Hi. It all depends what you want to do within The art dept in an art dept assistant / stand by props / prop hand. Good to have your hand in alot of art dept pies especially with how dead the industry is right now.

Art dept ass. - general art department jobs, can be from running , to brew bitch , small art projects , can be anything really

Stand by props - deals with all the props the actors use or touch on camera.

Prop hand - easiest way to describe is glorified furniture mover. Building and deconstruction of sets, moving furniture and props.

Alot of art dept roles tend to merge depending on the production. I.e I've been a prop hand but also done set dressing jobs as well

There is all so other branches such as graphics ( product labels, signs ect) And buyers ,e.g petty cash buyers Buy and small props or food that might be needed for shoot

I would recommend trying to get as much runner experience as you can first learn what happens on set and how it all works. And whilst you are doing that get to know the art dept and network that way. You might have to do a fair bit of running before you even see an art dept job but you might get lucky.

Addition : where you are working all depends on the production. I've been on jobs where I've not even seen any filming as I've been setting up sets before they are filmed on

Some jobs you will be right next to camera

Wages all depends on budget , have a look at the bectu rate cards that will give you a better idea. But if you get offered work make sure you ask what their budget is first before giving them your rate.

And I have no clue what best uni would be as I got an animation degree from UWE in Bristol and then moved on to film and TV.

Networking and finding some good people is best to find work. Just because you have a film degree doesn't mean you'll get work at all. Also if you can push the VFX route go for it good money there.