As A-level students learn today whether they have made the grade or face university clearing, an independent website for university applicants publishes the latest information on the really important aspects of student life.

Push.co.uk visited every institution and university town in the UK — including Queen’s University in Belfast and the University of Ulster. Students studying in Northern Ireland should expect to graduate with an average debt of £9,340. Some 4% are predicted to remain unemployed six months after graduation (compared to a UK average of over 7%).

Among Push’s other findings, student housing is now an average of £60.80 in Northern Ireland — 15% below the UK average of £71.71.

In terms of cheap beer, Push recommends heading to Falmouth, Teesside and Bangor Uni where beer costs less than £1.50. Meanwhile, 11 other universities all have a pint for under £1.75.

At the other end of the scale, unsurprisingly, London is the most expensive place to drink, but two of Edinburgh’s universities — Heriot-Watt (£2.73) and Napier (£2.95) — are also among the most expensive.

Nationally, the average price students pay for a pint has increased to £2.13 — from last year’s average of £2.06 — although it is a whopping 53p a pint cheaper if they stick to student bars.

The average for Northern Ireland’s two universities is £2.64 — above the UK average.

On its website Push.co.uk there are profiles of every UK university. It also features the ‘Uni Chooser’, a unique facility which means that, as well as factors like the course they want, the grades they have got and the location, applicants can now choose a university based on more than 200 factors. Users can create their own shortlist of universities and read frank, uncompromising and detailed profiles.

Johnny Rich, Editor of Push, said: “Picking a university isn’t just about the course. It’s about getting the most out of the whole student experience.

“Push.co.uk makes it possible to find the right place, find it effectively and find it fast. Anyone going through clearing is really going to need that and it’s even more helpful to those who’ve got the time to choose carefully.”