Graduates are leaving university in hock to the tune of an average £10,000, according to a report published by NatWest today.

The report finds that this year's college leavers are the first to feel the full impact of tuition fees, the abolition of grants and the borrowing available through cheap student loans.

Forum Response: Association of University Teachers

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "It is little wonder that students are ending up in greater debt when the safety net of government sponsored financial support has been removed. The most concerning point about this new research is the growing hardship faced by many students from low and middle-income families.

"Ministers should use the forthcoming spending review to target maintenance support at students from poorer backgrounds."

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com: "Vice-chancellors are genuinely concerned about debt - and perceptions of debt, and are concerned that this is impacting on those least able to afford it. That is why Universities UK last year called for a review of student support.

"We have also made a submission to the government review that was subsequently announced. However, we are very clear that additional funding for students must not be allocated at the expense of funding for our higher education institutions."