Student Katie Wilkinson is the star of a new film aimed at dispelling some of the myths surrounding the cost of going to university and fears of long-term debt.

Katie, 20, from Strood, is about to start the second year of a BA Hons degree in public relations at the University of Greenwich.

She said: “A lot of people think they’ll be paying back something like £30 a week once they start earning.

"In fact you don’t start paying anything back until you’re earning more than £15,000, and on an £18,000 salary you’ll be paying back only £4 a week.

“When you consider that graduates can expect to earn, over their working lives, about £150,000 more than people who haven’t been to university, I reckon it’s worth it.”

In the video the students encourage others to be completely open minded to the university experience and to look for themselves at the repayment rates on student loans for graduates once they start working.

The students’ video can be viewed at video.msn.com, follow the link to the University of Greenwich. The film has been made to complement a new free booklet, Student Finance and Money Management, which can be ordered from 0800 005 006. It includes comprehensive advice on all aspects of grants, loans, fees and bursaries, plus lots of tips on how to save money as a student.

For further information about courses and student life at the University of Greenwich, which has campuses at Medway, Avery Hill and Greenwich, telephone 0800 005 006 or e-mail: courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk.