YOUNGSTERS who have just started out at university are likely to go to the bottom of the class very quickly when it comes to eating habits.

But most of them will score top marks when it comes to socialising.

A new survey has found that 60 per cent of UK students spend more on alcohol in one week than they do on food in a fortnight.

The survey of 1,000 students across the country highlighted that the average student spends £38 a week on drink, compared with just £17 on food.

They may reach grade As when it comes to enjoying themselves, but 78 per cent fail to prepare more than one hot meal a week, opting instead to survive on snack bars, bowls of cereal, sandwiches, chocolate bars and slices of toast.

One student told researchers: "My life doesn't allow much time or money for food. I spend most on socialising -- and looking the part. Most of my money goes on clothes."

Another said: "I generally graze throughout the day. And I'm a sucker for chocolate."

A typical student's weekly diet worked out at 10 bars of choocolate, two loaves of bread, one takeaway meal and one box of cereal.

The same student drank an average of 20 pints of lager, two bottles of wine and between 10 and 14 alcopops, according the survey commissioned by Iceland Foods.