The Hardest Degrees with the Toughest Exams

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A young female student studies for her exams in a university library.

University can be one of the most fun-packed times of your life, even for those studying the hardest degrees. With opportunities to make new friends and study your favourite subjects, students can make countless memories. However, there’s one part of university that we all know is less exciting: the exams!

Whether you’re thinking about pursuing a challenging career or simply weighing up your subject options, it’s important to know what your course exams may look like. To help you choose, we’ve rounded up the hardest degrees with the toughest exams.

A young male student reviews a folder of notes at university.

List of the Hardest Degrees with Difficult Exams

Choosing a university degree always feels like a tough decision, even if you have a specific career in mind. If you’re considering one of the hardest degrees, it’s important to get the full picture before you decide which is right for you. Let’s get into it!

Medicine

Without a doubt, one of the most difficult degrees is Medicine, with the course blending classroom-based learning with practical placements over five years. What makes Medicine one of the hardest degrees is the sheer amount of information to remember, as well as the pressure of dealing with real patients from your third year.

Here’s a typical exam structure:

First year: written exams, anatomy spotter exams, histology exams, and basic Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).
Second year: reasoning-based written exams, pharmacology exams, intermediate OSCEs, and case-based tests.
Third year: clinical written papers, major OSCEs, placement assessments, and long case or short case exams (students must perform a comprehensive exam of a patient or undergo rapid-fire encounters with several patients).
Fourth year: advanced written papers, advanced OSCEs, prescribing assessments, and portfolio assessments.
Fifth year: final written exams, final OSCEs, Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA), and assistantship assessments to determine if you are safe enough to become a doctor.

You must pass all elements separately, and there are strict rules on resits. While Medicine may be considered the hardest degree in the world, it can be one of the most rewarding and stable careers.

Law

Law certainly makes the list of the hardest degrees! Students must have a strong grasp of critical thinking, logical reasoning, and the ability to build strong arguments. Students are taught how to analyse legal problems, interpret cases, and write persuasively. The amount of required reading and new terminology can be overwhelming, and it’s very difficult to achieve top grades.

Here’s what you can expect from your Law degree exams:

First year: problem questions with fictional scenarios, essay questions to examine legal ideas, and coursework essays.
Second year: advanced problem questions on legal uncertainties, in addition to analytical essays and timed written exams with 3–4 major questions.
Third year: specialist problem questions across several areas (think medical, corporate, or international law), high-level essay questions, a dissertation, and often open-book exams.

While Law is certainly challenging, it can be incredibly fulfilling. As well as letting you hone valuable skills, Law opens the door to plenty of career options (and believe us, the paycheck makes those years of studying totally worth it, too).

A small ornament of Lady Justice rests beside a textbook and hammer to represent the subject of Law.

Aerospace Engineering

You may be wondering, “What’s the hardest engineering course?” Introducing Aerospace Engineering! Known as one of the hardest degrees in the world, it requires a great deal of dedication, problem-solving skills, and a strong command of maths and physics.

Exams are calculation-heavy and ask you to apply maths and physics to real-world problems. Here’s what you can expect:

First year: complex maths, mechanics, physics, and programming exams, as well as lab reports and project coursework.
Second year: aerodynamics exams, thermodynamics exams, and more, with lab reports and project coursework.
Third year: advanced aerodynamics exams, aircraft design exams, and others, as well as the final-year dissertation and group project.

If you’re passionate about aviation or space exploration, Aerospace Engineering is definitely worth considering. It may be one of the hardest university degrees, but professionals tend to progress quickly, earn high salaries, and have the opportunity to work on the newest technologies.

Accounting

A degree in Accounting is known to be challenging, with the curriculum mixing business strategy, economics, and law. While not the hardest degree to study, you must have strong logic and attention to detail as you learn to record transactions, analyse costs, make strategic decisions, and more.

Exams are practical, with students studying scenarios, completing balance sheets, and writing essays.

