It is widely known that some undergraduate programmes are challenging to complete, and others are relatively easy for some students. However, there is no set criterion for determining that a specific course is demanding compared to the other. Furthermore, students are different, and all of them have particular interests. But which are the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world?
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When people talk about the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world, they usually refer to courses that involve some element of science and mathematics. However, there are also other factors to consider, including the time spent preparing for a class.
In other words, an undergraduate degree is hard if it requires a student to spend their time doing schoolwork, writing, researching, and reading for tests. Also, a degree is hard if it requires a student to have a higher mean grade or GPA at the high school level.
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Hardest undergraduate degrees in the world
Any undergraduate degree can be hard based on how you define the concept of "hard." Here is a list of 15 undergraduate degrees considered to be the hardest in the world.
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1. Architecture
Architecture is the hardest undergraduate degree in the world but one of the most rewarding. The subject brings together disciplines from both the science and art fields. As a student, you will have to deal with long study hours, huge workload, and focus on detail.
Students require a GPA of 3.5 or B+ in Mathematics and Physics to enrol. Upon graduation, you will qualify to work as an architect, town planner, building control surveyor, or interior and spatial designer.
2. Biomedical Science
Biomedical Science is a challenging course to study for even the best biology students and future medical school hopefuls. Students learn in detail about the causes of human diseases and how diseases affect the normal functioning of human cells and tissues.
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You require at least a B (plain) in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English to enrol. The degree leads to a career path as a microbiologist, analytical chemist, or biomedical scientist.
3. Law
Bachelor of Law is one of the most challenging degrees because of the coursework involved. Furthermore, a student will have to deal with many essays and a large amount of independent learning and research.
The entry requirements are stiff since a high school student needs to have passed with an average of 65% in all the required subjects to enrol.After graduating, a person can work as a lawyer, arbitrator, barrister, solicitor, or paralegal.
4. Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering is the hardest degree to get. It requires students to study advanced technical courses, attend multiple lab sessions, and solve many math problems. To enrol for the course, you need a GPA of 3.4 or a mean grade of B+.
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An average grade of at least 80% in all the subjects at high school is also required especially mathematics and science subjects. A graduate qualifies to work in many engineering fields, including electrical, electronics, aerospace, nuclear, or sound engineering.
5. Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a challenging degree course at the undergraduate level. It involves a lot of mathematics and physics to complete. Furthermore, students will have to go through a higher number of exams to graduate.
You need to have passed with at least an 80% average in all subjects to enrol as a student. Once you graduate, you qualify to work as a chemical, nuclear, energy, or petroleum engineer.
6. Economics
Economics is a social science course that is both difficult and demanding. The programme involves a lot of learning because of its tricky essay structure, a large and broad syllabus, and the application of advanced mathematics.
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A student requires a GPA of 3.5 or B+ to enrol for an economics degree. After graduating, one can work as an accountant, economist, actuarial analyst, auditor, statistician, or stockbroker.
7. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering tops as the most complex degree on earth. It involves a lot of study work, including physics, designing machines, system mechanisms, and material science. Furthermore, the entry requirements are hard to get because you need a GPA of at least 3.5.
A mean grade of B+ in all subjects, including Mathematics, English, and Physics is needed too. You qualify to work as a mechanical, aerospace, maintenance, nuclear, automotive, or contracting civil engineer upon graduation.
8. Nursing
Nursing is a highly scientific course that demands a lot from students. It requires you to have an impressive score in mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physiology to enrol for the programme.
After enrolling, you will have to deal with countless clinical hours, lab works, hard exams and spend most of your time studying. But once you graduate, you can become a nurse, paramedic, physician associate, or health specialist.
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9. Physics and Philosophy
Physics and Philosophy is challenging because it combines the most rigorous and fundamental sciences and arts subjects. Students must learn physics and philosophy at the same time, which requires a lot of time dedication.
You need a GPA of at least 3.2 or a mean grade of B (plain) to enrol. Once you graduate, you can work as a scientist in any field, including molecular biology, cosmology, or chemistry.
10. Mathematics
Mathematics is the most difficult degree to achieve because it does not come automatically or intuitively for individuals. Instead, it takes lots of effort, and the subject requires students to devote their time and energy to pass.
You need to pass Mathematics with a GPA of 3.2 or B+. After graduating, you can work as an analyst, statistician, data scientist, actuary, mathematics teacher, or accountant.
11. Physics
Physics is a challenging degree to study because it involves a lot of coursework and maths. That means a student must dedicate a lot of time and energy to learning it. As a student, you require a minimum of B+ or a GPA of 3.2 in Mathematics and Physics to enrol. Upon graduation, one can work as a physics teacher, academic researcher, meteorologist, geophysicist, or sound engineer.
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12. Chemistry
Many students find Chemistry a challenging subject because of the technical terms involved and the lack of understanding of familiar words used to convey meaning in chemistry. Also, a student must set aside at least eight hours of their time studying chemistry at university.
You require a mean grade of B+ in Chemistry and any one of Physics, Mathematics, or Biology to enrol. After graduation, one qualifies to work as a toxicologist, analytical chemist, chemistry teacher, or chemical engineer.
13. Aeronautical Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering is one of the most complex fields on earth. The degree course is challenging at the university level because of the time it requires to complete studies. Furthermore, students must have a deep and advanced understanding of physics, mathematics, and even computer science.
You can enrol for the programme if you have passed mathematics and physics, plus either IT, computing, or design technology. Upon graduation, you will qualify to work as an aeronautical, aerospace, maintenance, mechanical, material, or manufacturing systems engineer.
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14. Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Engineering is the toughest undergraduate degree to tackle. One reason for this is that only a few universities worldwide offer the course at an advanced level. Furthermore, the degree programme is heavy in mathematics, physics, and other sciences.
Before you can enrol, you must have high grades in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English Language and any one Science subject. But upon graduation, you will qualify to work as a petroleum or drilling engineer, engineering geologist, geochemist, or geophysicist.
15. Molecular and Cell Biology
Molecular and Cell Biology is one of the most challenging courses at the university level. The programme deals with complex topics like cell functions, molecular structure, and the evolution of living creatures. Furthermore, students must study all living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, plants, animals, fishes, and more.
To enrol for the course, you must pass with a GPA of 3.4 or have a mean grade of B+ in the subjects of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Upon graduating, you can work as a laboratory technician, biology teacher, research specialist, molecular or cellular biologist, or geneticist.
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Is medicine the hardest degree?
One factor that makes medicine one of the hardest bachelor degrees is the entry requirements. You need a higher mean grade or GPA to get into medical school. Also, the course has lots of content, which is the part that makes medical school hard. But after graduating, you can use your degree to work in any medical field or work in areas like research, lecturing, or scientific journalism.
It can be challenging to determine the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world because what is hard for one student is easy for another. Furthermore, students who have a passion for a specific course will find a way to pass it regardless of its difficulty level.
Tuko.co.ke shared an educative article about the top 10 most marketable courses in Kenya in 2021 and least marketable. Naturally, students finishing their form four education select courses deemed marketable when joining college. Such courses end up having more applications than the actual slots available. Priority is then given to students with exceptional grades, while the rest must revise their selection and pick the less marketable diploma courses.
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Even though the ever-changing market forces are supposed to determine the desirability of courses, the most marketable courses in Kenya have remained the same for decades. Unfortunately, the story is no different for the least marketable courses, as some have ended up being scrapped from colleges.
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