CASH-STRAPPED students are being urged to weigh up the cost of digs when choosing a university as they vary dramatically around the country.

Most people embarking on their first year at university now expect to graduate with an overdraft as well as a wealth of experiences.

But Halifax Estate Agents warn that choices about which university to attend and where to live can leave some students facing a larger hole in their finances than others.

The National Union of Students (NUS) have highlighted how accommodation expenses have risen by more than double the increase in student loan support available.

But these costs vary significantly. London is the most expensive place with students paying on average £79 in rent per week - £10 more than the national average.

Accommodation in Lilian Penson Hall for University College London can cost up to £217.70 per week.

The University of Teesside has the lowest rent in the country, with rooms starting from £32.90 per week.

Students heading for York can expect to pay between £55 and £59 a week for self-catering accommodation at York St John College, while en-suite will set them back by between £57 and £68.

Finlay Coupar, director of student affairs at York St John College, said: "York St John College considers its accommodation rates to be very reasonable in relation to the student housing market and in comparison with other higher education institutions.

"We also feel we are supplying good quality accommodation.

"The college has a dedicated accommodation team who work to ensure that our students receive the best accommodation possible."

At the University of York, all single, full-time undergraduates can secure a place in residence for their first year of study and a significant number are able to live in some form of university accommodation for two years.

Students from outside the European Union and those with a medical condition are provided with accommodation throughout their studies.

Charges for single undergraduates in 2005/06 range from £58.45 to £74.06 per week including heating, lighting and room cleaning.

A spokesman said: "Overall, opportunities for students to live in university accommodation are better at York than at most other universities. A range of fully-furnished and centrally-heated accommodation is available on or near the Heslington campus."

The NUS predicts the average expenditure for students during the 2004/2005 academic year is more than £8,500 including food, travel, leisure, utility bills, rent, household goods, clothes, books, fees and insurance.

Colin Kemp, managing director at Halifax Estate Agents, said: "Today, students need to consider many more factors than which course is best for them.

"They also need to take into account the financial implications of choosing different universities and locations. The decisions can have far-reaching consequences for their financial future and can affect their parents too."

Updated: 11:00 Monday, August 22, 2005