The Toughest Courses in the World (2024)

There’s never a definite answer to the most challenging courses in the world. The possible ways to determine them can be based on the criteria of university rankings, admission competitiveness, enrollment, and job and salary prospects.

Here’s the list ofsome toughest courses in the world

Engineering:

Engineering is the study of using the foundation of math and science to apply to its design. It is one of the oldest and most diverse disciplines in the world. It helps to solve the technical complexities through building and designing. Engineering helps build machines, devices, structures and systems that benefit the world. To get into engineering, you should have a strong understanding of science and math. They work together to produce engineering works. To qualify in this field, you need to complete rigorous coursework.

Based on QS Rankings, these are the top 5 engineering universities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and University of California, Berkeley (UCB). There is a high demand for Engineering graduates, and they offer lucrative salaries.

Medicine:

Studying medicine requires one to be scientifically knowledgeable and have strong clinical skills. Medicine is all about learning how to care for people’s well-being. It involves diagnosing, treating and curing ailments or pain in the human body. Apart from professional values, you must have compassion and empathy towards your patients and colleagues. To study medicine, you must acquire medical skills and look at a medical university to enhance your knowledge.

Based on QS Rankings, these are the top 5 medical universities: Harvard University, University of Oxford, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University and University of Cambridge. It is the most difficult course in the world, yet rewarding and noble! There’s always a demand for medical graduates in the world.

Law:

Law is the world’s toughest exam to crack as it requires a high level of logical, analytical, research, critical thinking, communication and writing skills. The study of law involves learning about the governing rules of humans, society, and the world. It can be divided into constitutional law, civil law, contract law, tort law, criminal law, and international law. If you want to study law, you need to have a deep understanding of its law’s scope, nature, and functions. You must possess strong analytical, critical, argumentative, ethical and professional skills and values.

Based on QS Rankings, these are the top 5 law universities: Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Yale University and Stanford University. Law graduates can pursue various careers in the public and private sectors.

Chartered Accountant:

Chartered Accountant is a profession and the toughest course to crack in the world. It is known as a Certified Public Accountant. CA is the study of business, including finance, tax, auditing, and management. It is considered a respected profession not just in the business world but in society as a whole. If you dream of being a CA, you need to have a good financial background. You must also have strong analytical, problem-solving, strategic planning, interpersonal, and communication skills.

As per QS Rankings, these are the top 5 Chartered Accountant universities: Harvard University. Stanford University, University of Oxford, University of Chicago and University of Cambridge.

Aeronautical Engineering :

Aeronautical Engineering is the hardest course in the world to study. It studies the science of flight by designing all types of flying machines. The course is based on the study of physics and math, and how to design is your skills. Therefore, you need to have solid calculative and observation skills. If you plan to study, you should opt for science subjects ( chemistry, math, physics, and an optional subject). This course is for those interested in studying airplanes and working in the aircraft building sector.

According to U.S News, these are the top 5 aerospace engineering grad schools in the world: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. There’s a high demand for aerospace engineers all over the world.

Finance:

Finance is one of the hardest courses to study in the world. It studies subjects like finance, accounting, management, and economics. Above all, money management is an important part of the study as it relates to real-life events. One of the toughest courses in finance is Chartered Financial Analyst. If you love numbers and have critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical, financial, and management skills, you should apply to study finance!

These are the top 5 finance universities for accounting & finance: Harvard University. Stanford University, University of Oxford, University of Chicago and University of Cambridge. Financial skills are in demand in most verticals, and pay is a hefty salary for qualified candidates.

Nursing:

Nursing is a branch of health care that requires one to have medical and scientific knowledge. But above all, nursing requires one to have the skills to care for different types of patients. Nursing requires working with other healthcare professionals such as nurse practitioners, physicians, physical therapists, and psychologists. Nursing is the best course to pursue if you have a good GPA in math, biology, chemistry and the ability to adapt to any emergency situation.

According to the QS World University Rankings, these are the top 5 nursing universities: University of Pennsylvania, King’s College London, John Hopkins University, University of Washington and University of Alberta.

Quantum Physics:

It’s not easy to get a degree in quantum physics as it’s one of the toughest courses in the world. Quantum physics is a branch of physics that requires mathematical, computer science, and quantum lingo skills. It is about studying atoms and particles at their basic level and applying the theories in the real world. The technologies powered by QM are in the medical field, computer, and communication. The prospects of quantum physics are in digital, manufacturing, drug, and chemical research, finance modeling industries, etc.

According to U.S News, these are the top 5 physics quantum universities: California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, University of Chicago and Princeton University.