Average student debt has doubled since Labour came to power, according to new figures.

The news is set to cause further discomfort for the government following the bitter rows over university tuition fees.

Education ministers point out that their plans will re-introduce maintenance grants for the poorest students, but critics fear that debt worries could deter those from poorer backgrounds from applying for higher education places.

Figures published in "The Push Guide to Money 2005/06: Student Survival" indicated that graduates completing three, four and five year courses owe an average of £11,830, up from £5,792 when Labour came to power in 1997.

And average debts were building up at £3,523 per year, it was claimed.

One in 10 students is also graduated with debts of £15,000 or more, while three per cent had debts of £20,000 and over.

And when top-up fees are introduced in two years' time debts are set to increase even more, the guide warned.

"If you want to go to university these days, you're going to be meeting a lot of the cost yourself through student loans and usually by having a part-time job," said Push Guide to Money editor Johnny Rich.