Many of us believe that there is only one educational path that is best suited to us, but there are several that may be viable options. The key is to identify the degree to which you have a high chance of success and happiness.
In this guide, you will learn about the hardest degree in the world so that we can make an informed decision about your educational pursuit.
Making a choice for a university degree wisely is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever have to make during your academic journey. It is critical that you select the one that best suits your current academic abilities, interests, and future goals.
In this article at World Scholars Hub, we will discuss 15 of the hardest or most difficult degrees in the world. This will give you an idea of how difficult the subjects you’re considering might be to study in higher education, allowing you to make a more informed decision about which course is best for you.
We will take a closer look at them shortly.
Table of Contents
What factors should you consider when deciding on a Degree?
There are several factors to consider when selecting an undergraduate degree or associate degree to study in college:
- Passions and interests
- Talents and abilities
- Career interest.
Passions and interests
This is a critical factor in determining how well you perform in your profession. After you’ve compiled a list of topics that interest you, you should consider pursuing a career in that field. Some days, it takes more than ‘obligation’ to get you to work. On those days, you realize that ‘passion’ is what drives you to finish your tasks.
It can help you get through difficult times if it is something you enjoy doing. For example, if you have a strong sensitivity to blood and open wounds, you should avoid taking medicine.
Talents and abilities
When selecting an undergraduate degree, your aptitude and abilities, as well as the direction of your enthusiasm, are critical factors to consider.
You won’t be able to accomplish anything if your skills aren’t aligned with your objectives. As a result, the task you’re working on will be extremely difficult.
For instance, if science and technology are not your strong suits, pursuing a STEM degree is not a good idea. I must, however, point out that you have the ability to learn at any time. It would simply require more time, dedication, and consistency.
Career interest
After you’ve considered the relationship between your passion and your ability, you should consider your job interest. Tuition for college is simply too high to pursue a degree that will neither benefit nor represent your future employment. If you want to work in technology, for example, you should look into degree programs like soft engineering.
Common mistakes to avoid when selecting a degree
Before we get into the hardest degree in the World, let’s take a look at some common blunders to avoid on your way to making a choice on the college degree that is good for you.
- Avoid choosing a degree because of job Security
- Choosing without prior experience
- Allowing Someone Else to Make the Choice for You
Avoid Choosing a degree because of job Security
When you choose a degree based on job security, you are doing so for two reasons:
- After you graduate, you are very likely to find a job because you of the assumption that such a major is the easiest degree to get a job with
- You will most likely be well compensated for this position.
There’s nothing wrong with choosing a major for the sake of security, but there’s something wrong with choosing a major solely for the sake of security. Why? Because no major guarantees a career, and no major guarantees a high salary. Some industries have more job openings than others, and some pay higher wages. Yes. Your primary option, on the other hand, does not pay you anything.
With this in mind, you should pursue a degree in an area that interests you. If you are truly passionate about your major, you will most likely work hard and succeed.
Choosing without prior experience
In contrast, you should not choose a major solely because you believe it is your passion. Before you decide to pursue it in college, you should make sure you have some experience with it. If you want to be a doctor, see if you can job model someone in the medical field. Spend some time around animals if you want to be a zoologist.
Aside from that, you should think about things like job security and return on investment. You should know what your career field entails and set your expectations accordingly.
Allowing Someone Else to Make the Choice for You
When you’re not sure what you want to major in, it’s easy to let someone else make the decision for you. Allowing someone else to make your decisions, whether it’s your parents, a teacher, or a friend, is a great way to waste your time and money.
Everyone will have an opinion on what you should do, and while seeking advice is fine, you should be the one to make the final decision. You are the one who will have to live with whatever decision is made.
List of the hardest degree in the World
Below is a list of the hardest degree in the globe for students:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Law
- Chartered Accountancy
- Architecture
- Chemistry
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
- Statistics
- Nursing
- Physics
- Astrophysics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Astronomy
- Dentistry.
15 Hardest Degree in the World
#1. Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering is the main engineering discipline concerned with the design of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major branches, which overlap: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
Engineers in this field of study research various software such as ground control software, flight software, and so on. Because they are taking a significant risk, they use mathematical and quantitative methods to assess the aircraft’s reliability.
A career in Aeronautical Engineering necessitates a higher level of intelligence, a technical understanding of engines, and the ability to perform quick calculations.
Aeronautical engineers are risk-takers who must be skilled at observation and calculation. To pursue a career in aeronautical engineering, one must excel in math and physics.
