One in three students graduating this year or next has a business idea and plans to become an entrepreneur in the near future, according to a survey.

One in three students graduating this year or next has a business idea and plans to become an entrepreneur in the near future, according to a survey.

Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of the 1,000 students surveyed by insurer Hiscox are already running money-making enterprises, or are in the process of setting them up now.

John Heaney, small and medium-sized business specialist at Hiscox, comments, ‘It’s extremely encouraging that despite the knock-on effects of the recession on the job market, the best of British entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking amongst the next generation.’

Over a quarter of the would-be entrepreneurs among the survey’s respondents plan to be running their own business by the age of 25, while a third are aiming to be their own boss before they reach 30.

Among the British entrepreneurs who started out in business before the age of 25 are Richard Branson, James Dyson and Alan Sugar.