A panel of experts debated the question of whether it is still worth studying for an arts degree on Times Online today.

Entry into the media industries, subject-specific tuition fees, the merits of arts degrees verses science degrees and more made for a lively debate.

The panel of experts including economist and business commentator Ruth Lea, the Good University Guide’s John O’Leary, Times arts columnist Richard Morrison and Mike Barnard from Milkround.com answered questions for more than an hour.

A snapshot from the debate:

Ruth Lea: "I believe differential fees are a promising way forward - both by institution and by subject. The fees would then more closely correlate with the economic "value" of the degree."

John OLeary: "More scientists than arts graduates end up in jobs linked to their subject. But there aren't many historians, or even politicians. Most graduate jobs are open to applicants from any subject."

Richard Morrison: "It's always been easy for clever students to "wing it" at university by swotting up in the last week of term. But you know the saying "garbage in, garbage out"? If you put nothing into your degree course, you'll get nothing of value out of it. And worse, you will have set yourself a pattern for the rest of your life. Employers very quickly spot people who are drifters rather than grafters."

Mike Barnard, Milkround: "It's far more important to do a course you will enjoy and engage with than one that offers "practical skills". Just be sure you're aware of what career prospects it opens up for you, and how best to go about realising them."

Want to read more?
Replay the debate at Times Online.