#2. Law
Law is definitively one of the hardest degrees in the World to obtain a first-class degree in many colleges, so we all know it’s a difficult course.
If you think you understand what it’s like to have a lot of reading, talk to a law student in one of the global law schools.
Except you won’t be able to find any because they’ll be reading in the Law Library. If you want to study law, prepare to spend a lot of time with your nose in law books.
While you’ll quickly learn how to extract important details from large amounts of text, there are no shortcuts in law. You’ll need a thorough understanding of the legislation on various issues so that you can interpret it correctly when the time comes.
#3. Chartered Accountancy
This course is also included on this list because it is one of the most difficult courses in the world. Even though this is a secure career path with high-paying opportunities, there is no denying how difficult it is to complete.
The life of a chartered accountant is demanding, from matching balance sheets to ensuring that the accounts notebook is error-free.
#4. Architecture
In this list of the hardest degree in the world is architecture, pursuing architecture courses is not as simple as it sounds even if you are you choose to study architecture online in a country like Germany where education is top-notch.
Contrary to popular belief, it is concerned with the environment and its composition as well as the interiors and exteriors. Using sustainable, biodegradable materials and processes necessitates the sharpest and most considerate minds.
One of the trends you’ll notice here is that each of the world’s most difficult courses offers a plethora of job opportunities and the potential for significant growth.
With more colleges devoted solely to architecture, this course is instilling a new perspective in the minds of the younger generation and literally assisting them in the construction of our future.
#5. Chemistry
This course may be in the big leagues. While chemistry is present in almost every course, specializing in chemistry is a risky move. It is not a simple course. Chemistry in school is simple; however, when you study it in college, things become much more complicated.
If you enjoy and find your high school chemistry easy and interesting, then studying chemistry in college is recommended; otherwise, no expert would recommend it. Chemistry is more complicated than most people believe, and it is a constantly evolving field of study.
#6. Medicine
Although there are numerous tuition-free medical schools, this does not mean the program is simple.
This medical Science program stands tall on the list of the hardest degree in the world. To begin the course, Indian students must ensure that they take the NEET examination.
While this course is exceptionally long, the majority of the time is spent learning rather than memorizing the most difficult textbooks, definitions, and diagrams. To be sure, there is nothing a medical student can skip because everything they learn is critical.
#7. Pharmacy
While medicine and pharmacy are both in the same industry, they are very different. Consider them to be two sides of the same coin. Because of the structure and hard work required, pharmacy is ranked among the world’s most difficult courses.
Career opportunities for this course, like those for the other courses on this list, are diverse and always available.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy, a Diploma in Pharmacy, or a PhD in Pharmacy must all deal with Chemistry and Biology as a whole, which can be intimidating to some.
#8. Psychology
Psychology, a prominent humanities subject that also intersects with medical science, is also regarded as one of the most difficult courses in the world.
This program, as a scientific investigation and study of the human mind, is an umbrella discipline in which students get to explore human behaviour in a variety of contexts, such as individual, social, psychological, and industrial, among others.
Every person feels a different emotion every day, making it difficult to understand a human’s mind. Psychologists primarily study human beings in a variety of settings, including employees, criminals, students, children, people with disorders, and any other group of people.
A career in psychology necessitates being an excellent observer and communicator, as well as having an investigative streak and attention to detail.
#9. Statistics
What appears to be simple data collection, representation, and interpretation is actually far more complex than it appears, making Statistics a worthy contender in our list of the world’s most difficult courses. Data collection comes in various forms, such as sampling, observational, randomized sampling, and so on.
Depending on the type of data and population, various theories and methods are used to accurately represent the data. Statistical methods include the t-test, ANOVA, chi-square, and others.
Statistics is used in almost every field to represent data, such as social and scientific research subjects. To study statistics, one must be proficient in logic, reasoning, and mathematics. It is also necessary to have a strong memory in order to remember many formulas and understand their applications.
#10. Nursing
Nursing is also one of the most difficult courses in the world, requiring patience, knowledge of medical care, a strong stomach, and willing altruistic nature.
It is well known that a kind gesture can help people recover from a difficult situation which is one of the core reasons why reason nursing schools without tuition are available for students who can feel the pulse of others.
Nurses provide assistance to doctors, therapists, patients, and their families.
GPAs in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Psychology, and other important subjects are required. They must be able to solve and prevent problems in a patient’s environment on the fly.
