Do you ever wonder what the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world are and what makes them? We will be discussing that in this article.
Every professional field in the world grows competitively with every day that goes by; the job selection process has become quite rigorous too and job seekers keep coming on the rise. Employers seeking specific and more focused skills.
The truth is, every course is designed to train the students to get better in those fields, however, some degrees are believed to be harder than others. Although we believe that the hardest undergraduate degrees primarily depends on the students’ individual strengths. But no matter how you try to slice and dice it, there are undergraduate degrees that require more prerequisite courses with vast in-person requirements. These requirements could include labs and internships.
Those are the degrees that pass as some of the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world. We will be making a list of 13 of these hardest undergraduate degrees in the world but before then, let’s talk about what makes these degrees the hardest undergraduate degrees.
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What Makes the Hardest Undergraduate Degrees in the World?
A
Certainly, there are no many objective criteria we can use to measure what’s makes these degrees the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world from the others. The reason is that these things depend on individual strengths and what is difficult for one student might come naturally easy for the other.
However, we think that determining what makes the hardest undergraduate degrees first depends on the students; their strengths and passions.
Naturally, a thing becomes somewhat for a person to do when they have no interest and passion in it. Could this be the reason some degrees are considered the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world?
B
Or, could the hardest undergraduate degrees be determined by one critical factor; the amount of time students invest in preparing for classes and materials for these degrees; studying for exams and all the other requirements not involved in some other degrees.
Meanwhile, is criterion has been used by quite several websites and surveys like the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in 2006 which published data that detailed the number of hours college students spent preparing for class each week.
This preparation according to a survey, consists of everything from homework, studying for exams and then reading and writing.
Meanwhile, some other websites and organisations could base determining what makes the hardest undergraduate degrees on factors such as how many all-nighters students pulled and how low or high the average GPA for a particular major is. That is, the lower the GPA, the harder the degree.
However, some others based their determination on the number of students who obtain degrees in majors in four years. That is to say that degrees that take longer than the popular average bachelor’s degree timespan are harder.
We will be discussing the 13 hardest undergraduate degrees in the world, but if you have or know other criteria you think could be used to determine what makes the hardest undergraduate degrees, do let us know in the comment section at the end of this article.
Also read: 14 Easiest Undergraduate Degrees in the World in 2023
Hardest Undergraduate Degrees in the World
Even though we believe that what degrees would be hard for you could solely depend on your interests and passions, however, some undergraduate degrees require more study time and heavier preparations. These could objectively make them pass as the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world.
Below are the 13 hardest undergraduate degrees in the world; in no particular order.
- Architecture
- Chemistry
- Neuroscience
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Biochemistry or Biophysics
- Astronomy
- Physics
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Aero and Astronautical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
1. Architecture
This undergraduate degree could pass as the top on the list of the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world. It requires over 22 hours of class preparation every week.
Students who are in this major learn to design and build structures. In addition, they study the history and theory behind architecture.
These students are required to take classes on the following courses:
- Urban design
- Calculus
- Design theory
- Design processes
- History of architecture
- Art history
- Physics.
2. Chemistry
Chemistry undergraduates invest over two and half hours each day preparing for class every week. That makes it 18.06 hours every week.
Also, they have to put up with learning and understanding the composition, functions and behaviours of matter and energy. And then the reactions between various forms of matter.
Also, the classes usually required for this undergraduate degree are as follows:
- General chemistry
- Biology
- Calculus
- Statistics
- Physics
- Organic chemistry.
3. Neuroscience
This undergraduate degree involves putting in about 18 hours of your time preparing for class every week. And for some universities, it goes more than this.
This undergraduate degree is mainly about learning and understanding the human nervous system which includes its development, structures and roles. However, here, the main focus is given to the brain and its cognitive properties.
Students in this major take classes in the following courses:
- Biology
- Calculus
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Physics
4. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering requires a minimum of 18.11 hours to be put in class preparation every week. However, this depends on the country and their system of education.
This major entails the creation, design, manufacturing and analysis of mechanical systems. Even more broadly, anything in motion.
Students majoring in this field are expected to receive classes I the following courses:
- Calculus
- Dynamics and controls
- Chemistry
- Design and manufacturing
- Thermal science
- Physics.
5. Petroleum Engineering
This undergraduate degree requires an average of 18.41 hours for preparation of class each week. However, this will vary across universities.
In this major, students learn and understand basically all about the extraction and production of oil and natural gas. Also, students in this major are expected to receive classes in the following courses:
- Chemistry
- Properties of petroleum fluids, energy and the environment
- Calculus
- Reservoir geomechanics
- Physics
- Geology
- Petrophysics.
6. Bioengineering
Bioengineering otherwise known as biological engineering involves almost 19 hours of class preparations for courses each week.
This undergraduate degree merges both biological and engineering principles to develop functional products such as medical devices and diagnostic equipment.
Students in this major are expected to tale classes on the following courses:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Statistics
- Computer programming
- Science of materials.
