India is one of the most populous countries in the world. Over 1,200,000 students from India pursue their higher studies abroad every year. This increases the competition for a lot of popular courses overseas, making them more difficult to get into. Some courses in particular are considered some of the hardest programs in the world. In this blog, we will discuss the details of the top 10 toughest courses in the world in 2025.
Highlights
- Factors to Determine Toughest Courses: Curriculum, subject depth, assessment and grading
- Toughest Courses in the World: Medicine, Engineering, Neuroscience, Statistics, Quantum Mechanics
- Countries with Toughest Education Systems: South Korea, China, India, Japan
If you’re always ready to take up a challenge and you’re aiming to study one of the toughest courses in the world at a top school abroad, Yocket is here for you! Our Premium feature offers expert counseling and help with all aspects of your study abroad journey. Sign up for Yocket Premium today!
| Table of Contents |
Significance of the Toughest Courses in the World in 2025
The point of a course being tough is to challenge you to test your limits and expand your horizons. It prepares you for far greater challenges ahead. Here is why the toughest courses in the world are more important than you may think.
- They help increase your dedication and perseverance to surge ahead despite the difficulty of the curriculum.
- They improve your concentration and mental capacity.
- They often lead to rewarding career paths and lucrative research opportunities in the future.
Factors to Determine the Difficulty Level of a Course
How do you decide if a course is challenging? Some factors help us understand how difficult a certain subject or program can be. Here are some of them.
- The depth of the subject matter
- The academic level of the curriculum
- The difficulty of the course evaluation and the stringency of its grading
- The acceptance rate of the course at prestigious universities
Top 10 Toughest Courses in the World
Given below are the world’s most challenging courses in 2025, as unanimously considered by most prestigious universities and academic experts.
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Statistics
- Law
- Quantum Mechanics
- Chartered Accountancy
- Architecture
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
-
Medicine
The field of medicine is highly competitive and academically rigorous. There are very limited seats available at medical schools, and the number of applicants is significantly higher. Here is all you need to know about this course.
|
Course |
Medicine |
|
Top Universities |
Stanford University, Oxford University, Cambridge University |
|
Dropout Rate |
18.4% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹28,160,000 |
Job Opportunities in Medicine
Here are some beneficial career profiles you can consider exploring after studying medicine and completing a degree in the medical field.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Internal Medicine Physician |
₹20,480,000 |
|
Neuroscientist |
₹27,600,000 |
|
Paediatrician |
₹18,000,000 |
|
Optometrist |
₹11,520,000 |
|
Dentist |
₹14,080,000 |
-
Engineering
Engineering is another extremely rigorous and challenging course with a lot of technical foundations and conceptual applications. Given below are the details about this course.
|
Course |
Engineering |
|
Top Universities |
Stanford University, Cambridge University |
|
Dropout Rate |
60% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹6,480,000 |
Job Opportunities in Engineering
There are several career paths available after completing an engineering degree. You can choose to specialize in a variety of sectors like chemical engineering, electrical engineering, etc. Here are some popular job profiles after an engineering degree.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|
Petroleum Engineer |
₹11,017,600 |
|
Architectural Manager |
₹10,778,400 |
|
Natural Science Manager |
₹10,258,400 |
|
Chemical Engineer |
₹8,701,600 |
|
Computer Hardware Engineer |
₹9,377,600 |
-
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is one of the hardest courses in the world. It studies the brain and its functions and is one of the most demanding and competitive programs in the world. Below you can find more information.
|
Course |
Neuroscience |
|
Top Universities |
MIT, Oxford University, ETH Zurich |
|
Dropout Rate |
53% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹83,00,000 |
Job Opportunities in Neuroscience
Neuroscience opens doors to a wide range of career prospects after a master’s degree. You can choose to continue in the research sector or explore other lucrative jobs in this field. Some popular ones are given below.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Neurosurgeon |
₹5,86,81,000 |
|
Neurologist |
₹4,47,37,000 |
|
Psychiatrist |
₹1,72,64,000 |
|
Neuropsychologist |
₹1,55,21,000 |
|
Neurorehabilitation Specialist |
₹80,51,000 |
-
Statistics
Statistics involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. It can be extremely tricky and requires you to gain expert knowledge in several key technical areas. Here’s more information about this course.
|
Course |
Statistics |
|
Top Universities |
MIT, Stanford University, Harvard University |
|
Dropout Rate |
5.2% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹7,996,800 |
Job Opportunities in Statistics
Statistics finds applications in numerous sectors and industries. If you study statistics, you have a chance to secure a high-paying job in a wide range of established companies, exciting startups, and other organizations. Here are some career trajectories you can consider after a Statistics degree.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Analyst |
₹11,200,000 |
|
Data Scientist |
₹10,720,000 |
|
Statistician |
₹8,640,000 |
|
Operations Research Analyst |
₹7,840,000 |
|
Actuarial Analyst |
₹7,360,000 |
-
Law
Law is another demanding program that requires you to devote time, effort, and dedication for years to establish yourself comfortably in the legal profession. Law is highly competitive, and below you can find more information about it.
|
Course |
Law |
|
Top Universities |
Yale University, Columbia University, Harvard University |
|
Dropout Rate |
38% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹10,859,200 |
Job Opportunities in Law
After completing a Law degree, you can obtain a license to practise law in a variety of roles- be it as a corporate lawyer, divorce attorney, intellectual property lawyer, or more. Here are some lucrative career roles you can take up after a Law degree.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Intellectual Property Lawyer |
₹15,680,000 |
|
Corporate Lawyer |
₹14,720,000 |
|
Tax Attorney |
₹14,240,000 |
|
Patent Attorney |
₹13,600,000 |
|
Contract Lawyer |
₹12,480,000 |
-
Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Physics studies the behaviour and nature of particles at the subatomic level. It is a very demanding and highly rigorous field of physics. Below you can read about its details.