#11. Physics
Physics is a difficult degree to pursue because it requires a lot of coursework and math. That means a student must devote a significant amount of time and energy to learning it.
To enroll as a student, you must have a minimum of a B+ or a GPA of 3.2 in Mathematics and Physics. Following graduation, one can pursue a career as a physics teacher, academic researcher, meteorologist, geophysicist, or sound engineer.
#12. Astrophysics
Astrophysics, like the majority of these courses, is a difficult subject to master because it requires an understanding of constantly changing data.
However, the difficulties are accompanied by a number of benefits. Astrophysics graduates can work in a variety of fields, including research, teaching, business, industry, and finance.
To succeed in this program, you must be committed to working hard on a consistent basis, as you will be required to master new mathematical concepts and ideas, as well as broaden your understanding of scientific procedures and how to conduct your investigations.
#13. Biomedical Engineering
This is an engineering program that focuses on the applications of engineering methods and techniques in biology and medicine. It is a STEM multidisciplinary field.
To design equipment like an “artificial heart,” they should know both engineering and biological aspects.
To diagnose medical problems, these engineers create various devices and technology such as artificial internal organs, duplicate body parts, systems, or machinery.
#14. Neuroscience
Focusing on the brain, neuroscience is all about its impact on our behaviour and cognitive processes, including how we think, feel and see things. And, as a highly specialized subject, it’s no surprise that neuroscience is regarded as one of the hardest degrees world.
The subject, which combines chemistry, psychology, mathematics, and physics, necessitates a solid foundation of technical knowledge in some of the most difficult A-Level subjects. Many students find just one of these subjects difficult enough, so the requirement for a thorough understanding of all of them emphasizes how difficult this degree can be.
However, because of its abstract nature, Neuroscience, like all cognitive science subjects, has an added layer of difficulty.
#15. Dentistry
Dentistry also stands tall on our list of the hardest degrees in the world. A straightforward degree option for those interested in pursuing a career in oral healthcare, either as a dentist or dental nurse, Medicine is an extremely lengthy and challenging subject to study at university.
Dentistry is a five-year program that requires hard work and highly intelligent candidates, and it can be difficult to get into. Top universities will require students to have high grades in science subjects such as Biology and Chemistry – subjects that are a significant step up in difficulty from GCSE to A-Level.
FAQs about Hardest Degrees in the World
Which bachelor is the toughest bachelor’s degree in the world?
The undergrad programs that are considered to be the toughest in the world are:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Law
- Chartered Accountancy
- Architecture
- Chemistry
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Statistics
- Nursing
- Physics
- Astrophysics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Astronomy
- Dentistry.
Can I succeed as an international student studying for one of the hardest degrees in the world?
Yes, you can. It’s all about determination, focus, and doing what you’re expected to do as a student.
What is the hardest degree at Harvard?
The most difficult courses at Harvard are Mechanics and Special Relativity, Microeconomic Theory, Organic Chemistry, Honors Abstract Algebra, Engineering Thermodynamics, and Social Studies.
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FAQs
Top 15 Hardest Degree in the World [2023 Updated Guide]? ›
What are the hardest degree subjects? The hardest degree subjects are Aerospace Engineering, Law, Chartered Accountancy, Architecture, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Statistics, Nursing, Physics, Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy, and Dentistry.
Which degree is hardest in the world? ›- Chartered Accountancy.
- Astrophysics.
- Quantum Mechanics.
- Law.
- Aerospace/ Aeronautical Studies, Engineering.
- Biomedical Studies, Neurosciences, Biochemistry.
- Nursing.
- Dentistry, Medicine.
What are the hardest degree subjects? The hardest degree subjects are Aerospace Engineering, Law, Chartered Accountancy, Architecture, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Statistics, Nursing, Physics, Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy, and Dentistry.
What is the #1 hardest major? ›#1 Chemistry
According to the average Grade Point Average of students in the program, Chemistry wins the prize title hardest major. A Chemistry major overlaps somewhat with biology, but chemistry extends beyond living things.
- Health Information Technology.
- Information Technology.
- Medical Science and Technology.
- Mechanical Engineering.
- Nursing.
- Sustainability.
- Social Work.
- Sociology.
Medicine, mathematics, physics — you may have heard from friends and family that these are the hardest degrees in the world. But a deeper look into each degree often reveals that they may not be the hardest degrees in the world. Medicine is deemed challenging because it deals with people's lives.
