Which Degree Is Considered the Most Difficult and Why?
Choosing the right degree abroad is one of the most important decisions for Indian students, especially when targeting the world’s toughest and most rewarding academic fields. Understanding which degrees are the hardest globally helps in planning everything from entrance exams and applications to scholarships and visa options for a successful 2025 admission journey.
Top 10 Hardest Degrees in the World for 2025 Admissions
- Medicine
- Engineering (Various Branches)
- Architecture
- Law
- Pharmacy
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics or Statistics
- Nursing
- Economics/Chartered Accountancy
These majors are academically demanding, require critical thinking, advanced skills, and a significant investment of time and effort to succeed—making them highly respected and sought worldwide for their career potential and employability.
Top Universities Abroad for Hardest Degrees (2025)
| Degree | Top Global Universities | Popular Study Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Harvard University, University of Oxford, Karolinska Institute | USA, UK, Sweden |
| Engineering (Aerospace, Chemical, Mechanical) | MIT, Stanford University, ETH Zurich | USA, Switzerland, Germany |
| Architecture | UCL (Bartlett), Delft University of Technology, MIT | UK, Netherlands, USA |
| Law | Harvard Law School, University of Cambridge, Yale | USA, UK |
| Pharmacy | UCSF, Monash University, Harvard | USA, Australia |
| Physics | Caltech, Princeton University, University of Cambridge | USA, UK |
| Chemistry | UC Berkeley, Harvard, University of Tokyo | USA, Japan |
| Mathematics/Statistics | MIT, Oxford, Stanford | USA, UK |
| Nursing | Johns Hopkins, University of Toronto, King’s College London | USA, Canada, UK |
| Economics/Chartered Accountancy | London School of Economics, University of Chicago, ICAI (for CA) | UK, USA, India |
For more on top global colleges, visit our Top Universities in the World guide.
Typical Eligibility & Entrance Exams for Toughest Degrees
- High Academic Scores: 85%+ or 3.5+ GPA for top-tier programs
- English Proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL (6.5–7.5+ for Medicine, Law, etc.)
- Competitive Exams: GRE, GMAT, SAT, MCAT, LSAT
- SOP & LORs: Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation
- Relevant Experience: Internships or projects
Some countries may require additional requirements, such as entrance interviews (for Medicine in the UK) or foundation programs for Architecture or Law. For further details, explore our comprehensive GRE Exam Guide.
Fees & Scholarships for Indian Students
| Degree | Typical Annual Tuition Fee Range | Popular Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | $20,000–$60,000 | Rhodes, Chevening, Fulbright |
| Engineering | $15,000–$50,000 | DAAD, GREAT, Eiffel Excellence |
| Architecture | $15,000–$40,000 | Commonwealth, Inlaks |
| Law | $20,000–$55,000 | Gates Cambridge, Felix |
| Others | $10,000–$45,000 | Country, university, and degree-specific grants |
Always check if your program qualifies for international scholarships. Consider countries like Germany and the UK for more affordable high-quality studies and generous scholarships for Indians.
Visa and Post-Study Work Options
- USA: F-1 visa, up-to 3 years OPT for STEM graduates
- UK: Graduate Route (2 years post-study work visa)
- Canada: PGWP (up-to 3 years)
- Australia: 2–4 year post-study work visa for high-demand degrees
- Germany: 18-month job seeker visa after graduation
Visa application involves documentation, proof of funds, and may require language tests or interviews, depending on the country. Explore more at Post-Study Work Visa UK for updated requirements.
Career Opportunities after Hardest Degrees
- Medicine: Doctor, Surgeon, Researcher
- Engineering: Aerospace/Software Engineer, Design Lead
- Architecture: Design Architect, Urban Planner
- Law: Attorney, Legal Advisor, Corporate Counsel
- Pharmacy: Pharmacist, Clinical Research
- Physics/Chemistry: Scientist, Professor, Lab Director
- Mathematics: Data Scientist, Quant Analyst
- Nursing: Registered Nurse, Practice Leader
- Economics/CA: Economist, Chartered Accountant, Policy Expert
Employers worldwide value these degrees due to the strong analytical, technical, and professional skills developed. Explore the Highest Paying Jobs in the World for further insights on ROI.
In summary, pursuing one of the world’s hardest degrees abroad in 2025 offers both monumental challenges and opportunities. With the right preparation—strong scores, compelling applications, and a focus on scholarships and post-study options—Indian students can not only thrive in rigorous programs but also lay the groundwork for a successful global career.
FAQs on What Are the Hardest Degrees in the World to Study?
1. What are the top 10 hardest degrees in the world?
The top 10 hardest degrees in the world commonly include: (1) Medicine, (2) Engineering (various branches), (3) Chartered Accountancy, (4) Architecture, (5) Physics, (6) Aerospace Engineering, (7) Chemical Engineering, (8) Law, (9) Pharmacy, and (10) Mathematics. These degrees are known for their challenging syllabus, rigorous exams, long study hours, and advanced problem-solving requirements.
2. Which degree is considered No. 1 in terms of difficulty worldwide?
Medicine is widely regarded as the number one hardest degree in the world due to its complex syllabus, extended duration, intense clinical training, and high-pressure exams.
3. What is the rarest degree in the world?
Ethical Hacking, Puppetry, and Nuclear Engineering are among the rarest degrees globally. Degrees such as Astrobiology and Space Law are also highly unique with very few institutions offering them.
4. What is the hardest engineering degree in the world?
Aerospace Engineering and Chemical Engineering are often ranked as the hardest engineering branches due to the complex mathematics, theoretical concepts, and laboratory work involved.
5. Which major is the hardest to study?
Medicine, Physics, and Engineering are considered the hardest majors for undergraduate students, requiring significant memorization, analytical skills, and research abilities.
6. Is Nursing one of the hardest degrees in the world?
Nursing is internationally acknowledged as a difficult degree because of its demanding clinical placements, extensive theoretical knowledge, and high responsibility with patient care.
7. What makes a degree one of the hardest in the world?
Hardness is based on course load, syllabus complexity, exam rigor, practicals, duration, and required skillset. Degrees with large volumes of memorization, critical thinking, lab work, and demanding projects are considered tough.
8. Has any degree received a Guinness World Record for difficulty?
No specific degree has an official Guinness World Record for being the hardest. However, Chartered Accountancy and Medicine exams are informally referenced as among the world's toughest academic challenges.
9. What are some of the top 10 toughest degrees in terms of workload?
Medicine, Engineering (especially Aerospace and Chemical), Chartered Accountancy, Architecture, Physics, Mathematics, Law, Pharmacy, Computer Science, and Astrophysics are degrees recognized for very high workload and complexity.
10. Are arts or humanities degrees ever considered among the hardest majors?
While Arts and Humanities can be challenging, especially in fields like Philosophy and Classical Languages, they are generally not ranked at the top compared to science, technology, and professional degrees for overall difficulty.
11. Which professional qualification is known as the most challenging in India?
Chartered Accountancy (CA) is often considered the most challenging professional qualification in India due to its multi-level examinations and high failure rates.
12. How do top hardest degrees impact future career opportunities?
Harder degrees often lead to respected and well-paid careers such as doctor, engineer, architect, or lawyer, but require more intensive training and upskilling throughout your professional journey.
