Students starting courses in autumn can expect to graduate owing £1,500 more than those in their first year now

Students starting university this autumn can expect to graduate with debts of almost £25,000, a poll reveals today.

The Push Student Debt survey found those beginning degrees this October would on average be saddled with £24,700 of debt by the time they finished their courses – £1,500 more than students now in their first year of university.

More than 2,000 university students were asked how much they owed banks, their parents and the amount they had borrowed in student loans. The survey made a projection of how much this would increase in future.

Students at nine universities said they expected to graduate with more than £30,000 of debt. They included those at the University of Cumbria who expected more than £35,000 of debt and those at Glyndwr University in Wrexham, who predicted they would face £30,452 of debt.

Students at universities in London said they expected to owe more than those elsewhere in the country. Those at the Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, believed they would have to repay more than £38,000 of debt after graduation.

However, students at some top universities do not expect higher than average debt levels. Those at Cambridge and Oxford anticipate graduating with £15,049 and £16,531 of debt respectively.

Students in Scotland consider themselves the least likely to be saddled with hefty debts, the poll shows. Those studying at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh and Aberdeen University expect to graduate with £1,738 and £3,434 of debt respectively.

Lord Browne, the former chief executive of BP, is leading an independent review into whether tuition fees – £3,290 for students starting this autumn – should rise. He is expected to report his findings to ministers in the autumn.

Johnny Rich, publisher of the Push Student Debt survey, said: "Many talented potential students may shy away when they hear a degree will cost £25,000. As the government and Lord Browne consider what to do about the future of student finance, these figures should give them a lot to chew on."

Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, said vice-chancellors wanted to double tuition fees. "Universities should look at improving the student experience and providing better financial advice and support, rather than spending their time lobbying to add over £10,000 to the average student's debt," he said.

David Willetts, the universities minister, said graduates had better job prospects than non-graduates and could expect to earn at least £100,000 more across their working lives. "We are committed to increasing social mobility and widening participation in higher education," he said. "Any changes to student finance will take into account the impact on student debt and the need to improve the quality of the university experience."