Top 10 Hardest Degrees in the World in 2025 [Updated]

Are you up for an extreme academic challenge? Want a degree that will push your limits, test your perseverance, and demand your intellectual prowess? We're talking about the hardest degrees in the world. Check out the top 10 hardest degrees in the world in this article and understand why they are so challenging!

What are the hardest degrees in the world? While there is no single explanation, there are key parameters that make a degree tough in nature. While studying abroad, the most challenging degrees in the world are those that are in high demand, require rigorous coursework, and necessitate internships or work experience, as well as the completion of research projects.

Degrees are the hardest in the world, usually have lower acceptance rates, and their admission criteria are also very competitive. Thus, based on these parameters, we have curated a list of the hardest degrees in the world for international students, so go check it out now!

What is the Meaning of Hardest Degrees?

Degrees that are challenging and have a rigorous curriculum are considered the hardest degrees to study. Academically, the hardest degrees are nerve-wrecking tough and demand consistency from their students to clear all exams and get the degree in one go. Degrees that are tough to crack usually witness high drop-out rates and lower student retention YoY. 

List of Top 10 Hardest Degrees in the World 2025

Here’s a list of top 10 hardest degrees in the world that international students must keep a note of:

List of Top 10 Hardest Degrees in the World
1. BE/B.Tech	2. LLB
3. MBBS	4. LLM
5. MBA	6. MD (Master of Medicine)
7. MS (Master of Surgery)	8. MS(c)
9. CA	10. PhD

Check out the section below for details on why the degrees mentioned above are the hardest in the world. 

Hardest Degrees in the World 2025

Check out why the below-given degrees are the hardest ones in the world for international students and also why they are the toughest. 

1. BE/B.Tech

Why is BE/BTech the hardest degree in the world? BE/BTech abroad is one of the toughest degree programs in the world because:

• One of the technical degrees is a stepping stone for students in postgraduate courses.
• It is also one of the hardest degrees in the world because most students report having backlogs across semesters in BE/BTech.
• Students who pursue BE/BTech have a lot of coursework, assignments, projects, and seminars, which leaves no scope for additional work.
• BE/BTech students face difficulty in passing the exams due to the technical complexities, making this degree the hardest in the world. 

BE/BTech Degree Highlights

Full Form	Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Technology
Duration	3-4 years
Hardest BE/BTech Specialisations	Chemical Engineering Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Computer Science Engineering Biomedical Engineering  Mechanical Engineering
Top BE/BTech Universities Abroad	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Technical University of Munich National University of Singapore University of Wyoming Nanyang Technological University
Admission Requirements	High school scores 60% and above + TOEFL/IELTS + SAT/ACT
Scope	Top-paid careers, good salary growth and industry benefits
Career Prospects	Software Engineer Systems Engineer Network Engineer Mechanical Engineer Civil Engineer
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 100,640 (annually)

2. LLB

Why is LLB the hardest degree in the world?: LLB is also the hardest degree in the world and here are the reasons why:

• Because of the number of laws, LLB requires a lot of law literature. This, in turn, makes LLB the hardest degree in the world.
• Secondly, LLB is also the hardest degree in the world at the bachelor’s level because students have to be technically correct. 
• The LLB curriculum is vast, so it can overwhelm students, which is also why it is the hardest in the world.
• Finally, LLB exams are tough and very challenging, and thus, the majority of students find it difficult to pass them. 

LLB Degree Abroad Highlights

Full Form	Bachelor’s of Legislative Law
Duration	3-4 years
Toughest LLB Specialisations	Criminal Law Labor Law Consumer Law Human Rights Law Environmental Law
Top Universities Abroad for LLB	Harvard University University of Oxford University of Cambridge Yale University Stanford University
Admission Requirements	High school scores 60% and above + TOEFL/IELTS + LNAT/LSAT/GRE
Scope	Good scope in government and private sectors, law firms and even MNCs.
Career Prospects	Lawyer  Legal Counsel Legal Advisor Legal Compliance & Litigation Solicitor
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 105,000 (annually)

3. MD Degree

Why is MD the hardest degree in the world?: MD is also the hardest degree in the world. Based on a variety of parameters, here's why MD is the toughest degree globally:

• The MD degree's course curriculum globally is generally very tough and requires students to always be physically and mentally involved.
• If they pursue an MD degree abroad, they will not have time for hobbies or socialising. 
• MD is challenging at its level; on one particular day, an MD student must deal with many medicines, formulae, and practicals and projects.