First year: introductory subject exams across economics, business law, and others, in addition to trial balances, financial statement preparation, and basic bookkeeping.
Second year: written exams covering budgeting, costing methods, tax computations, data interpretation, and more.
Third year: open-book ‘case study exams’, long essays, reports, and several timed assessments.

Despite being one of the most difficult degrees, Accounting is a stable profession and lets you pursue further qualifications. For those looking to become chartered accountants, the path is intense, but typical salaries can make it worth it!

A student's hand writes notes at a desk by a book and a mug of coffee.

Architecture

Architecture is undoubtedly one of the hardest degrees with the subject’s blend of art, science, and problem-solving. Students tend to find the hours long and tiring as they tackle design projects in workshops. If you’re not used to criticism, presenting designs to professors can also be stressful.

Exams are portfolio-heavy but also include presentations and written work.

First year: timed written exams, hand-drawn studio assessments, portfolio submissions, essay coursework, and in-person design critiques.
Second year: open-book and written exams, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) submissions, portfolio reviews, group presentations, and more.
Third year: final design portfolio submission, assessed presentations, a dissertation, written exams, coursework, and design critiques from a professional panel.

Architecture is certainly one of the toughest university degrees (and for good reason)! However, if you have a deep creative passion and don’t mind the long hours, this is certainly a degree to consider.

Biomedical Engineering

Students studying Biomedical Engineering combine engineering with biology and medicine, making it one of the hardest degrees in STEM. Students tackle complex maths and physics alongside human anatomy and medical technology.

With a combination of written papers, lab reports, and coding assessments, exams are varied and challenging. Here’s their typical structure:

First year: written exams on calculus, physics, and biology, in addition to lab reports and coding assignments.
Second year: written theory exams and hardware or software-based assessments involving building and coding.
Third year: advanced written exams, the major group project or individual research project, with the final prototypes, project reports, and presentations assessed.
Fourth year: the final grade often rests heavily on the final project, alongside presentations and defences of your thesis.

Despite being difficult, Biomedical Engineering can be very fulfilling; you’ll get the opportunity to advance in the medical sector, all while working on life-saving technology.

Mathematics

You won’t be surprised to see Maths in the list of most difficult degrees! Over three or four years, students focus on proofs and abstract concepts across algebra, geometry, and number theory. The shift from A-Level Maths can feel sudden as it’s less about calculations, though it isn’t uncommon to spend hours on one problem at university!

Exams in Mathematics test how you can understand abstract concepts and apply theorems to problems you’ve never seen before. Here’s what they tend to look like:

First year: closed-book written exams spanning two to three hours.
Second year: longer written exams focused on proofs and theoretical problem-solving.
Third year: extended essays, presentations, and a dissertation.

It may be one of the hardest degrees, but Mathematics is one of the most respected subjects, opening doors to several industries, like tech, finance, and data. If you’re fascinated by the theoretical side of maths, this might be the one for you.

A young male student in a red beanie completes complex calculations on a chalkboard.

Physics

Known as one of the toughest university degrees, Physics combines advanced maths, abstract theory, problem-solving, and intense exams. Students study everything from motion and electricity to quantum mechanics and particle physics!

Unsurprisingly, this degree can be demanding, with exams varying across written papers, laboratory assessments, and computer programming.

First year: written papers, introductory maths exams, practical laboratory assessments, lab reports, data analysis, multiple-choice tests, and more.
Second year: longer written exams, advanced maths tests, theory-heavy exams on electromagnetism and quantum physics, in addition to detailed lab reports and other tests.
Third year: complex written papers, advanced theoretical exams, independent research or a dissertation, computational projects, presentations, and further assessments.

If you love solving problems and have strong maths skills, a Physics degree can be very rewarding if you want to keep your career options open.

Astrophysics

You may be asking, “Is Astrophysics hard?” The answer is a definite yes! Astrophysics is considered one of the hardest degrees due to its intense mix of mathematics and abstract problem-solving. While studying stars and planetary systems, students also develop computational and data-analysis skills.

