Students are no longer dabbling in drugs at university because they are now “more hardworking” and “less hedonistic”, a study has found.

Almost three quarters of undergraduates (71 per cent) have not taken illegal drugs during their time at university, according to a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) and the University of Buckingham.

Researchers analysed survey responses of over 1,000 students who were asked about their drug habits and attitudes towards substance abuse.

Over four fifths (88 per cent) said that drug usage causes problems “for the mental health of the user”, with 68 per cent saying it causes problems for society by “contributing to criminality”.

“This survey provides an important corrective to some of the wilder ideas about today’s students,” said Nick Hillman, director of Hepi.

“They are more hardworking and less hedonistic than is often supposed. A majority think there are dangers in taking illegal substances.”

Male students are more likely to take drugs with three quarters (74 per cent) of female students saying they have not taken illegal drugs compared to only around two thirds (68 per cent) of their male peers.