"Increasingly I think it’s vital that you have a degree because the art world is so competitive, but also because it gives you a rare and privileged chance to spend all of your time learning, discussing and making art." - Billie Rae Vinson, 22, Year 3 BA Fine Art Sculpture Cardiff School of Art and Design

"Of course, I know people who are living proof of that, but it certainly helps these days. It also helps your understanding of art and the way you view and question it. However you could also gain these skills by visiting galleries and events etc." - Emma Helena Harnett, 20, BA Fine Art Middlesex University

"I think it is possible. I suppose it’s a bigger, more interesting question: how do we measure art and design in this country? There’s now an industry training people to be artists and designers. But creativity is not necessarily something that just these people do. Lots of people make things or create images but it’s not part of that lineage of art education." - Ian Thompson, Programme Manager, Young Design Programme

"Yes – it’s all about the work you do /show – a degree gives you the time and help to develop it and teaches you working methods, critical reflection, context etc. but people can be successful without. You won’t get anywhere without hard work and effort." - Olwen Moseley, Principal Lecturer Graphic Communication Cardiff School of Art & Design, UWIC

"At university I had access to materials, facilities and advice from technicians. We were also given a professional development module where we had to research our next steps, putting together a mock portfolio and proposals.

Some people can get this kind of development outside a University context, and I understand the academic route is not for everyone. I know plenty of people who self taught practicing artists/illustrators etc but they knew their niche market, knew how to present themselves as a business and usually had mentorship from already established artists." - Rachel Parry, 24, BA Fine Art, Northumbria University