Last Updated on November 8, 2024
Toughest Degree In The World: Choosing a career for yourself is one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. The first step in that direction would be choosing your degree. And that is a time taking task. Don’t worry, we have got your back. Here, we are going to tell you about some of the toughest degrees in the world. Our aim is not to scare you but to make you more aware. This way you will be able to understand better about the degree that you want to pursue. After all, you have to have some idea of the effort that degree would require. This will help you plan well.
What does ‘toughest degree in the world’ mean?
The toughest degree in the world would simply require you to make more effort in earning it. This does not mean that these degrees are not for the common masses. This just means that since the toughest degrees in the world are quite specific in nature and ultimately make you specialists in those fields with high pay, they require you to have a thorough knowledge of what you are pursuing. Hence, their curriculum is designed in such a way that your knowledge will be assessed in the best ways possible.
So, what are the toughest degrees in the world?
There are a number of degrees to choose from in today’s world. Out of all of them, the following are the 10 toughest degrees in the world that you can pursue:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Architecture
- Chartered Accountancy
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
- Law
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Engineering is for you if the aviation industry fascinates you and aircraft have your heart. However, it does require a lot of skill. A degree in aerospace engineering requires you to have a firm grip on mathematics, mechanics, aerodynamics, and thermodynamics among many other complex subjects. No wonder it ranks high in the world’s toughest degrees. You will be required to sharpen your mind in such a manner that you become the master of both software and hardware in the field of aerospace.
Some of the best universities offering this degree are the University of Michigan, Stanford University, and Georgia Institute of Technology. This degree generally requires 4 to 5 years to complete which includes rigorous studying, lab work, and intensive field studies. After that, the sky is your limit!
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering is the thread that connects biology and engineering, both being tough subjects as it is. And in this degree, these two come together. This fact itself is sufficient to make chemical engineering one of the hardest degrees in the world. Multidisciplinary in nature, this degree will require a deep understanding of medicine and engineering principles so that they can be applied to benefit human health. This is the degree that will enable you to come up with devices for the benefit of the human body using research and creativity.
Duke University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are among the best universities to offer this program. And depending on the institution you choose, it will take you about 4 years to earn the degree.
Chemical Engineering
This branch of engineering is also one of the toughest. As the name suggests, Chemical Engineering is the field where you will get to study everything about chemicals supplemented with the principles of engineering. This degree requires a thorough understanding of chemistry along with mathematics. Since so much experimentation is involved, the management of statistics and using them for making practical products is a tedious job. Only those will a lot of willpower can take it up and finish the course at the end. The engagement this course demands is overwhelming.
The average time required to earn this degree is 4 years around the world. If you choose to go for a master’s, then another 1 to 2 years will be needed. Some universities that offer this program are the University of California and Stanford University.
Architecture
Quite contrary to popular of belief, architecture is actually tough. In fact, it is one of those few degrees in the world which require the functioning of both the left and right sides of the brain. It is a conjunction of the proper use of both technology and creativity. Along with the design, architecture requires you to come up with structures which are safe, have utility and are sustainable and cost effective. Hence, you are required to have knowledge of finances and environmental concerns too.
Some of the best universities for studying architecture include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge and the University of California. The study of architecture generally ranges from 3 to 5 years around the world with an additional internship period of around 3 years. So, while pursuing a degree in architecture, you have to be creative, technically smart and patient!
Chartered Accountant
A Chartered Accountant’s degree is undoubtedly one of the hardest degrees in the world. The subjects involved in the study of accountancy include economics, business laws, finances, mathematics and many more complex ones. It is not a joke to study these subjects themselves let alone all of them together. However, a person has to have a sound grip on all of these to clear all the exams.
It is not just because of the course or the material that this degree is considered tough but the sheer perseverance it requires earning one. In India itself, you will have to appear in exams happening on after the other to clear one level at a time. This takes about 5 years of your life. And the story doesn’t end there. You will also be required to undergo an Articleship (which is a kind of training) for about 3 to 4 years.
Countries like USA and UK are considered one of the best to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant.
Medicine
A career in medicine is a revered one. It is considered a noble profession and undoubtedly touches many lives. Nonetheless, it is also one of the toughest degrees to pursue in the world. The courses require you to not only memorize a lot but also to reproduce them in regular exams. The technical terms and details that have to be learned make things tougher. This degree will require you to have a sound knowledge of not only biology but also chemistry and human anatomy. The toughness of the curriculum is justified because here, more often than not, the case actually becomes one of life and death. And no one wants to play with life.