Also, see: Teach English Online With no Degree; Requirements, Salary, and Schools
7. Biochemistry or Biophysics
This undergraduate degree otherwise known as Biophysics requires a minimum of 18.49 hours every week for class preparations. However, this varies across institutions.
Students in the biochemistry major focus on the chemical processes and substances in living organisms. On the other hand, biophysics involves employing the fundamental principles of physics to study organisms and biological phenomena.
However, these courses are quite similar, only the approaches to them differ.
Students in any of these two are expected to receive classes in the following courses:
- Neurobiology
- Cell biology
- Genetics
- Computing
- Evolutionary biology
- Physiology.
8. Astronomy
Astronomy is one of the hardest undergraduate degrees requiring approximately 19 hours for class preparation every week. Also, this depends on the institution.
This undergraduate degree involves the study of celestial objects such as stars, planets and steroids. Also, the degree entails the study of related phenomena like supernovae and black holes.
Students in this major are required to take classes in the following courses:
- Astrophysics
- Planetary geology
- Physics
- Computer science
- Calculus
- Cosmology.
9. Physics
The average hour required for class preparations in this major is over 19 hours every week. However, this can vary in institutions.
This undergraduate degree involves learning and understanding of movements and properties of matter through time and space. Also, it entails learning and understanding the concepts of force and energy.
Students in this major are required to take classes on the following courses:
- Electricity
- Quantum physics
- Vibrations and waves
- Thermodynamics
- Magnetism
- Gravity
10. Cell and Molecular Biology
This undergraduate degree requires an average of a little over 19 hours for class preparation every week.
It is an interdisciplinary field, with cell and molecular biology combined with chemistry and biology. It involves analysing cellular processes and understanding the functions and structures of life forms.
The courses required for the undergraduate major are:
- Marine molecular ecology
- Ecology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Math
- Biology
11. Biomedical Engineering
This undergraduate degree takes approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes to prepare for classes each week. However, this number of hours may vary across institutions.
The major entails employing principles of engineering and biology to develop quality products particularly for use in medicine and healthcare.
Students studying Biomedical Engineering are required to take classes on the following courses:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Electric circuits
- Statistics
- Engineering design
- Thermodynamics
- Calculus
12. Aero and Astronautical Engineering
This undergraduate degree requires approximately 19.30 hours for preparation of classes each week.
While aero and astronomical engineering comprise the two types of aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering is about the development of spacecraft to use outside the atmosphere. On the other hand, aeronautical engineering entails the development of aircraft to use within the earth’s atmosphere.
Students in these majors are required to take classes on the following courses:
- Gas dynamics
- Aerodynamics
- Space system designs
- Aircraft/spacecraft structures
- Aircraft/spacecraft propulsion
13. Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a vast subset of engineering that entails the design, production, use and transportation of chemicals. Also, it involves the operation of chemical plants.
This undergraduate degree requires over 20 hours each week for class preparations. Although this can vary across institutions.
Students in this major are required to take classes on the following courses:
- Physics
- Calculus
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Kinetics
- Materials science
- Transport processes.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing From the Hardest Undergraduate Degrees in the World.
Our list of the hardest undergraduates degrees in the world is based on the time required for class preparations each week. Now, if you are yet to consider which to major in, this part of the article is for you.
Also, even if you have, continue to read to ensure you have chosen the right degree for you.
It is important to choose a field you are enthusiastic about; a field that can get you the job you will enjoy doing for the rest of your life. Never for the popularity or the rush into the field but for your desire to be in that field.
Below are the three key factors you need to consider before a degree:
- Passion and interests
- Abilities
- Career objectives and interests
You need to be passionate and enthusiastic about the degree you are choosing. You need to choose a degree that interests you on a deep and genuine level.
Also, you will need to ensure that you have the ability and the capacity to excel in the degree you are choosing.
Also, you need to ensure that the degree you are choosing is at least, relatively identified with your future desires.
These are the three key factors to consider when choosing a degree.
FAQs – Hardest Undergraduate Degrees
What courses are the most difficult for degrees? The degree fields that are the most difficult to succeed in include aerospace engineering, law, chartered accounting, architecture, chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, psychology, statistics, nursing, physics, astrophysics, biomedical engineering, astronomy, and dentistry.
Architecture
Chemistry
Neuroscience
Mechanical Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Bioengineering
Biochemistry or Biophysics
Astronomy
Physics
Cell and Molecular Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Aero and Astronautical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Before becoming successful, many of the world’s billionaires earned both a bachelor’s and an MBA. Engineering or business administration are the most popular majors. It takes perseverance and hard effort to become a millionaire.
Conclusion
These degrees listed as the hardest undergraduate degrees in the world are based on the required hours for class preparations. However, some of them come easy for some students and not for others.
Also, if any of these degrees have been your dream degree to study, do not let the list deter you. You are on the right path.
At the end of the day, we hope you make the best choice for yourself and we wish you the best!
