Teenagers will have to take an exam to test their aptitude for university, in an attempt to identify the brightest students.

The generic admissions test will be piloted in September using 1,500 students across the country.

Vice-chancellors say the present admissions system, which relies on predicted grades, is no longer adequate.

Meanwhile, the Guardian highlights new research which shows university students who graduate this year will have accumulated an average debt of £13,501 - a 12 per cent increase on last year.

If this trend continues, those starting a three-year degree course this autumn are likely to leave college with debts of nearly £20,000, without taking into account top-up fees to be introduced next year.