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Rising student debt has not discouraged postgraduate enrolment, according to the figures.

Overall the number of home students starting a full-time postgraduate course this academic year is up by 2 per cent, while part-time enrolment is up by 6 per cent. Recruitment is strongest in vocational subjects.

Jeremy Hoad of the National Postgraduate Committee said: "As the undergraduate sector expands, it is more common for students to go on to postgraduate study - especially in vocational subjects - to distinguish themselves from other graduates."

In the sciences, full-time enrolments are up by 4 per cent and part-time by 8 per cent. The biggest growth areas are computer sciences and medical subjects.