Because of these parameters, Master's in Medicine is among the top 10 hardest degrees in the world.

MD Degree Abroad Highlights 

Full Form	Master of Medicine
Duration	years
Hardest Specialisations	Neurosurgery Cardiothoracic surgery Pediatric Oncology Interventional cardiology Haematology/oncology
Top Universities for MD Abroad	Harvard University University of Oxford  Johns Hopkins University University of Cambridge  Stanford University
Admission Requirements	BSc or MBBS + TOEFL/IELTS + MCAT / any other entrance test + 1 year residency
Scope	Medical practice, research and scope for a good career
Career Prospects	Medical Practitioners Consultants Policymakers Health Administrators Public Health Organisations
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 150,000 - USD 210,000

4. MBBS

Why is MBBS the hardest degree in the world?: MBBS is one of the hardest degrees in the world. MBBS abroad is also the hardest degree in the world. MBBS admissions are also very tough and selection is also very selective. Other reasons why MBBS is the hardest degree in the world are:

• MBBS is the hardest degree in the world because it is the longest bachelor-level course, six years.
• One year of residency is important to pass the MBBS degree, which is also challenging for students.
• The MBBS degree is also the hardest among other bachelor’s degree courses because it includes everything—coursework, practicals, projects, assignments, and even workshops or seminars. 
• There is always so much to learn, from medicines to formulae and whatnot, in MBBS, making it harder for students and, in turn, making it the toughest degree for study.  

MBBS Degree Abroad Highlights

Full Form	Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Duration	6 years (3+2+1)
Top Universities for MBBS Abroad	Harvard University Imperial College London Yale University Johns Hopkins University University of Cambridge
Admission Requirements	BSc (in USA) / high school scores + IMAT/MCAT/OMET/USMLE + TOEFL/IELTS/PTE
Scope	Scope for higher education + practice medicine
Career Prospects	Hospital Management Medical Teaching Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology Forensic Medicine Clinical Researcher
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 70,000 - USD 85,000

Applicants applying for MD in the USA must note that they have to take MBBS+MD in the USA as a whole. There is no concept of MBBS in the USA; in fact, an MD degree is taught there. 

Check out Why Study MBBS Abroad?

5. LLM

Why is LLM the hardest degree in the world?: LLM abroad is also a very difficult degree to complete and is considered one of the hardest degrees in the world. The reason being:

• LLM is a demanding course with lots of reading, giving mocks, attending seminars and preparing for exams and assignments simultaneously.
• LLM is the toughest degree in the world also because of its challenging modules and rigorous curriculum design.
• Students usually cannot pursue any additional activity along with an LLM degree because the course curriculum does not allow for it.
• LLM is also the hardest degree in the world because students face significant time management challenges.

Thus, overall, LLM is very challenging and demanding. Though it is the hardest degree in the world, finding a job after LLM is still difficult. This is the only course where this kind of circumstance exists. 

LLM Abroad Highlights

Full Form	Master of Legislative Law (LLM)
Duration	2 years
Hardest LLM Specialisations	Legal Studies Criminology Administrative Law and Policy Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law Corporate & Financial Law
Top Universities for LLM Abroad	University of Oxford University of Cambridge King's College London Griffith College The University of Melbourne
Admission Requirements	LLB + TOEFL/IELTS + SOP
Scope	Jobs in teaching, government and research
Career Prospects	Administrative Law and Policy Lawyer Intellectual Property and Information Technology Lawyer Corporate & Financial Lawyer Comparative Lawyer Criminology Lawyer
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 65,000 - USD 86,000

Also Read:

• Hardest Courses in the World
• Hardest Languages in the World

6. MBA

Why is MBA the hardest degree in the world? MBAs are also among the hardest degrees because of their worldwide demand, which is accompanied by tougher competition and selection processes. MBA abroad is among the top 10 hardest degrees in the world because of the following reasons: 

• MBA is the hardest degree in the world because it requires its applicants to score well on the GRE or GMAT, have prior work experience and be at the top of their class.
• MBA curriculum is vast and with internships kicking in between, it can make it tougher for students to complete with good scores.
• Another reason why MBA is the hardest is that it constantly challenges its students. 
• While there are pros to choosing the hardest MBA degree program, students can also enjoy lucrative job opportunities. 

