Once viewing commences you realize the size of the space you are paying for and then there's travel-forget living in the centre! But London doesn't need to be hell. The problem is focus. "I'd advise them to be 100% committed to being an artist", says Natasha Smith, Public Programmes administrator at the Hayward gallery. This is not just a problem for ex-students, many already established artists finding it hard to survive as artists in areas all across the country and are moving to London for a new life however this creates another problem ."The large number of artists/art-students in London is fantastic in one way but also results in considerable competition when you're trying to get your work shown or even finding a studio space". With some of the best art schools in London itself and with art schools such as Goldsmiths and Chelsea using well known practising artists as part time tutors, those graduating in London, graduate with connections and with the guarantee that Mr Saatchi will be attending your end of year show. For anyone trying to enter the circle from outside there are no such advantages. The high costs means many end up getting full time jobs to pay the rent leaving them little time to concentrate on there art "I graduated with a first but somehow the need for earning money took precedence over my artistic ambitions. I am rectifying this but I truly regret that it has taken me so long" Natasha Smith studied in London at the Slade and left college in 1997. Due to heavy debts and a bank manager not impressed with the artistic approach to finances she quickly found a full time job and started evening classes to learn skills that would help get a better job "This I then did, but that job (not in the arts either) was also full-time with a very heavy workload so I ended up doing lots of (unpaid) overtime. I finally gave up full-time work in December 2001." Now working part-time at the Hayward, Natasha Smith finally has the time to persue her goal of being an artist. "Getting a part-time job at the Hayward in 2002 was definitely a positive step as at least I was meeting curators, artists etc again." However the full time jobs meant that she could afford to part buy a housing association flat which means she can work part time as the rent is cheap. "All in all, I know that if I want to be successful as an artist I need to be extremely committed and keep working hard despite financial or other difficulties, but this isn't always easy of course!".

For those who have not yet an MA, The Royal Academy is one way to get around the problem. Doing an MA at The Royal Academy is for the select few only but if you can get in then accommodation and art materials allowance are paid for and the name is priceless. For outsiders London will always be difficult to break into but if you want it enough then you can make it happen. Making sure your job is within the creative industries gives you instant connections and makes work more interesting. Setting up your own shows is a must wherever you are in order to get noticed by the larger galleries but remember that shows must be up for over 2weeks and preferably the longer the better to get a good chance of not getting rejected by the reviewers of Time Out. For the exhibition space try looking at the adverts on the whitechapel notice board. Accept that you're going to have to market yourself even if that seems a bit unappealing!