Sussex University has angered students by deciding to charge relatives £12 to attend graduation ceremonies.

The National Union of Students said most graduates already left university £12,000 in debt and the new fees would make higher education even less affordable.

Francisco Aguirre, who will receive a post-graduate degree in Contemporary European Studies at a ceremony at the Dome, said: "It is unfair to pay for guests.

"We have paid so much already. We all pay fees. Post-graduates pay almost £3,000 for a one-year course.

"I graduated in 1999 at Sussex and I did not have to pay for guests to attend the ceremony."

Mr Aguirre, who is Nicaraguan but whose parents live in Sweden, said new graduates already had to pay £33 to hire a gown. His parents also faced high travel expenses.

An NUS spokesman said: "It is not as if students are flushed with cash."

A university spokesman said it was normal for universities that had to hire a venue to charge graduation guests.

He said: "The university is making no profit and is still heavily subsidising graduation in terms of overhead staff costs."