The recession is making it more difficult for people to fund their children’s education, a study has found.

Conducted by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), the research showed nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of parents are facing this struggle, while 42 per cent of students expect it will take more than ten years to repay their debts.

Annabel Brodie-Smith, communications director at the AIC, said: "It’s particularly concerning in this economic climate that many students and parents fail to understand the true levels of debt they will face on graduation."

She added that, for many people, going to university is one of the best experiences they will ever have, but once they graduate they find themselves repaying high levels of debt they have accrued.

Grandparents are even being drafted in to help with funding university education, the survey found, as 12 per cent have stepped in to help with university costs.

Research from Saga recently found that 1.8 million grandparents are putting money aside for their grandchildren’s futures, with 20 per cent of them saving £400 or more every year.