Check:

• Top 10 MBA Colleges in the World 
• MBA from India or Abroad: Which is Better?

MBA Abroad Highlights

Full Form	Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Duration	1-2 years
Toughest MBA Specialisations	Business Analytics Finance Information Systems Marketing Entrepreneurship
Top Universities for MBA Abroad	Stanford Graduate School of Business Harvard Business School Wharton School of Business London Business School MIT (Sloan)
Admission Requirements	Bachelor’s degree (any stream) + GRE/GMAT + TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo + SOP + LOR
Scope	Top-paid jobs, best companies for work, scope for higher education, also
Career Prospects	Business Analyst CxO Marketing Specialist Project Manager CFO
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 100,000 - USD 120,000

7. MS Degree 

Why are MS & MD (Medicine) the hardest degrees in the world?: As the name suggests, Master of Surgery is a postgraduate course after MBBS and is one of the toughest degrees in the world. MD and MS have been separated because they have different degrees and specialisations. Thus, MS or Masters in Surgery is also one of the toughest degrees in the world, let us check out how: 

• The master of Surgery degree is the toughest but very rewarding because of its complex learning procedures. 
• There is a commitment to continuous learning and a promise of consistency to hone your skills to perfection for being a successful surgeon.
• Surgeons have some of the highest-paid jobs in the world, and thus, so are their training and education. 
• Finally, those who are enrolled in a master of Surgery program must devote a lot of their time and energy to completing their degree successfully. 

Students with good concentration skills and a passion for becoming a surgeon can choose this tough degree for study. 

MS Abroad Highlights

Full Form	Master of Surgery (MS)
Duration	2 years
Hardest MS Specialisations	Cardiology Neurosurgeon Cardiothoracic Surgery Anesthesiology  Oncology
Top Universities for MS Abroad	The University of Melbourne The University of Notre Dame Queen Mary University of London University of Glasgow Monash University
Admission Requirements	BSc / MBBS + IELTS/TOEFL + Written Test and/or interview
Scope	Research and higher education, or very highly-paid jobs
Career Prospects	Cardio Surgeon Neurosurgeon Radiologist Orthopaedic  Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 120,000 - USD 200,000

8. MSc Degree 

Why is an MSc the hardest degree in the world?: MS abroad or MSc as it is commonly referred to is also one of the world’s toughest degrees. Check out why:

• MS is a science-based course, a level up from a bachelor’s, so students usually find it difficult.
• Completing an MS degree can be tough because either a dissertation or research work will be required, or coursework can be considered. 
• MS constitutes a complex curriculum that is spread over 1-2 years. 
• While MS degrees are tough, the subjects chosen might be even tougher, making them even harder to earn. 

MS is usually the next best option for those who wish to go into research, which is why it can be tougher than other degree programs worldwide. 

MSc Degree Abroad Highlights

Full Form	Master of Science (MSc)
Duration	1-2 years
Toughest MS Specialisations	Artificial Intelligence Data Analysis IT & Networking Computer Science Nanotechnology
Top Universities for MS Abroad	Arizona State University Texas A & M University University of Roehampton The University of British Columbia The University of Melbourne
Admission Requirements	Bachelor’s degree + GRE + IELTS/TOEFL
Scope	Research or PhD or go for a job
Career Prospects	Researcher Analyst Associate Professor Statistician Biomedical Scientist
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 65,000

9. CA Degree

Why is CA considered the hardest degree in the world?: CA degree is a professional degree which is very challenging. Reasons why it is the toughest degree globally is as follows: 

• The nature of CA degree coursework is tough. It is a long journey of 5 years which requires a lot of hard work.
• Applicants must pass a series of exams, making the CA degree the hardest. 
• The CA degree also requires its students to have three years of articleship experience, and they have to pass the CA finals, which is tough. 
• Missing an attempt for an exam over five years of the CA degree can make things tougher for students in future. 

