Top 10 Toughest Courses in the World
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The most difficult courses in the world are the ones that students find difficult to comprehend and apply the concepts learnt from the course to their daily lives. However, these are not the sole parameters to determine the difficulty of a course. With international students taking the step to study abroad for higher education, the number of study options has expanded. Various degree programs and professional courses like MS, M.Phil, PhD, law, and medicine are considered the toughest courses abroad. Some courses are offered identically in all parts of the world but with certain twists based on the country’s education system. Since courses have evolved with time, some degrees have become the toughest degrees in the world to crack. This article entails the list of the most difficult courses in the world, the deciding factors for the toughest course in the world with the details on the toughest course in the world.
Factors Determining Hardest Course in the World for Study
There are a couple of ways which suggest how tough a course can be in the long run. The factors which help to pick out the most difficult courses in the world are listed below.
- When the stress and need to cope with the speed of covering the exhaustive course modules grip students, they tend to drop out. When asked why most drop-outs opted to quit their courses, the most common reasons included the difficulty of the course and that they got a better course, along with other reasons.
- Several courses have a vast syllabus which requires students to put in more than 10 hours a day to keep their learnings and coursework on track. This leads to students calling out from their courses. Additionally, tough courses become even tougher with the type of specialisation chosen.
- Apart from a vast syllabus, the teaching style at the universities also affects how a student comprehends the lessons. The grading criteria, course material and the academic expectations of students are other factors in this index.
- Some courses require regular assessments owing to their vast syllabus. This leads to exhausting the students. The never-ending quest to prepare and perform well in the exams takes a toll on their mental health. For example, professional courses like LLM and CA are designed in a very different manner. They include both coursework and research as part of degree completion. Plus with each level, the difficulty increases. Thus, opt only if willing to put in the effort.
- Admissions to several courses require students to pass the entrance tests. The questions in these tests are made quite difficult to enrol only the most talented and knowledgeable students into the course, given the large number of applications received by the universities. These tests are so difficult that only a very few students pass them.
- Certain countries abroad have complicated education systems, which may also make degrees harder for international students. The difficulty of a course may vary from university to university. Some universities have a more extensive course structure than others. This affects how the course will be delivered to students, the university’s ranking and the popularity of the course among students. For this reason, a college’s ranking in the world university rankings list differs from the subject ranking list. Countries with the toughest education systems include - Germany, Finland, the USA, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Canada and others.
- Some courses become tough for students if they have not studied those subjects at the previous level of study. Thus, decisions to take up such courses should be made very carefully. On the other hand, medical courses such as MS & MD courses require students to have a medical licence to practice in the country of study, thus, switching from one country to another and obtaining a practice licence may require students to start all over again which can be taxing.
These factors together help applicants understand the hardest course in the world and how they should ideally plan and if they really want to pursue these hardest subjects in the world or not.
Top 10 Hardest Course in World 2025
Any course at the college level studied whether abroad or locally is not a cakewalk. Courses at the college level are very different from school-level learning. There are some courses which are technical while some are non-technical, some are professional, and some are non-professional, also there are some courses abroad that are tough and there may be a few which may not be tough. The list of the 10 most difficult courses in the world is given below.
| Most Difficult Courses in the World |
|
|---|---|
| 1. Medicine |
2. Engineering |
| 3. Neuroscience |
4. Quantum Physics |
| 5. Chemistry |
6. Chartered Accountancy |
| 7. Pharmacy | 8. Data Science |
| 9. Architecture | 10. Law |
The above-mentioned are by popular choice, the top 10 toughest course in world. Let us discuss in detail about these toughest courses in the world for international students in the following section. If you're curious about the easiest degrees, check out our article on the top 10 easiest courses to study.
