Gap-year students 'out to earn cash'

A NatWest Bank survey of 2,000 students in England, Scotland and Wales found building up a lump sum was the most important reason for taking a year out for 47% of prospective undergraduates.

As studies suggest the average student now leaves university with £10,000 of debt, half of the sixth formers surveyed for NatWest said they were put off going to university for this very reason.

But those that were going onto university said they were happy to pay their way with 87% said they did not mind working part time to fund their studies.

Starting salaries

The study showed sixth formers were very aware of what sort of salaries they could expect to start on once they graduated.

They were banking on earning £15,760.

The survey also found 80% of sixth formers believed they should have lessons at school on how to manage money.

NatWest head of student and graduate banking Ann-Marie Blake said: "It's good to see such a high level of support among sixth formers for lessons on how to manage money at school.

"Financial discipline from an early age can help prevent a lot of future headaches."