Is Nursing one of the hardest degrees? ›Nurses provide medical care in a range of settings, from schools to clinics to hospitals. Considered one of the hardest majors in college, it is also a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding career.
What is the hardest degree to get in America? ›Nuclear Engineering
Considered one of the hardest bachelor degrees, nuclear engineers earn an average of $120,380 annually (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022), much higher than the average annual pay for all engineers which is only $99,040 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).
Record Value | -89.2°C (-128.6°F) |
---|---|
Formal WMO Review | Yes (2011) |
Length of Record | 1912-present |
Instrumentation | Maximum/Minimum Thermometer in Standard Stevenson Screen |
Geospatial Location | Vostok, Antarctica [77°32'S, 106°40'E, elevation: 3420m (11,220ft)] |
- Biomimicry.
- Cannabis Biology.
- Puppet Arts.
- Viticulture.
- Fermentation Science.
- Bicycle Design.
- Digital Mapping.
- Bakery Science.
What is the most regretted major? ›
The most-regretted college major is journalism, according to the study. Eighty-seven percent of those graduates sampled said they would choose a different major if they could. Below is the list of the top 10 most-regretted majors based on the 1,500 job seekers ZipRecruiter surveyed.
What is the most stressful major? ›- Fine Arts. Average studying time per week: 12-17h. ...
- Nursing. Average studying time per week: 14-17h. ...
- Theoretical & Experimental Physics. Average studying time per week: 15-17h. ...
- Philosophy. ...
- Architecture. ...
- Molecular Biology. ...
- Electrical Engineering. ...
- Chemical Engineering.
- Commerce. Commerce is a central pillar of the global economy, so it's no great shock to learn that a degree in the subject yields a high number of millionaires. ...
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) ...
- Law. ...
- Economics. ...
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Chemical engineering | $75K |
---|---|
Computer science | $73K |
Aerospace engineering | $72K |
Electrical engineering | $70K |
Industrial engineering | $70K |
1. Which job has the highest salary in India? Jobs with the highest salaries in India are medical professionals, data scientists, machine learning experts, blockchain developers, full-stack software developers, investment bankers and product managers.
What are the top 3 degrees? ›The most popular college majors in the United States are business, health, and social sciences, according to data from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES). Of the 2 million bachelor's degrees conferred in the US during the 2019-2020 school year, these three majors made up almost 40 percent.
What is the hardest class in college? ›- Anatomy. Anatomy is the study of the human body and all of its parts and processes. ...
- Calculus. Calculus is also a Hardest college class. ...
- Theory. ...
- English Literature. ...
- Philosophy / Metaphysics. ...
- Quantum Mechanics / Physics. ...
- Organic Chemistry. ...
- Linguistics.
For those who are interested in more behind-the-scenes work, or who want to explore their options in healthcare, health science is a great alternative major to nursing. A health science degree can lead to many different careers, from a healthcare administrator to medical biller and coder.
Which is harder being a nurse or doctor? ›Instead most are more focused on doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. Is being a nurse harder than being a doctor? No, being a nurse and being a doctor are both equally hard. While they both face different challenges it's hard to look at either profession and say that one is “easier” than the other.
What is the longest degree to study? ›Doctoral degrees can take up to 7 years of intense study to complete. After completing doctoral degree coursework, you might sit for comprehensive subject matter exams. A dissertation based on your research interests may also be required and reviewed by a committee of graduate school faculty.
What is the hardest degree in the medical field? ›
MBBS or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery is the toughest medical course that requires you to study for at least 5 years. After the first 5 years, you can choose your specialization and master it in the next 3 years. Further, you can specialize more in the field for 3 years or so.
What is the hottest degree called? ›Certain cosmological models, including the one that has held sway for decades, the Standard Model, posit a theoretical highest temperature. It's called the Planck temperature, after the German physicist Max Planck, and it equals about 100 million million million million million degrees, or 1032 Kelvin.
What is the lowest paying major? ›The lowest-paying college majors are in areas such as theology, social services, the performing arts, education, and leisure and hospitality, the data shows.
What is the most comfortable degree? ›This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
What is the most unpopular degree? ›- Educational Psychology. ...
- Drama and Theater Arts. ...
- Human Services and Community Organization. ...
- Clinical Psychology. ...
- Composition and Speech. ...
- Visual and Performing Arts. ...
- Miscellaneous Fine Arts. ...
- Cosmetology Services.
- Business. According to CNBC, nearly 19% of the 4-year college degrees granted in the US are in business. ...
