More info that may be of use. Getting an artist job in a small company is WAY more useful than a runner post in pretty much any company.

If you can get in contact with small companies and do work experience while you train, it will put you in a better position when you are ready for a job.

Timing is everything. For example, very few companies are hiring in London at the moment. Usually there is a lot of demand from January to March as studios crew up to finish projects for the summer release schedule.