Paying the same amount for different contact hours: is it fair?

As a person who has mostly STEM student friends, I get the same response whenever I talk about my timetable: that’s it? This constant questioning from friends (and family) makes you wonder if the nine-and-a-half grand we’re taking a loan out for is truly worth it.

As a journalism student, I am currently scheduled for eight in-school, contact hours which are fairly evenly split between lectures and more practical skills. My STEM friends have between twelve to even eighteen in one week- yet we are paying the same amount. On paper this seems unfair, they get more opportunities for immediate help or even to just process and learn content. However, to me, it’s argued that the money we put in also goes into the opportunities and more practical experience we are given.

Just within the university (in my course) we are given the whole Adobe suite (which is £57 per month) and the equipment like the camera and top-end microphones (with just the Rhode one being £50). Although this still may seem unfair, you have to consider the jobs that come with these assets, you have equipment technicians and IT specialists who ensure that everything is running smoothly so the students can focus on work and furthering their portfolios without hassle.

Despite this, it could be argued that STEM students are given equal opportunity just within workshops and labs, they are given modern technology to help with completing lab reports and further assistance from professors to assist them. To counter this I would argue that arts and humanities-based subjects require much more freedom. To apply philosophical ideas, observe the modern age contrasting it to history, to write about what matters to you: these all require some level of freedom and experience in the real world that you can only really get through not being in lectures.

So although it seems unfair when comparing timetables, think about what you have gained from being able to spend your time exploring what matters to you. Being able to freely explore your “niche” or find out what interests you in pursuing your future career. It may seem annoying on paper but in reality, think of it more as more opportunities for you to explore.