12th August 2011 16:15
By Blue Tutors
According to an independent survey conducted by the student guide PUSH, students who begin their university courses next year are likely to graduate with nearly £60,000 in debt. 2,808 students responded from universities all over the country responded to the survey and reported banks loans, student loans and amounts borrowed from their parents.
Students in the UK are currently accumulating an average of £5,681 in debts each year, a figure which is set to rise sharply after the introduction of higher tuition fees. The information supplied by survey indicates that over a quarter of the necessary funds are being supplied by sources other than the student loans company, with bank loans and amounts owing to family amounting to the second highest figures.
On publication of these figures the government is facing fresh criticism over its failure to explain how students are expected to manage debts of £60,000. Many top universities have spoken out against higher education funding plans, pointing out that the new structure will mean students have to make higher education choices based on what they can afford rather than academic ability.