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Details of Toughest Courses in the World
Let us discuss in detail why the above-given courses are the toughest in the world in the following sections:
1. Medicine Courses
Medicine courses are the toughest courses in the world. The reason why courses like MBBS, MD and MS are so difficult is because of the nature of the curriculum which is vast and requires a lot from the students mentally and physically. These courses are challenging in their ways and demand students to think logically and find solutions to problems based on technicalities. A lot happens in a medical student's life - medicines, learning procedures, understanding what is the right medicine and what is not, practicals, watching live procedures, etc. These reasons make medicine courses the toughest ones of the lot in turn making it to the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Medicine Courses:
- MBBS or MD in USA
- UK
- Canada
- Australia
- Russia
Top Universities for Medicine Courses:
- Harvard University
- University of Oxford
- Stanford University
- John Hopkins University
- University of Cambridge
Check out: Top 10 Medical Colleges in the World
Highest Paid Jobs After Medicine Abroad:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Medicine | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dermatologist | USD 319,084 |
| Anesthesiologist | USD 298,370 |
| Cardiology | USD 294,822 |
| Radiology | USD 116,403 |
| Gastroenterologist | USD 258,869 |
2. Engineering Courses
Engineering courses are the toughest in the world too irrespective of the level of degree they are offered in. Some of the toughest engineering courses include - Nuclear, Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and others. The reason why engineering courses are the toughest in the world is because of their technicality and precision. The engineering courses curriculum are again very vast spread over four years with challenging projects and assignments. practicals and in some cases on-field research also. From working with dangerous chemicals to finding solutions for the environment, all come under engineering courses. These parameters together make Engineering courses some of the hardest subjects in the world. Thus, making it to the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Engineering Courses:
- USA
- UK
- Germany
- Australia
- New Zealand
Top Universities for Engineering Courses:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Purdue University
- University of Michigan
- Imperial College London
Highest Paid Jobs After Engineering:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Engineering | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineer | USD 130,830 |
| Nuclear Engineer | USD 127,000 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | USD 126,990 |
| Aerospace Engineer | USD 122,220 |
| Chemical Engineer | USD 108,610 |
3. Neuroscience Courses
Neuroscience courses are the toughest courses in the world. Neuroscience is all about the brain and its function. There are billions of aspects that one can learn about the brain thus, this is the reason why Neuroscience is the hardest course in the world. There are a lot of complex topics that form a part of Neuroscience which further makes it even more challenging. Since a lot of studies about the brain are published, Neuroscience backs them all up. So if you are interested in learning about the human brain, its functions and applications and are ready for the challenge, then you can choose this toughest course. These reasons make Neuroscience one of the hardest subjects in the world, hence making its position in the list of the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Neuroscience Courses:
- USA
- Canada
- UK
- Australia
- Germany
Top Universities for Neuroscience Courses:
- MIT
- University of Oxford
- ETH Zurich
- University of Toronto
- The University of Melbourne
Highest Paid Jobs After Neuroscience:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Neuroscience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Neurosurgeon | USD 707,000 |
| Neurologist | USD 539,000 |
| Psychiatrist | USD 208,000 |
| Neuropsychologist | USD 187,000 |
| Neurorehabilitation Specialist | USD 97,000 |
4. Quantum Physics Courses
A branch of Physics and one of the toughest ones in the world. Quantum Physics requires mathematical, computer science, and quantum lingo skills. It is about studying atoms and particles at the very basic level and applying the theories in the real world. Of all scientific courses, Quantum Physics has been credited as the toughest course in the world. Because of its difficulty levels, it makes it to the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Quantum Physics Courses:
- USA
- Germany
- France
- Japan
- Australia
Top Universities for Quantum Physics Courses:
- California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
- MIT
- University of Cambridge
- ETH Zurich
- National University of Singapore
Highest Paid Jobs After Quantum Physics:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Quantum Physics | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Quantum Engineer | USD 111,416 |
| Quantum Computing Developer | USD 91,010 |
| Quantum Physicist | USD 120,000 |
| Quantum Information Scientist | USD 100,000 |
| Quantum Physics Professor | USD 200,000 |
5. Chemistry Courses
