Most difficult courses in the world | Here are the top 13 courses! (2024)

Most difficult courses in the world | An overview

A classroom holds the future of a country. If students learn how to overcome academic hardships early on, hurdles in higher education will only help them prepare for the real world. Hence, top universities try and deliver the best quality education for all of the most difficult courses in the world.

A difficult course, as the name suggests, requires sheer hard work, willpower, and effort. The level of competition among students to get into these courses is high and requires preparation and commitment. Some of the toughest courses in the world include-

Engineering

Engineering is considered one of the most difficult courses in the world as it involves more math and physics than most students want to take on. The course curriculum includes problem-solving using tactical and analytical skills and critical thinking. There are numerous specializations that students can pursue in the field, but some engineering degrees are more difficult than others.

Some of the most difficult courses in engineering include:

1. Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is easily among the toughest courses in the world. It deals with abstract concepts, and electricity is not something that can be easily visualized.It is a complex topic but worth the hard work and years spent studying since electrical engineers are sought after.

With electricity being the biggest energy source globally, the demand for these engineers will only increase.

2. Aerospace Engineering

The recent travel to Mars has generated renewed interest in this field of engineering.

Aerospace engineering deals with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. It has two overlapping branches – aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

What makes it so hard to study is the insane amount of complex information you must acquire to perform the job. The coursework is not only difficult but also extensive and deep.

To qualify for the course, you need to have a background in chemistry or aviation mechanics – both are more demanding from a mathematical point of view compared to other disciplines within engineering.

3. Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering takes the cake in the hardest discipline purely because it combines engineering’s most complex knowledge with chemistry. Chemistry is a vast field. It is considered one of the most difficult courses to study in the world due to the combination of abstraction and theoretical knowledge required for the job.

You have to have a grasp of engineering fundamentals like math and physics. The role of chemical engineers is gaining popularity in the food industry through their contribution by finding innovative ways.

Chemical engineers also help enhance food production and make pesticides and fertilizers. Several universities abroad provide courses and specializations in chemical engineering.

Medicine

Medical science can be considered one of the most difficult courses to study in the world, and for the right reasons.

The medical program is of 5 years, and the specialization requires another three. Medical science has many specialities. However, some are the most challenging and require a special skill set. The course curriculum prepares a student for the academic challenge of becoming a physician.

The course generally begins with health-related science classes in biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, microbiology, and genetics.

With the pandemic bringing new attention to the importance of healthcare professionals and their contributions, the demand for these front-line professionals will only increase in the coming years.

Chartered Accountancy

Chartered accountancy is a well-respected and dignified profession which has lucrative career prospects. However, it is also one of the most difficult courses to study in the world. It comprises education in the field of business, taxation, accounting, and auditing.

From ensuring the company’s financial health to detecting and preventing financial irregularities, the job of a chartered accountant is a demanding one. The employment opportunities are immense and this is likely to grow as more startups and businesses are being established.

Pharmacy

The field of study for pharmacy covers pharmaceutical organic and inorganic chemistry and analysis. While it does go hand in hand with medicine, it is not limited to selling drugs and medication in drug stores.

Pursuing pharmacy is a good choice for science students, but pursuing the course is no mean feat. The degree requires analysis, calculations, and applied chemistry and mathematics with the creativity and innovation to research and find solutions.

However, fierce competition in the health science sectors has contributed to the popularity of pharmacy courses despite their difficulty level.

Architecture

A course in Architecture is one of the most common professional undergraduate programs.

The course is of five years that include calculus and technical engineering component as well as aesthetic design courses, building technology, and history, among others.

This course is one of the most difficult courses in the world for a reason. Most people think that architecture is about sketching and designing.

But it’s so much more and requires effort and analytical thinking to complete a project. The curriculum consists of the construction of buildings, highways, and civil construction. It requires innovative ideas and excellent analytical skills.

Statistics

Today, data is gold. With businesses pouring in millions of dollars to collect and analyze customer data, statistics courses are gaining popularity. Students applying to study statistics need to have a strong academic background in mathematics, as most universities require excellent grades in mathematics.

Statistics involves problem-solving through logical analysis and observations. Mathematics and logic are the main pillars of statistics and are extremely practical because it allows you to make insightful decisions.

Law

Most students entering law school know that this course is no walk in the park. Law is a reputable degree to earn and is among the most difficult courses in the world to complete. Studying to become a lawyer is challenging as it requires reading and learning about laws, case studies, legal documents, and complex law cases loaded with legal terminology and jargon.

The course also includes a combination of lectures, presentations, and debates to help law students develop the required legal skills like research, analysis, argument formation, and public speaking.

Philosophy

People pursuing this course go in-depth to learn about things ranging from nature and existence to mathematics, religion, etc. Students need to gain every bit of knowledge to understand the concerns of humanity or question complex dynamics through reasoning and gathering data points from different sources. This makes it one of the toughest courses in the world.

Nursing

To build a career in nursing, you need a strong background knowledge along with hands-on experience in patient care, and a degree here trains you the same way as required for the practical world. The courses focus on rigorous approaches to help you gain lab skills, patient care skills, etc.

Biochemistry

The NSSE sample report puts Biochemistry amongst the hardest majors. Biochemistry looks closely at the chemical processes and substances in living organisms and involves using the main principles of physics to study organisms and biological phenomena.

It demands the retention of a large volume of facts as well as the understanding of abstract concepts. Biology, chemistry, physics, and math are a must since specialized classes cover topics such as genetics, cell biology, neurobiology, evolutionary biology, and computing.

Some other difficult courses

Besides the one mentioned above, here is a list of some of the most challenging courses in the world-

1. Psychology
2. Quantum Mechanics
3. Criminology
4. Aeronautics
5. Astronomy
6. Veterinary medicine
7. Neuroscience

Key takeaways

• The difficult courses in the world shouldn’t stop you from pursuing and applying for a course of your choice.
• With a plethora of colleges and universities providing various courses, you can check out your ideal colleges of choice that you want to apply to.

If you have any more questions about the most difficult courses in the world or need some assistance with your study abroad journey, feel free to connect with us or drop a comment below.

Good Luck!

Liked this Blog? Then read: Learn about the hardest degree in Guinness World Record!

FAQs

Q1. Which country has the toughest education system?

Answer – Countries with the toughest education system include South Korea, Japan and Singapore.

Q2. Which country has the best education system?

Answer – The USA has the best education system, followed by the UK.

Q3. Is MBBS tough?

Answer – MBBS is one of the toughest medical courses due to its extensive syllabus and long course duration.