Fear of debt may prevent 50% of Britain’s sixth-formers from applying to university.

In a national study commissioned by the Universities Marketing Forum, 48% of sixth formers considering going to university said that they were ‘very likely’ or ‘quite likely’ not to go because they could not afford the cost of living.

Respondents cited said high living costs and university fees as “the main barriers” to studying for a degree.

Students starting university this year will face top-up fees of £3,000-a-year.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson, who is responsible for the structure of these fees, claimed recently that the cost of fees would be no more than “the price of a pint” to graduates.