It’s highly mathematical and research-focused, with difficult exams that test theoretical understanding and calculations.

First year: core physics written papers, maths exams, basic astrophysics and cosmology assessments, and practical laboratory work.
Second year: longer written exams, assessments on stellar physics and thermodynamics, as well as theory papers on planetary systems, telescope data analysis, and further tests.
Third year: advanced written papers, complex problem questions, coding and research projects, presentations, and others. As well as conducting extensive research, having a strong grasp of referencing methods is a must.

Despite being one of the most difficult degrees, students curious about the universe can find it fascinating and fulfilling. Plus, employers in tech, finance, and engineering value coding and problem-solving skills, so there are various opportunities upon graduating, depending on your goals.

An impressive picture of the Milky Way galaxy, coloured purple and gold.

Chemistry

For a Chemistry degree, you’ll need strong memorisation, problem-solving, and practical skills as you study the various kinds of chemistry and learn how substances behave at both atomic and molecular levels.

Like a lot of the hardest degrees out there, exams are varied, challenging, and designed to test different skills.

First year: written papers, introductory maths exams, practical lab assessments, and data analysis.
Second year: longer written exams, advanced tests on physical chemistry, group projects, presentations, and others.
Third year: advanced written papers, a dissertation, scientific presentations, computational chemistry, and more.

Chemists are always needed to support public health, making it a stable profession. A degree in Chemistry is also highly transferable, so it’s a great option if you don’t have a specific job in mind.

Computer Science

You may have already come across Computer Science when researching the hardest degrees. The challenging syllabus combines maths, programming, and theoretical concepts, as students study algorithms, software development, cybersecurity, and more.

Take a look at a typical exam structure below:

First year: written papers, introductory programming exams, programming assignments, group projects, and others.
Second year: long written exams, algorithm tests, software engineering coursework, practical tests, and more.
Third year: advanced written papers, a dissertation, open-ended coding tests, and various other assessments.

If you have a knack for computers and logic, this degree is one to consider. Although competitive, there’s a strong demand for jobs, and professionals in the field tend to earn high salaries. When it comes to standing out in the crowd, a strong cover letter can work wonders.

A student's hand circles an answer on a multiple-choice test at university.

Economics

Economics is often considered one of the most difficult degrees with its combination of mathematical analysis, statistics, and data interpretation. Over the course, you’ll look at microeconomics, financial systems, and global markets, while learning how to analyse economic behaviour and decision-making.

Here’s what the exam process can look like:

First year: written papers on core principles, introductory maths exams, data interpretation tests, coursework essays, and group presentations.
Second year: longer written exams, intermediate microeconomics papers, case study questions, and coursework.
Third year: advanced written papers, econometrics projects using real data, a dissertation or independent research assignment, and other tests.

It may be one of the hardest degrees, but it’s very transferable. It can be great preparation if you’re looking at careers in finance, government, or data science, and professionals tend to be high earners.

Veterinary Medicine

Among the hardest university degrees is Veterinary Medicine. If you study this, you’ll learn about animal anatomy, diseases, surgery, and more, all while gaining medical and diagnostic skills. In addition to the heavy workload, the emotional pressure can be challenging.

Exams are frequent and difficult, spanning practical assessments and clinical evaluations.

First year: written papers on biological and veterinary sciences, anatomy and physiology exams, practical laboratory tests, coursework essays, and others.
Second year: longer written exams across pathology and microbiology, in addition to practical anatomy exams, practical laboratory assessments, group projects, and more.
Third year: advanced papers, clinical reasoning exams, case study analysis, scientific reports, problem-solving scenarios, and further tests.

For those with a deep passion for animal welfare, pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine can feel like the right path. The hours can be long, but the industry offers job stability and emotional fulfilment.

A female student holds a cat still as she practises veterinary medicine.

Dentistry

Dentistry has to make the list of the hardest degrees; renowned for being one of the toughest healthcare subjects, it combines scientific learning with practical training. This course consists of studying anatomy, oral diseases, surgery, and more, while developing technical skills for dental procedures.

