs" than others, such as for equipment or books. | Separate research by the National Union of Students suggests some degrees have higher "hidden costs" than others, such as for equipment or books. |
The government said it was spending £5bn this year on student support. | The government said it was spending £5bn this year on student support. |
The survey suggests the amount of debt students incur varies widely between regions and institutions. | The survey suggests the amount of debt students incur varies widely between regions and institutions. |
Students in England have the highest levels of debt - an average of £5,271 for each year of study. In London some students say they will have over £30,000 of debt by the time they finish their course. | Students in England have the highest levels of debt - an average of £5,271 for each year of study. In London some students say they will have over £30,000 of debt by the time they finish their course. |
Debt levels in England have risen by 10% in the last year. They have also risen by 30% in a year in Northern Ireland, from very low levels five years ago, to an average of £4,324 a year now. | Debt levels in England have risen by 10% in the last year. They have also risen by 30% in a year in Northern Ireland, from very low levels five years ago, to an average of £4,324 a year now. |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
They are also rising sharply in Wales where annual student debts are an average £4,021. | They are also rising sharply in Wales where annual student debts are an average £4,021. |
But in Scotland, debt levels have fallen, with students owing £2,194 for each year of study. | But in Scotland, debt levels have fallen, with students owing £2,194 for each year of study. |
Students in Scotland who are Scottish or from another EU country outside the UK have their tuition fees paid by the government, and students no longer have to pay back a graduate endowment after finishing their course. | Students in Scotland who are Scottish or from another EU country outside the UK have their tuition fees paid by the government, and students no longer have to pay back a graduate endowment after finishing their course. |
Tuition fees in the rest of the UK are to be reviewed. | Tuition fees in the rest of the UK are to be reviewed. |
'Real headache' | 'Real headache' |
Push interviewed 2,024 students in years one to four of their degree course, in person. | Push interviewed 2,024 students in years one to four of their degree course, in person. |
Johnny Rich, editor of Push.co.uk, said he thought the recession was partly fuelling rising student debt. | Johnny Rich, editor of Push.co.uk, said he thought the recession was partly fuelling rising student debt. |
"Finding part-time work has got harder and many students are facing real financial hardship and are worrying about what lies ahead. | "Finding part-time work has got harder and many students are facing real financial hardship and are worrying about what lies ahead. |
"Even so, the advantages of having a degree still vastly outweigh the costs. | "Even so, the advantages of having a degree still vastly outweigh the costs. |
"These figures will give next year's review of student funding a real headache. | "These figures will give next year's review of student funding a real headache. |
"They beg the question of whether we've now passed the point where students can be expected to stump up any more towards their education." | "They beg the question of whether we've now passed the point where students can be expected to stump up any more towards their education." |
'Hidden costs' | 'Hidden costs' |
The separate NUS study found that, for some university courses, students had to pay out more significantly more money in additional costs. | The separate NUS study found that, for some university courses, students had to pay out more significantly more money in additional costs. |
Students of maths and computer science spent the most - an average of £1,430.40 per year on books and equipment, the study said. | Students of maths and computer science spent the most - an average of £1,430.40 per year on books and equipment, the study said. |
NUS president Wes Streeting said universities needed to "be more open". | NUS president Wes Streeting said universities needed to "be more open". |
"There should be better information, advice and guidance about student finance on university websites and in their prospectuses," he said. | "There should be better information, advice and guidance about student finance on university websites and in their prospectuses," he said. |
Higher education minister David Lammy said the government was committed to ensuring cost was not a barrier to any student going to university, whatever their background. | Higher education minister David Lammy said the government was committed to ensuring cost was not a barrier to any student going to university, whatever their background. |
"There are currently record numbers of students at our universities with applications at an all-time high. | "There are currently record numbers of students at our universities with applications at an all-time high. |
"We want to widen access further, which is why we will continue to offer a generous package of support including bursaries, grants and loans at low interest that do not have to be paid back until graduates are in work and earning over £15,000 a year. | "We want to widen access further, which is why we will continue to offer a generous package of support including bursaries, grants and loans at low interest that do not have to be paid back until graduates are in work and earning over £15,000 a year. |
"Getting a degree remains a strong investment for a future career with graduates earning on average considerably more over a lifetime than people without a degree level qualification." | "Getting a degree remains a strong investment for a future career with graduates earning on average considerably more over a lifetime than people without a degree level qualification." |