An overwhelming majority of third level students fear having to drop out of college because of the cost of education in Ireland, according to a new survey.

Eighty seven per cent of students surveyed by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said the cost of education, including fees, accommodation, transport food and other bills was such that they have feared having to drop out.

The survey comes just weeks after it emerged a report prepared by officials for Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe proposes registration fees could be increased to €4,000.

The 870 survey respondents were also asked whether work interfered with their studies and a large majority said they have missed lectures or classes due to work commitments.

When asked ‘have you missed lectures because of work?’ 63 per cent answered ‘yes’, while 67.3 per cent said their work negatively affected their academic success. Over 61 per cent said they had worked to the point of burnout to pay for college.

The USI was critical of the last government’s decision to increase third level registration fees and has repeated its call to make college affordable to everyone.

"It's extremely worrying that so many students are working to the point of burnout, during exams and missing lectures to pay for college," said USI president Kevin Donoghue.

“The cost of education is pushing students to breaking point. It’s unaffordable and the compromises so many students have to make to stay in college, such as working to the point of burnout, ironically restrict their academic success,” he added.

The USI says there is a direct link between the dropout rate and the rate of students who fear having to drop out of college with the cost of education.

They have called on Minister for Education Richard Bruton "to put more financial support in place for students such as increasing the maintenance grant, reducing the registration fee and working with Minister for Housing Simon Coveney to address the student accommodation crisis."