Some students will be paid to study

According to an article in the Independent, hundreds of students will be paid £20,000 a year to study for a degree.

Under the scheme, which has been agreed between Durham University and management consultants and accountants KPMG, students will sign a six-year contract and will also have their tuition fees and accommodation costs paid for - meaning the level of debt they graduate with should be far lower than the average.

A spokesperson for debt management company Gregory Pennington commented: "This is just one of various ways students could get help funding their studies.

"Going to university can be a daunting experience - particularly at a time like now when the average debt students are expected to graduate with already exceeds £23,000.

"But many students will find that they are eligible for some form of additional support (bursaries, for example, or scholarships), which can help to significantly reduce the cost of further education and lower the level of debt they graduate with."