Student finances are even tougher this year for those starting their university courses, as maintenance loans are just 2.5% higher than last year, even though rents and other costs are increasing far faster than the cash help. The average maintenace loan is just £6,116 less than the average rent.

And to make matters worse the financial help offered by the Students Loans Company has been reduced for students whose parents have a household income of £25,000 or more since 2008.

Many parents with higher salaries will still struggle to help with the living costs of their children as their household finances are strained by higher mortgage rates, energy and food costs. Many parents are also not clear just how much they are expected to contribute to their children's living costs.

It is not surprising that more than half of students have to find a job.

We look at university living costs, the financial help available, getting a job, other ways of raising money and getting a guarantor for rental properties.

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