Chemistry courses are tough because it has a lot of abstract concepts like atoms, molecules and ions. Numerous chemical reactions can be studied practically. There is a lot of maths in Chemistry which makes it even tougher. The Chemistry course is a blend of problem-solving skills and practicals that are essential for completing a course in Chemistry at the bachelor's or master's level. Thus, all of these factors together make Chemistry one of the hardest courses in the world, and thus making it into top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Chemistry Courses:
- USA
- UK
- Germany
- Japan
- France
Top Universities for Chemistry Courses:
- MIT
- CalTech
- Heidelberg University
- University of Cambridge
- University of Tokyo
Highest Paid Jobs After Chemistry:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Chemistry | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineer | USD 130,850 |
| Medicinal Chemist | USD 126,980 |
| Chemical Engineer | USD 108,610 |
| Polymer Chemist | USD 103,230 |
| Materials Scientist | USD 98,210 |
Check: MS in Chemistry Abroad
6. CA Courses
Pursuing a course in CA is itself very challenging. CA degree is considered as one of the hardest degrees in the world. CA as a course is tough because it always keeps its students on the go. There are so many exams, and lots of literature and the nature of qualifying for a CA course is based on a lot of parameters. If you cannot qualify for even one exam, all your effort will go to waste. Along with the exams is articleship, similar to an internship, which is equally essential to fulfil. These reasons make the CA course one of the hardest subjects in world, and also among the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study CA Courses:
- USA
- Australia
- Canada
- UK
- New Zealand
7. Pharmacy Courses
A pharmacy course is the hardest course in the world because it covers almost all major areas of Science, from Chemistry to Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Pharmacology. Thus, all these topics are very tough in their terms, which further makes pharmacy courses some of the toughest ones in the world. This is the reason why Pharmacy courses make it to the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Pharmacy Courses:
- USA
- UK
- Canada
- Germany
- Australia
Top Universities for Pharmacy Courses:
- UCLA
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of London Pharmacy School
- University of Sydney
- University of Toronto
Highest Paid Jobs After Pharmacy Courses:
| Highest Paying Jobs in | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Pharmacist | USD 128,100 |
| Clinical Pharmacy Specialist | USD 126,000 |
| Oncology Pharmacist | USD 122,100 |
| Pharmaceutical Scientist | USD 120,830 |
| Toxicologist | USD 87,660 |
8. Data Science Courses
With a lot of technical skills, lots of data and an understanding of the science behind the data, this is the data science course, another toughest course on the list! There is a lot of programming, students have to learn different types of programming languages and put them into practical use. Since data scientists are in high demand, more and more students opt for this course which is very challenging to complete and qualify. Because of these reasons, Data Science is one of the hardest subjects in the world for studying and in turn, also makes it to top 10 toughest course in world.
Check: Masters in Data Science Abroad
Top Countries to Study Data Science Courses:
- USA
- Germany
- UK
- France
- Australia
Top Universities for Data Science Courses:
- MIT USA
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Oxford
- Harvard University
Highest Paid Jobs After Data Science:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Data Science | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Machine Learning Engineer |
USD 166,401 |
| Robotics Research Scientist |
USD 156,200 |
| Data Visualization Developer |
USD 133,670 |
| Data Scientist |
USD 124,215 |
| Data Mining Engineer |
USD 127,200 |
9. Architecture Courses
Architecture courses are difficult because of their technical aspect. The precision required for an architect to qualify for the course is based on how well he/she performs in exams, and practicals and possesses the know-how of the subject. Architecture is a technical subject, hence higher the level of study, the more difficult it gets for students. Understanding the complex structures and being able to understand how is what the course demands. Thus, it makes it to the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Architecture Courses:
- USA
- UK
- Italy
- Germany
- Australia
Top Universities for Architecture Courses:
- MIT
- ETH Zurich
- Delft University of Technology
- University of Copenhagen
- University College London
Highest Paid Jobs After Architecture:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Architecture | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Project Architect | USD 103,690 |
| Director of Architecture | USD 132,270 |
| Sustainability Consultant | USD 87,510 |
| Urban Designer | USD 85,040 |
| Landscape Arch\itect | USD 78,290 |
10. Law Courses
Law courses are the hardest courses in the world. There is a plethora of literature available for students to study and pursue these courses. Students pursuing an LLB or LLM abroad will have to have proper knowledge of the laws, the sections and how and when to apply the correct law. Though jobs are limited for law grads, whatever is available are usually high-paid ones abroad. Thus, law courses are also the hardest courses in the world, and making lots way into the top 10 toughest course in world.