Some of the best institutes in the world to pursue medicine include Harvard Medical School, John Hopkins School of Medicine, and Duke University School of Medicine among many others. The duration of the course generally revolves around 5 years around the world. After that you will have to undergo an internship period. Further, if you wish to go for a specialization, an MD will require a few more years of your life. It is generally offered for 4 years in UK and 5 years in Canada. Clearly, a doctor has to put in a lot of years of his/her life in the beginning so that others’ lives can be saved.
Read Alos:
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
What Are Some Of The Less Popular Engineering Courses?
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING
Nursing
Nursing is one degree which seems to be easy from the outside but is actually tough to crack. While taking care of patients may seem a fun job it requires a lot of hard work for a person to get there. This degree will take you through rigorous studies combined with laboratory work and hands on experience in the real world. Most of the times, all of this happens simultaneously. With the load of information that has to memorize it becomes of the toughest degrees to pursue in the world. And a series of exams just adds on to it. But once you made it through, it is one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world.
It will take you approximately 3 to 4 years to earn this degree depending on the country and university you opt for. Some of the best universities that offer this program are University of Southampton and University of Toronto.
Pharmacy
Whenever we have some small ailments, we quickly approach a pharmacist to suggest a solution. It seems so simple. But we have no idea how much hard work that pharmacist has put into becoming that person. And we never really care much to ask. Let’s read what they study.
Pharmacists study Pharmacy which is basically the study of dosage of drugs that shall be given to patients. Pharmacy includes study of tough subjects like Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy. And not only that, a lot memorization work is required for becoming a pharmacist. If you wish to become one, you will be required to gather a firm grip on subjects like human anatomy, pharmaceutical engineering and biochemistry. All of this has the potential to drain even the most excited of individuals. Hence, this degree demands patience and perseverance.
This degree takes about 4 years to complete. Some of the best universities in the world that offer this program are University if Oxford and University of Nottingham.
Psychology
Psychology is definitely one of the most interesting subjects in the world. It seems fun. But the reality is that it is actually a tough degree to pursue. This is simply because there is so much to read. You will have to have a lot patience while pursuing this degree. It will test your analytical skills, reasoning ability and understanding of human behavior. This field requires a lot of attention to details, research and hard work. What sets it apart is that psychology is not straight forward like most degrees and mostly will demand you to become the jack of all trades. This is necessary to understand individual behavior.
The average time required to complete this degree is around 3 years around the globe. Countries like the United States and United Kingdom are considered the top preferences for people around the world.
Law
A law degree will definitely provide you with immense knowledge of almost everything that is happening in the world. You will also get a good understand of policy matter. But that comes with a lot of hard work. To begin with, the vast scope of this field from criminal law to intellectual property rights is in itself very overwhelming. Bulky law books with detailed commentaries just add on to it. On top of all that is the complex legal terminology that you will have to get a command on. Definitely it is one of the hardest degrees to pursue in the world.
This degree takes up a good amount of time of your life. On an average a law degree can be earned in about 3 to 5 years depending upon the course you are enrolled in. If you wish to make a specialization, then masters will take another 1 to 2 years depending on the university and country you choose. Some of the best universities in the world for this degree include Harvard Law School, University of Cambridge and Stanford University.
If you wish to get detailed counselling regarding your choice of degree and you are confused where to begin, Admissify is here to help you. Get in touch with the Admissify experts to get highly personalized counselling for yourself!
Conclusion
The toughest degrees in the world include Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Architecture, Chartered Accountant, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology and law. They are not just the toughest because they require high IQ but because of the vastness of the syllabus, intensive curriculum, and huge amount of details that need to be memorized and retained.
FAQ
What is the hardest degree in the world?
There is no single degree that is the hardest. The level of hardness depends on the syllabus, curriculum, effort required, etc.
Is Nursing the hardest degree?
Nursing is definitely counted among the hardest degrees in the world. It is highly competitive and requires deep engagement.
Which is the hardest bachelor’s degree in the world?
While there is no one degree that is the toughest, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Medicine, and Law do come among the toughest degrees in the world.
Avinash Singh is a study abroad consultant with over 10 years of experience helping students achieve their academic goals. He is an expert in the US, Australian, German, and Canadian education systems and has helped hundreds of students secure admission to top universities around the world. In his spare time, Avinash enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid reader and loves to learn new things.
