A-level students expect to pay more than £33,000 to get themselves through university, a survey has revealed.

Plus, the introduction of new tuition fees mean universities will be charging full-time students £3,000 a year from now on.

A survey carried out by Natwest shows that students believe a three-year degree course will cost them £33,512. And 87 per cent of students questioned said they would be relying on the income from a part-time job to get them through university.

As A-level candidates wait to get their grades tomorrow Bradford University is urging students to find out exactly what financial support is available to them.

Sarah Verbickas, the university's student bursaries officer said: "The most important piece of advice for any student is to make sure that they have filled in your PN1 application form giving support for new students.

"This form is your gateway to loans, grants and bursaries, so even if you think that you don't want a loan or that your family's income is too high for a grant - fill in this form regardless. You may be missing out on crucial non-repayable financial support if you don't."

"The majority of universities in England will be charging £3,000 a year for full-time undergraduate courses from September but you don't have to pay these fees up front if you don't want to.

"Students will have access to a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your fees, or if you decide you want to take out a smaller loan pay some of the fees yourself, this is also possible. Just indicate whether you want a full or part loan on your PN1 form."

Students whose family incomes is less than £17,500 can receive a maximum maintenance grant of £2,700. The grant is reduced on a sliding scale for students whose families earn more than £17,500.

But students from families whose incomes exceeds £37,425 are not eligible for a maintenance grant.

All universities will have to provide students from low-income families who are receiving a full-maintenance grant of £2,700 with a bursary to help them with their studies.

Mrs Verbickas said: "The majority of universities are offering bursaries above the minimum £300 a year and extending bursaries to be available to students who receive partial-maintenance grants.

"For example Bradford University is offering a bursary to students who can receive any level of maintenance grants, even the lowest grant of £50, meaning that 70 per cent of students should be eligible for support."

Students are expected to begin repaying their maintenance and graduate loans the April after they graduate if they are earning more than £15,000 a year. Loans which are unpaid after 25 years are written off.

  • A-level students applying to Bradford University can visit www.bradford.ac.uk/tuitionfees for more information on the loans and grants available.