Student leaders say that rising housing costs are adding to students' burden of debt.

According to the results of an annual survey of accommodation costs, the National Union of Students says that students outside London are now spending 84% of their income on rent.

In London, where students receive an extra weighted allowance, spending on housing is slightly lower at 81% of income.

The figures show that the average rent for university accommodation is �58.46 - representing a 5% increase on last year.

The survey also identified the University of Westminster as the most expensive place to study - and Gwent Tertiary College as the cheapest.

"Students are surely the only group in society who are obliged to spend 80% of their income on housing. This figure shows clearly why one in five students fail to complete their course," said NUS national president, Andrew Pakes.

The unions says that as all other expenses had to be found from the remaining 20% of income, the number of students facing financial hardship would increase.

At present, the NUS claims that three quarters of students leave university with debts of more than �3,000.

The accommodation survey shows the universities where students are paying the most rent (based on a single person self catering) as:

University of Westminster
University of North London
Southampton Institute
University of Bath
London Guildhall University
Anglia Polytechnic University (Cambridge)
University of Middlesex
King's College, London
Queen Mary & Westfield
University of Bournemouth

The accommodation survey shows the universities where students are paying the least rent (based on a single person self catering) as:

Gwent Tertiary College
Dumfries and Galloway College of Technology
University of Hull
University of Wales Lampeter
Warrington College
Loughborough University
University of Paisley
Cardiff College of Medicine
University of Salford
University of Essex