[throwanem]

And admission to an Oxford college, of course.

[defrost]

For that group of Inklings, sure.

University was free for, say, the likes of Greg Egan and others to study physics and math, with a nominal student union fee to be able to join / form clubs and apply for a base beer, wine, and cheese fund to lubricate weekly discussion.

[voidhorse]

There are plenty of writing groups in existence today that do precisely this, no degree required.