• Under the current system of student finance, the average graduate can expect to leave university with debts of around £12,000.
• With credit cards and bank overdrafts, the cost of living in London and the maximum number of student loans, this can rise to as much as £25,000.
• Poorer students owe on average fifteen percent more than other students.
• Average student expenditure for the 98/99 academic year was £5,464 – exceeding the maximum student support by £1,845.
• After deducting rent, the average student had £36.27 per week inside London and £34.85 per week outside London left from their student loan during 2001/2002. Job Seeker’s Allowance claimants have £42.70 per week left.
• Forty-two percent of full-time students work part-time during term time. Fifty-nine percent of those who worked thought that work affected their studies; 38 percent missed lectures as a result of work; and 21 percent failed to submit coursework as a result of part-time work. Sources: Barclays, NUS, UNITE, National Audit Office