Student debt

Students are seriously underestimating the basic costs of living at a time when debt is reaching record highs, the UCU lecturers’ union warns. A survey by the NUS students’ union reveals that prospective university students underestimate the costs of groceries, household bills and travel by nearly £450 a year.

A separate survey by university guide Push.co.uk shows that students who started university last year can expect to owe over £17,500 when they leave. UCU warned the government to “think carefully what direction higher education and student funding will take ahead of next year’s fees review”. It said any increase in fees could put off students from under-represented backgrounds going to university.