Debt is also proportional to the amount of work said children are willing to do whilst they're at uni also (albeit dependant on course type and location!) Daughter of a friend of mine did a fantastic job at Bristol, four year course for an MEng in Mechanical engineering, got a first and graduated with about 2k debts, self supported with no abation of tuition fees or support from parents. She simply worked her nuts off for 4 years. Evening jobs, weekend jobs, summer jobs, TA, and lived a sensible lifestyle (not to mention she supported her slightly older bloke while he was jobless for the last 6 months of her course) Amazing job she did, and am proud of her! So don't worry too much (unless mini hats are planning on going to london, then find a way to re-mortgage Hats Castle!)