- Economics & Finance. What do you major in if your college doesn't offer a business degree, but you want to go into business? ...
- Biology. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Computer Science.
- Psychology.
- Criminal Justice.
- English.
- Education.
- Religious Studies.
- Social Work.
- Sociology.
- Communications.
Journalism | 87% 87% 87% |
---|---|
Liberal arts/general studies | 72% 72% 72% |
Communications | 64% 64% 64% |
Education | 61% 61% 61% |
Marketing management + research | 60% 60% 60% |
- Engineering. Engineering professionals use principles of physics and mathematics to design buildings, vehicles, electronics, and other structures. ...
- Business. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Hospitality. ...
- Education. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Architecture. ...
- Pharmaceutical Sciences.
- Computer Science and Computer Information Systems. The value of a Computer Science or Computer Information Systems degree cannot be denied. ...
- Entrepreneurship. ...
- Business Administration and Management. ...
- Communication Disorders.
What majors should I avoid? ›
- Fine arts. Average base pay: $49,702 per year A fine arts major offers students the chance to work with a wide range of art forms. ...
- Mass media. ...
- Physics. ...
- Graphic design. ...
- English language. ...
- Liberal arts. ...
- Family and consumer science. ...
- Sociology.
- Death of a loved one.
- Divorce.
- Moving.
- Major illness or injury.
- Job loss.
- Architecture. The bachelor's in architecture is far from writing-intensive, primarily focusing on: ...
- Chemistry. ...
- Computer Science. ...
- Criminal Justice. ...
- Economics. ...
- Engineering. ...
- Mathematics. ...
- Music.
Musk has a physics degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and he enrolled in a graduate program in physics at Stanford University before dropping out early on.
What degree do most CEOs have? ›Economics, business administration, and engineering are the most popular subjects studied by top CEOs. On average, 34.6% of top CEOs have a master's or doctorate degree and. 22.3% of top CEOs have a Master of Business Administration (MBA), 16.4% of top CEOs studied abroad; and.
What field has the most billionaires? ›In broader terms, the finance and investment profession has the most millionaires. It also has the most billionaires, with 371.
What are top 5 most paying jobs? ›OCCUPATION | 2022 MEDIAN PAY | PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER NATIONAL MEDIAN |
---|---|---|
General Internal Medicine Physicians | $214,460 | 363.10% |
Dentists, All Other Specialists | $212,740 | 359.40% |
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $211,790 | 357.30% |
Family Medicine Physicians | $211,300 | 356.30% |
Rank | Occupation | 2022 Median Wages |
---|---|---|
Employment column one Hourly | ||
1 | Anesthesiologists | $115.00+ |
1 | Cardiologists | $115.00+ |
1 | Dermatologists | $115.00+ |
Largest occupations at the national, state, and area levels
The largest occupations in the U.S. include retail salespersons, cashiers, and general office clerks. To find the largest occupations in any area, click the chart to the right; select a state, then an area within the state or statewide.
Business isn't just one of the easiest college majors — it's also the most popular major. You'll study core topics like accounting, management, and organizational behavior. You can specialize your skills with upper-level courses in logistics, training and development, or entrepreneurship.
What is the hardest major to get a job? ›
- Medicine.
- Architecture.
- Astrophysics.
- Chemical Engineering.
- Pharmacy.
- Chemistry.
- Physics.
- Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical engineering majors topped the list of highest incomes right after college, earning a median annual wage of $75,000 as of February 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. According to 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), chemical engineers earned a median salary of $105,550.
What majors make the least money? ›The lowest-paying college majors are in areas such as theology, social services, the performing arts, education, and leisure and hospitality, the data shows.
What is the least picked major? ›- Library Science. ...
- Educational Psychology. ...
- Drama and Theater Arts. ...
- Human Services and Community Organization. ...
- Clinical Psychology. ...
- Composition and Speech. ...
- Visual and Performing Arts. ...
- Miscellaneous Fine Arts.
Even the choice of major makes a difference when it comes to slumber. Anthropology majors get the most sleep, whereas architecture and computer science students get the least.
What are the least regretted majors? ›The least regretted college majors, which graduates would choose all over again, are reportedly Computer and Information Sciences, Criminology, Engineering, Nursing, Health, Business Administration and Management, Finance, Psychology, Construction Trades, and Human Resources Management.
Which major works the most hours? ›College Major: Architecture
Architecture tops the list of hardest working college majors, with students averaging 22.2 hours of study time each week.