Expected debts varied by university

A survey of more than 11,000 students by the insurer Endsleigh found those at Queen Mary, University of London, predicted most debt - �19,550.

The least - expected by students at Newcastle, Brighton and Sheffield - was still more than �10,000.

Expected starting salaries ranged from �23,024 at the School of African and Oriental Studies to �15,385 at Paisley.

'Quicker repayments'

The survey also found men thought they would leave university owing an average of �12,822, while for women the figure was �12,262.

Both men and women graduating from Brighton University believed they would repay their debts in just four years, the lowest in the country.

Female graduates from the University of Middlesex and Goldsmiths College, expected to take 13 years - the longest.

A recent study by the NatWest bank showed average debt of students leaving university in England, Scotland and Wales rose by 33% on the year.

This year's graduates owe �12,180 on average, an increase of �4,055 on 2003, it found.