Students who started at university last year can expect to owe more than £17,500 when they graduate.

New students starting this year have been warned they could owe another £4,000, pushing them over the £20,000 mark.

An annual survey by Push, a resource for the UK’s prospective students, has found student debt now tops £4,500 for each year of study – up 9.6 percent since last year.

The twice the rate of inflation figure will be a worrying sign for many, but it varies depending on the place of study.

In Scotland, which has the most generous funding system, debts are lower than England or Wales. However, the Scottish average of £3,453 a year is an increase of nearly a third in the past year and, allowing for their four-year courses, students north of the border are only slightly better off in the long run.

England's students owe £199 more than the national average for each year, making their annual debt £4,729.

The national average projected debt on graduation stands at £14,161, but Push reports students at 11 universities have already broken the £20,000 barrier.

Johnny Rich of Push.co.uk said: "It's easy to become immune to stories about student debt, but this increase is not just another rise. Some students are facing real financial hardship. Even so, the advantages of having a degree still vastly outweigh the costs and the Push survey shows that – with high quality advice and information – students can keep their debts down while still enjoying the benefits of university."