WORLD famous artists Gilbert and George said that without studying in Oxford they would not be where they are today.

The pair were in the city on Wednesday to pick up honorary doctorates at Oxford Brookes University.

The Turner Prize-winning artists have provoked controversy during their career, often using bodily fluids and depicting sexual acts in their work.

In 1996, a retrospective of their work was the largest of a ‘single artist’ – how they want to be seen – at the Tate Modern.

But before fame and notoriety, in 1964, George studied art at what is now Oxford Brookes University, receiving a grant from Oxford City Council to do so. He said his time in Oxford had been key to his career.

Gilbert added: “Without Oxford he would not be here today.”

But George said the university had changed a lot since then, when he studied at what was the Oxford College of Art.

He added: “It is very special and very exciting, thrilling, to receive the doctorate.”

When asked what his teachers would think of him now, he said: “We always say, the greatest fear of art teachers is one of their pupils going on to become rich and famous.”

Head of arts Alison Honour, who nominated the pair, said: “To have artists of such international status here is quite incredible. Gilbert and George are the most outstanding modern artists of our time. They transformed the art world.

“They were the first artists to make themselves art. They became living art.

“Their work is controversial but it is showing life as life really is – it is not a bed of roses, it is full of difficulties and angst.”

Also receiving honorary doctorates were Lady Catherine Ashton, the first vice-president of the European Commission, Sarah Veale, head of equality and employment rights development at the TUC, and Prof Dame Valerie Beral, director of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit for the University of Oxford.