The global economic crisis is bringing a new level of job market anxiety to university students.

New research reveals that many would-be graduates have hit a “wall of fear” about their future, convincing themselves that the level of competition will leave them with little prospect of anything but the most menial work.

Deloitte UK graduate recruitment partner Sarah Shillingford says these are worrying times but urges for students to remain calm.

“Too much anxiety about jobs prospects and debt can be damaging to students’ future prospects.

“We must help graduates avoid the ‘career paralysis’ trap,“ Shillingford says.