Over a third of students are planning to continue their studies next year amid fears there will be no job opportunities available when they graduate.

In a joint report from the National Union of Students (NUS) and HSBC, two thirds of final year students admit to being concerned about the current economic climate.

In the Students in Employment and Post Course Plans survey, researchers found that middle-class students were more likely than any other group to have to support themselves financially while at university.

NUS president Wes Streeting said: "It is clearly an extremely worrying time for many students, with top up fees leaving them in record levels of debt and graduate job prospects drying up.

"Middle-class students in particular are feeling the pinch. They do not qualify for grants or bursaries, but their families are not earning enough to support them through a degree.

"It is remarkable that some vice chancellors are still insensitive enough to call for even higher fees during a time of economic crisis. They have to acknowledge that students and their families are already bearing enough of a burden."

The joint survey found 30 per cent of final year students said they had changed their plans for after they graduate as a result of the economic climate, and 38 per cent of final year students planned to do further study, up from 27 per cent last year.

The survey also found 42.5 per cent of students from middle-income families work during term time, compared to just 36 per cent from poorer families and 27 per cent of students from richer families.

A recent report from Universities UK said graduates would owe an average of over £26,000 if the cap on fees were raised to £5,000 a year, and over £32,000 if the cap were raised to £7,000 a year.

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