Most young people do not know enough about apprenticeships as an alternative to higher education, a new study reveals.

In a survey of 16 to 24-year-olds by consumer group Which?, only 3% put apprenticeships as their first choice when leaving school or college.

Of the 1,000 polled, two thirds said they did not know enough about the alternative to higher education while nine out of 10 preferred going to university.

Meanwhile almost half said they did not believe they could find an apprenticeship in the industry they wanted to work in.

Alex Hayman, managing director of Which? University, said: 'It's vital that young people have as much information as possible when making such crucial decisions about their future.

'Apprenticeships can be a stepping stone to a qualification up to degree level that doesn't saddle students with tuition fees and other debts and learn in the workplace too, but it's clear that not enough young people are aware that the option is there for them.'