Debt making students live at home

In the NatWest survey, over a fifth of students now live at home, an increase of a third in just a year, with 71 per cent of students fearing that “money will be very tight”.

“Concern over the cost of going to university could be one of the reasons prompting more young people to study and stay at home with parents rather than move away,” said Mark Worthington, Head of NatWest student and graduate banking.

“This, coupled with a greater focus on careers after graduation, is a significant and growing influence on both the location of the university chosen and the course selected.”

Changing student attitudes due to debt and costs were highlighted last month when a LloydsTSB survey found that 86 per cent of undergraduates would rather clear debt and get a good degree than get involved in protests and other student stereotypes.