Around a third of students would consider living at home or skipping meals to cut costs while they are at university, a poll has found.
The survey, carried out by YouGov for the Money Advice Service, said on average, students in Scotland expect to graduate with a debt of £12,500.
It is more than half the UK average of £23,700, despite the fact Scottish students do not have to pay tuition fees at institutions north of the border.
The research showed that 31% of students polled would consider living at home to avoid accumulating too much debt, while 28% said they would consider skipping meals and 35% would switch off the central heating.
Over a quarter (26%) would avoid buying course textbooks and 18% said they would consider trying to sell off valuable items to raise money if they had too.
For Scottish students, the most common debt taken on during their university years is a student loan, with 69% of students and graduates having taken out at least one loan.
More than a quarter (28%) are borrowing money from family members, according to the survey, while 31% have an overdraft and 15% use credit cards.
The research said that almost half (47%) of students are worried about the levels of debt they will leave university with, and 32% of graduate respondents said they wish they had managed their money more carefully while studying.
However, the Money Advice Service said it is possible to control debt with careful money management and planning.
The service, which aims to help students make the most of their money, said it has a range of tools to aid budgeting, including a Cutback Calculator and Money Stretcher, both of which can be found online at moneyadviceservice.org.uk.
