Students at Oxford University are facing the prospect of larger debts, after it was decided to cut subsidies towards their living costs.

Trinity College has decided to reduce its subsidies for board and lodging -- and other colleges are expected to follow.

The change will raise the costs for Trinity students by more than £4,000 over three years on top of an expected rise in tuition fees from 2006.

Accommodation fees including meals will rise from £2,420 to £3,792.

Trinity president Michael Beloff blamed the increase on funding cuts and world events, including the slump in the stock market, which had cost the college £360,000 a year.

"A perception that Oxbridge students benefit so significantly from subsidised accommodation and food may no longer be acceptable to the wider community," he said.

"Since 1998, Trinity, like other Oxbridge colleges, has not received sufficient Government funding for academic costs to cover inflation.

"For the sake of the future of the college, we must now devote our resources to subsidising the costs of our teaching and related academic services."

The rise comes after Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) produced a report calling for a fairer distribution of resources between colleges.

OUSU President, Will Straw, said "People like Michael Beloff claim the colleges have to stop subsidising their students, but it is unclear if this is really taking place.

"In our experience the reverse actually takes place, with students subsidising the expensive costs of maintaining the chapels and halls.

"Oxford colleges were often founded precisely to provide subsidised accommodation and food for poorer students. Students shouldn't be paying for slumps in the stock market."

Hall fees excluding meals at Oxford Brookes University range from £2,500 to £3,400 for 42 weeks, an average of £60 to £81 a week.

Andrew Copson, Vice President (welfare & equal opportunity), said: "This increase will mean Trinity will become the most expensive college in Oxford, based on the figures in our recent report.

"If domestic costs rise to £3,792 then students on a maximum loan will only have £2 per week to spend on essentials such as books and food."