"The balance between earning money and making your own work is difficult. I think it is a risk, but if you are passionate about it and dedicated (with some handy contacts) then it is possible." - Nicola Carey, 22, BA Photography, University College Falmouth

"Often we undersell the Creative Industries. I saw a talk by Wayne Hemmingway six months ago where he said the Creative Industries were the second biggest wealth income generator next to the service industries. So there are jobs out there, having said that you don't necessarily walk into a job." - Ian Thompson Programme Manager, Young Design Programme

"It is very common for outsiders to be narrow minded about Art/Design as they think if you study it you only are going to be a painter! Realistically, Art/Design offers many more career paths than a Law degree!" - Emma Allie, 20, Year 2 Contemporary Textiles Practice, Cardiff School of Art and Design

"Understand that the creative world is not a status but a lifestyle. If you want to pursue a future in design the realisations of financial rewards are slim but if you have true passion and dedication, whether it be in art, design or any other creative medium, then you're destined to have a truly enjoyable future." - Dante Valentine, 21, Year 2 BA Graphic Design, Chelsea College of Art and Design

"It depends. If you look at your options realistically you may not be able to pursue the exact career you want to. However I think art and design as a whole offer you thousands of career options to choose from. Art and design is also the largest and fastest growing career sector in the UK today." - Emma Helena Harnett, 20, BA Fine Art, Middlesex University