Students are ditching traditional jobs in pubs and restaurants in favour of work that will give them a head start in the labour market, according to a study by Royal Bank of Scotland.

The study found that 40% of working students are now in career-orientated jobs, such as marketing, advertising and insurance, to improve their prospects as they fear degrees are longer good enough to secure a job.

It found that the number of undergraduates working in offices in term time has risen by 37% in the past three years.

Mark Worthington says: “Students now recognise that a degree combine with work experience improves their CVs and job prospects.

“Taking term-time jobs relevant to future careers provides excellent experiences as wells as extra money.”