Things were not always as cushy for undergraduates

They are trying to turn their backs on the stereo-type of damp grotty digs and are being more selective, a survey suggests.

With A-level results due out next week, students are preparing to make arrangements for taking up university places.

A survey by MORI found six in 10 expected to have a washing machine and dryer.

Another 40% wanted car-parking spaces.

Cleaning

But, perhaps with time-saving in mind, the biggest priority was being close to their university - half of those questioned said this was the most important factor to them.

The second most important thing was the price of the accommodation.

The survey was carried out by MORI for the UK's biggest student landlord, Unite.

Researchers found that expectations for basic standards were quite high.

Most (75%) expected communal areas to be cleaned regularly, 62% said bills should be included.

The findings are previously unpublished details from a wider study Unite commissioned into student life.

More than 1,000 undergraduates in 21 universities across the UK were questioned.

A spokesman for the National Union of Students said: "The majority of students are looking for somewhere clean and convenient for their place of study."