The poll of more than 1,000 parents by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) found that 33% expect to use some of their cash savings to help fund university costs, 10% will use all or most of their cash savings, 5% will sell their shares and investments and 4% will take out a bank loan in their own name.

On the slightly more extreme level, 12% would be willing to put off early retirement, 10% would postpone moving to a bigger house and 3% would downsize their family home.

This is all well and good but the research also revealed that the average debt for students starting at a UK university in 2012 is expected to be a staggering £53,000 on graduation.

And worryingly mums and dads appear to be burying their heads in the sand, with the average parent thinking their offspring will come out with arrears of only £18,000.

That’s a huge discrepancy.

I wonder what will happen when these students come out of university laden with debt. The lack of graduate jobs has been widely reported for some time. I can only assume a fair few will turn to their parents again for help.

And what about when it comes to getting on the property ladder for the first time? Again, mums and dads will be the first port of call for many.

But if parents have spent their savings, sold their investments and downsized their homes to help fund their kids’ uni costs, it may not be viable for them to help their offspring further down the line.

Perhaps we will see a surge in the number of parents getting into serious debt themselves to help their kids?

And for those of you who think kids should fund themselves through university, think again.

Apparently, only 7% of uni students plan on getting a part time job.

Joanna Faith is editor of Your Money