Thus, the exams of CA are tough, articleship is challenging and finally qualifying for CA’s exams is the hardest. All three of these aspects make CA one of the world’s hardest degrees. 

CA Degree Highlights

Full Form	Chartered Accountant (CA)
Duration	5 years
Hardest CA Specialisations	Accounting Taxation Financial Management Auditing Business Advice
Top Universities for CA Abroad	American Institute of Certified Public Accountants  Bangor University Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants  Lincoln University Edith Cowan University
Admission Requirements	High school / bachelor’s + ACCA exam/entrance exam + TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo
Scope	Business advisor for companies
Career Prospects	CA
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 90,000

Check: Masters vs PhD: Which one is right for you?

10. PhD 

Why is a PhD the hardest degree in the world? PhD abroad is one of the hardest degrees in the world because of the following reasons:

• The research is vast, and so is the depth of study. Choosing the right research project topic and completing it is a task.
• A PhD is the hardest degree because it is the pinnacle of educational qualifications; thus, a lot of hard work, research work and brainstorming is required.
• What also makes a PhD one of the most hardest degrees in the world is its nature of research, which should be of very high standards.
• The final thesis submission also requires several rounds of clearance. Applicants have to undergo a tough interview with evaluators who finally approve or disprove them. 

Unless everything is clear, acceptance of the thesis and awarding a PhD can take some time. This is why PhD is one of the hardest degrees in the world.  

PhD Degree Highlights:

Full Form	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Duration	3-6 years
Toughest PhD Specialisations	Engineering Technology Sciences Medicine Business
Top Universities for PhD Abroad	University of Cambridge Yale University Stanford University Cornell University New York University
Admission Requirements	Master’s / M.Phil + GRE + TOEFL/IELTS + Research Project approval + Written Test & Interview
Scope	Research opportunities, international networking, funding for projects
Career Prospects	Lecturer Researcher Scientist Consulting Education & Training
Average Salary After Graduation	USD 70,000 - USD 80,000

Check: 

• How to Apply for PhD Abroad in 2025
• Top PhD Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

What Makes a Degree Hard to Study?

There are various parameters which make a degree harder to study. However, there will still be reasons that vary from person to person. So why are the hardest degrees challenging? Let us discuss in the section below:

• Degrees that come with a rigorous course curriculum are usually the hardest.
• Some of the hardest degrees in the world are longer than the traditional duration, which makes students work harder and study longer to complete their degree programs.
• Intense curriculum, high-level research and technical study aspects also make degrees tough. 
• Then, a regular exam-semester, tri-semester, or even annual ones also challenge students to keep their studies upbeat to crack the hardest degrees in one go. 
• Finally, technical degrees such as medical degrees, engineering degrees, law degrees, or CA degrees are also challenging because they have a high academic workload and complex study patterns.

Thus, these factors together make some of the toughest degrees harder by nature. As already mentioned, the frequency of tough can vary person to person and in different contexts. 

How to Choose the Right Hardest Degree in the World for Study

Choosing a degree to study comes with different options, challenges and most importantly the destination of study. So if students know they want to study one of the hardest degree in the world, here is how to make a choice:

1. Follow your love or passion for the degree or subject. Unless you have a keen interest, you will not stay in that program for long.
2. Understand the key challenges and identify the best possible specialisation that will yield benefits later on.
3. Choose an appropriate university and study destination so that other miscellaneous or external factors do not become a reason for not completing your education.
4. Finally, discuss with peers and seniors to understand the workload and whether you can handle it or not.

In case you need help, you can also sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling. 

Tips to Crack Toughest Degrees While Studying Abroad 

Those who have decided to pursue the hardest degrees in the world would need some tips to crack their individual programs.