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The dreams of one art student came true this week when a top collector visited his graduation show - and promptly bought the whole lot.

James Howard, a student at the Royal Academy Schools, was shocked when he realised that contemporary art collector Charles Saatchi wanted to purchase all 46 pieces of his exhibition work.

Mr Howard told the Times that it was the "last thing I was expecting… I was completely shocked. It's a great encouragement for a young artist starting out".

Mr Howard had created a series of collages made up of photographic images and each was designed to look like an internet advert.

Mr Saatchi paid £4,500 for the collection - which it is thought will now rise considerably in value.

Mr Howard has every reason to feel proud of his achievement - he is in good company.

Charles Saatchi is credited with launching the careers of several top British contemporary artists, including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.

It seems that arts students could do with all the encouragement they can get.

Recent research has indicated that they expect to earn far less than graduates with technical and science-based degrees when they leave university.

The evidence also suggests that arts students are less likely to have career plans when they graduate - leading to many falling into jobs they do not really want to do.