Top Countries to Study Law Courses:
- USA
- Australia
- UK
- Canada
- New Zealand
Top Universities for Law Courses:
- Harvard University
- Yale Law School
- University of Cambridge
- National University of Singapore
- University of Melbourne
Highest Paid Jobs After Law:
| Highest Paying Jobs in Law | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Patent Lawyer | USD 189,230 |
| Mergers & Acquisition Lawyer | USD 183,180 |
| Antitrust Lawyer | USD 167,990 |
| Tax Lawyer | USD 134,930 |
| Trial Lawyer | USD 131,270 |
Most Difficult Courses in the World - By Specialisations
Since each of the courses above is very broad in its approach, each of them has certain areas of study in which specialising can be even tougher for study. Let's discuss each of these most difficult courses in the world in detail below along with the options that make these courses the world's toughest degrees.
| Toughest Course(s) in the World |
Degrees Offered |
Toughest 5 Specialisations |
|---|---|---|
| Toughest Medicine Courses in the World |
|
|
| Toughest Law Courses in the World |
|
|
|
|
|
| Toughest Linguistics Courses in the World |
|
|
| Toughest Astronomy Courses in the World |
|
|
| Toughest Business Administration Courses in the World |
|
|
| Other Most Difficult Courses |
|
|
The list just does not end here, some many more specialisations and courses are deemed as tough which may change over time based on the student’s experiences.
Also Read:
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Q: How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?
International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:
English language test | Minimum Score required UG | Minimum Score required PG |
|---|---|---|
6 or above | 6 or above | |
59 or above | 58 or above | |
105 or above | 120 or above |
Q: What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: What is the ranking of NTU UK in terms of employability?
According to Uni Compare rankings 2024, NTU has been placed at #1 in the UK for employability. In addition to this, as per the details available on the web, some of the top companies where NTU UK alumni work are Deloitte, Microsoft, Tesco, Turner & Townsend, The Access Group, etc. Some of the industries where the alumni work are Operations, Business Development, Arts and Design, Sales, Marketing, IT, Engineering, Finance, Media & Communication, etc.
This was all about some of the most difficult courses in the world, the difficult deciding factors and the world's toughest courses' specialisations. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.
Toughest Course in the World FAQs
Q. Which is the world toughest course?
A. Medicine, engineering and nursing are considered to be the most difficult courses in the world. These courses require students to dedicate 8-10 hours to studying daily along with getting continuous hands-on practice on the topics learnt.
Q. What is the difference between a course and a degree?
A. There is a stark difference between a course and a degree and they are as follows:
| Parameters | Degrees | Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Formal academic qualification awarded after completing a specified program at a university. | Structured series of classes focusing on a specific subject or skill. |
| Duration | Typically spans years (e.g., 3-4 years for a bachelor's degree). | Can vary widely from weeks to months. |
| Entry Requirements | Usually requires prior academic qualifications; may have additional criteria for postgraduate degrees. | Can vary; some require prerequisites, others are open to anyone interested. |
This condensed table highlights the main differences between degrees and courses in terms of definition, duration, scope, purpose, and entry requirements.
Q. Which factors affect a student’s course preference?
A. Factors like parental choice, difficulty of the course, entrance exams, cost of the course and job prospects affect a student’s course preference largely. The factor that is of the highest weightage to the student has a major contribution to the decision-making of the student.
Q. Which are some of the toughest professional courses in the world?
A. To name a few, some of the world's toughest professional courses include:
- Management
- Computer Science
- Medical
- Engineering
- Nursing
- Designing
- Pharmacy
- Mass Communication
- Journalism
- Finance
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
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The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.