Third of university students say parents cannot make up shortfalls in living expenses

One third of university students feel their parents are unable to provide adequate financial support to help them through the duration of their course, according to a survey of undergraduates.

Advice website Save the Student conducted research that showed the average student spends £735 a month on living costs including rent, with a typical maintenance loan only covering £438 of that sum, leaving a £277 monthly shortfall.

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Previous research by the Sutton Trust has estimated that graduates will now be forced to leave university with more than £44,000 worth of debt, compared to less than £25,000 two years ago, due to the increase of tuition fees of up to £9,000 per academic year.

It is estimated the majority of students will still be paying back loans from their university days in their 40s and 50s, while many will never manage to clear their debt at all.

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