AS sixth-form students get to grips with mock A-levels and dream of university life many parents will already be asking: Will it all be worth it?

New figures from the Higher Education Careers Unit suggest it is.

Salaries paid to graduates in the North West increased by 5.9 per cent last year, almost twice the three per cent average.

But the North West still lagged behind in the pay stakes, with average graduate salaries at £17,782 compared to £18,021 nationally.

Despite a fall in the number of vacancies, graduate pay remained buoyant. Management consultancy, IT and human resources positions commanded the highest salaries at £20,033, £19,121 and £18,413 respectively.

The unit said that graduates in the North West had enjoyed unprecedented career opportunities and salary levels in recent years, but the immediate future looked less rosy as far as job vacancies were concerned.

But chief executive Mike Hill said: "As things stand at the moment, however, it appears that a degree in any subject will still open doors."