Students who started university in the UK last year could owe up to £17,500 by the time they graduate, and new students nearly £4,000 more than that, a survey has revealed.
The Push survey of 2,000 students suggests the average debt tops £4,500 for each year of study - 9.6% more than last year.
The rise suggests students are being badly hit by the credit crunch.
Meanwhile, another poll of 3,385 students for the National Union of Students found prospective students tend to underestimate their spending, which could mean trouble for their future finances.
The students’ total underestimation of their weekly spending amounts to just under £20 - a sizeable amount on a student budget, and suggests it could mean students struggle to make ends meet.
The Push survey revealed considerable differences across the UK, with debts in Scotland lower than England or Wales.
The average yearly debt was highest in England at £4,729, where students are now charged £3,145 a year in fees. However, the Scottish average of £3,453 a year is an increase of nearly a third in the past year and, allowing for their four-year courses, students north of the border are only slightly better off in the long run.
There was considerable variation between individual universities too. The national average projected debt on graduation stands at £14,161, but at 11 universities, the figure has already broken the £20,000 barrier.
'Credit crunch'
Series editor of Push.co.uk Johnny Rich said: "It's easy to become immune to stories about student debt, but this increase is not just another rise. Some students are facing real financial hardship.
"Even so the advantages of having a degree still outweigh the costs and the Push survey shows that - with high quality advice and information - students can keep their debts down while still enjoying the benefits of university."
The NUS survey also showed students expected more financial help and information than they are likely to receive. Some four in 10 thought they were entitled to a bursary to help support their studies, but only 28% were.
SoR director of professional policy, Audrey Paterson said despite healthcare bursaries, radiography students are increasingly vulnerable to debt: "This research shows all students need more support and advice on managing their finances. The NHS bursary protects radiography students to a certain extent but student debt is still a reality for most.
"In my last post as director of interprofessional education at Canterbury Christchurch University College, I helped students deal with quite awful financial problems. Debt was a recurring factor in the reasons students gave to leave training. Despite the demands of the degree programme in radiography, well over half of the students in the college also worked part-time, it is the only way they could live while they trained for a better life down the track."
SoR Student Observer to UK Council, Mark Terry, agrees many students lack the information to navigate complex funding systems: "As radiography students we are lucky to have NHS bursaries but from my fellow students' experiences the bursary seems to favour those who are mature students and have dependents. Those straight from college have a disadvantage as they are seen as dependents unless they can provide proof!
"The student loan is available, although I don't think people really realise the debt they are getting into and then it hangs around their neck for years later."
• Is debt the reality for radiography students? Email the editor to share your experiences.
• Look out in the next issue of StudentTalk for expert advice on managing your finances.
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