|
Course |
Quantum Mechanics |
|
Top Universities |
MIT, Stanford University, Oxford University |
|
Dropout Rate |
7% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹15,020,080 |
Job Opportunities in Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics opens doors to a previously undiscovered world of opportunities. After studying this subject, you can continue your research in many areas that require applications of Quantum Mechanics. Some of these innovative roles are given below.
|
Job Title |
Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Quantum Physicist |
₹18,160,000 |
|
Quantum Computing Researcher |
₹20,000,000 |
|
Quantum Algorithm Developer |
₹16,080,000 |
|
Quantum Software Engineer |
₹15,760,000 |
|
Quantum Cryptographer |
₹14,560,000 |
-
Chartered Accountancy
Chartered Accountancy is one of the most difficult courses you can study globally in 2025. Multiple lakhs of students appear for the highly selective CA entrance examinations, yet only a small percentage manage to crack them. Below you can find more information about this course.
|
Course |
Chartered Accountancy |
|
Top Universities |
MIT, Stanford University, Harvard University |
|
Dropout Rate |
54% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹10,720,000 |
Job Opportunities in Chartered Accountancy
After obtaining a challenging degree in Chartered Accountancy, you will be in demand in the finance sector. Several high-paying and lucrative career opportunities are available with a degree in this subject, some of which are given below.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
₹31,120,000 |
|
Vice President of Finance |
₹17,840,000 |
|
Finance Director |
₹11,840,000 |
|
Tax Manager |
₹10,160,000 |
|
Financial Controller |
₹9,280,000 |
-
Architecture
Architecture is a highly demanding and selective program, requiring you to complete challenging projects and designs. It combines elements of both art and science. Given below are its details.
|
Course |
Architecture |
|
Top Universities |
MIT, UCL, Manchester School of Architecture |
|
Dropout Rate |
45% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹5,920,000 |
Job Opportunities in Architecture
If you are interested in studying Architecture but confused about its job prospects, you’ve come to the right place! Architecture degrees open doors to a wide range of careers in design, architecture, and structure modeling. Here are some of them.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Architectural Manager |
₹10,778,400 |
|
Principal Architect |
₹9,200,000 |
|
Senior Architect |
₹7,680,000 |
|
Project Architect |
₹6,720,000 |
|
Interior Designer |
₹4,480,000 |
-
Pharmacy
Pharmacy includes courses in chemistry, pharmacology, biology, and clinical practice. It is highly challenging and is considered one of the toughest courses in the world. Below are its details.
|
Course |
Pharmacy |
|
Top Universities |
University of Toronto, UCL, Oxford University |
|
Dropout Rate |
14.6% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹10,725,760 |
Job Opportunities in Pharmacy
A degree in Pharmacy gives you the chance to pursue a fulfilling career in a variety of roles in the healthcare industry, be it as a pharmacist manager, a researcher, or other roles. Some of these exciting careers are given below.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Pharmacist Manager |
₹12,160,000 |
|
Nuclear Pharmacist |
₹11,520,000 |
|
Pharmacist Researcher |
₹11,040,000 |
|
Pharmacist Consultant |
₹10,960,000 |
|
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative |
₹10,400,000 |
-
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the human psyche, brain, and cognitive behaviour. It is a complex course and can be highly challenging and selective. There are hundreds of thousands of students enrolled in Psychology programs in the USA alone. Given below are its details.
|
Course |
Psychology |
|
Top Universities |
Harvard University, UCL, Oxford University |
|
Dropout Rate |
45% |
|
Average Annual Salary |
₹13,360,000 |
Job Opportunities in Psychology
After studying psychology, you can reap its benefits in numerous industries. You can choose to explore careers in sports psychology, clinical psychology, criminal psychology, mental health services, etc. Some popular careers are listed below.
|
Job Title |
Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
|
Neuropsychologist |
₹18,000,000 |
|
Clinical Psychologist |
₹14,320,000 |
|
Forensic Psychologist |
₹13,360,000 |
|
Sports Psychologist |
₹12,880,000 |
|
Counselling Psychologist |
₹12,480,000 |
Suggested: Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
Toughest Specializations in the World in 2025
Often, study courses have various particular specializations, allowing you to focus on only one topic within the umbrella of that course with great detail and emphasis. Given below are some course specializations that are considered the toughest in the world.
|
Course |
Toughest Specializations |
|---|---|
|
Medicine |
Cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, transplant surgery, oncology, nursing |
|
Engineering |
Aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering |
|
Law |
Criminology, corporate law, human rights law, tax law |
|
Physics |
Quantum mechanics, astrophysics, cosmology, statistical mechanics |
Countries with Toughest Education Systems
Often, the education system of a country is also a huge determinant of the quality and difficulty of the courses offered by the universities in that country. There are some countries with more difficult education systems that are heavily reliant on technical and conceptual knowledge. You can find some of these countries below.
- China
- South Korea
- India
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- Finland
- USA
- UK
From the Desk of Yocket
It can be daunting to study a course that is considered to be one of the toughest in the world. It can be even more intimidating to want to study it, knowing its difficulty level. But don’t worry, armed with your dedication, perseverance, and complete knowledge of the course details, you can get admitted to your dream schools for any of these courses!
At Yocket, we are committed to helping you achieve your overseas study dreams. Our counselors are expertly trained to provide the excellent professional help you’ve been looking for all this while. Schedule a FREE call with us today!
