Debt levels have risen 43% in four years, a survey found

Meanwhile, two-fifths said tuition fees of up to �3,000 a year could put them off going to university, property firm Unite added.

Its survey, of 1,065 students, found that if fees rose to �5,000, 70% would reconsider doing a degree course.

MPs are due to vote next week on plans to increase maximum fees from 2006. The current rate is �1,125.

'Worrying confusion'

The survey shows average student debt has increased 43% since the autumn of 2000.

One in six respondents said they would "definitely" have chosen a different university had theirs demanded top-up fees.

DOES BUDGETING WORK? I'm trying to keep my outgoings to a minimum by planning Alastair Geddes, student Keeping the debt down

The government says universities should be able to charge more to fund getting 50% of young people into higher education by 2010.

However, the National Union of Students is predicting graduation debts of up to �30,000 if the plan is passed by parliament.

Nicholas Porter, chief executive of Unite, said: "The survey shows that managing finances and debt have become defining features of the student experience.

"Many students are reporting a worrying confusion over sources of funding and a lack of financial awareness leading them to choose expensive forms of debt such as bank loans and credit cards.

"Despite this, most students still believe that going to university is a worthwhile investment."

One in five of students come from a traditional working class background - the same proportion as in 2000 - the survey suggests.

Meanwhile, seven out of ten students agreed the government was "out of touch" with their views.

Just over half of students who received help from parents got at least �500 term, and just over a fifth received �1,500 or more.

But 14% of students did not receive any parental help at all, rising to 20% of students from working class backgrounds, the research found.