Debt worries causes rise in applications to degrees with jobs

More students are applying for practical university courses that lead directly to a job due to fears over a rise in graduate debt.

Applications in subjects such as veterinary science, dentistry, engineering and the sciences have increased in the past few months, figures show.

The number of people applying to medicine related degrees have increased quicker than any other subject, with them increasing by almost a fifth in the four months before Christmas.

Johnny Rich, editor of the university guide Push.co.uk, said: "The increase in applications over the last few years has been based on what students want to study. Now it is based on what they think they may earn money from."

The data shows record numbers of students are applying for university this year to beat a rise in tuition fees next year.

Data published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) shows that 344,064 candidates completed early applications last month.

It represents a rise of 2.5% compared with the same period last year and could leave as many as a quarter of a million students without courses.