More than seven out of ten students will be temping this Christmas, according to a survey by the REC.

Of the students questioned, 71% said they would be working through their holiday to pay for Christmas presents and saving for next term.

But money was not their only concern - 82% of respondents felt temping would help them gain valuable work experience.

Many students specify the areas in which they would like to work, then add placements to their CVs.

Almost nine out of ten of the undergraduates said they would be using an agency to find work.

Female students expected to earn more than male students, with 33% expecting to earn over £10 an hour, compared with only 15% of the male students.

REC director of external relations Marcia Roberts said: ‘This shows the value of temping to the student market and demonstrates how temporary work is an excellent way of gaining experience and adding to a person’s skills base.

‘The unions have been quite critical of students working recently, students do have a choice and do temporary work for a variety of worthwhile reasons.’

The figures came from a survey of 155 students at a graduate recruitment fair in London.