To give you a taste of Dentistry exams, see a typical structure below:

First year: written papers on biomedical and dental sciences, anatomy assessments, oral biology exams, multiple-choice tests, group projects, and more.
Second year: practical assessments, longer written exams, coursework reports, presentations, and simulated patient-care tests.
Third year: advanced written papers, practical tests on fillings and restorations, supervised placement evaluations, coursework, and others.

Oral health is always a necessity, making the dentistry industry a safe option (despite being one of the toughest university degrees!) Those in the field tend to earn high salaries, but it can be emotionally and physically challenging, too. If you’re passionate about helping people, it’s definitely one to check out.

Pharmacy

Last but not least, Pharmacy easily takes its place among the hardest university degrees. With a blend of advanced science, medicine, chemistry, and patient care, students study how medicines are developed, prescribed, and used safely, as well as learning about human biology and disease treatment.

Curious about the exam structure? Here’s what you can expect:

First year: written papers on pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, chemistry assessments, calculation tests, multiple-choice tests, lab reports, and others.
Second year: advanced pharmaceutical calculations exams, longer written papers, case-based tests, coursework, and presentations.
Third year: advanced clinical pharmacy papers, prescription analysis, practical laboratory tests, reports, and further exams.
Fourth year: advanced clinical competency exams, scenario assessments, OSCEs in patient communication, practical dispensing tasks, presentations, and a dissertation, among other assessments.

As with all the hardest degrees, a career in this field can be very rewarding, depending on your goals for the future. Pharmacy is well-respected, and graduates have plenty of transferable skills to take forward.

Deciding to Pursue a Challenging Degree

So, there you have it. Studying the hardest degrees can be emotionally challenging with intense workloads and difficult exams. However, the harder the course, the more rewarding and fulfilling your long-term career will likely be. Here are some top tips on making that all-important decision!

Proud of her achievements, a successful graduate sits beside a lake in her cap and gown.

Assess Your Long-Term Goals

If you already have long-term goals in mind, it can be helpful to map out a plan with specific and realistic actions. Think about why you want to achieve these milestones and what qualifications you need to get there. Breaking up your goals into smaller steps can make a huge difference when deciding to take on one of the hardest degrees.

Watch Past Lectures Online

A great way to get a taste of the hardest degrees is to watch past lectures online. Search up your university subject of choice and try to picture yourself in the lecture theatre. Lectures make up a significant part of university life, so it’s important to get a feel for how the subject is taught.

Try Sample Questions

Giving sample questions a go is a great way to test whether a challenging degree is right for you. Don’t be put off if they’re too difficult at first; tutors and learning materials are there to support you on the course, especially for the hardest university degrees! (Study tips like the Pomodoro technique can also be a student life-saver when it comes to revising or working on a complex problem.)

Look at the Day-to-Day Structure

Looking at how the course is spread across the week can be really helpful when deciding whether to take on one of the hardest degrees. If you get the chance to speak to current students or tutors about a typical week, go for it!

Accept There Will Be Stressful Times

Let’s face it. Studying the hardest university degrees will be stressful, tiring, and, at times, upsetting. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from university staff or meet up with coursemates for support. When the going gets tough, keep your long-term goals in mind and show yourself compassion.

Remain Confident

It can be difficult to keep your cool when dealing with a tough week at university. Remember you are more than capable and that it would honestly be weird if you didn’t struggle with one of the hardest degrees in the world! Seek support when you need it, and know that you’ve got this!

Two laughing female students walk together, carrying textbooks.

FAQs for the Hardest Degrees with the Toughest Exams

After reading about the hardest degrees to study, you may have more questions than ever! Here are the most common questions surrounding the most difficult degrees and exams.

What is the Hardest Degree in the World?

There isn’t a ‘hardest degree’ in the world as such, because this would depend on your own strengths, interests, and ability to handle intense workloads. However, Medicine, Engineering, and Architecture are commonly up there as some of the hardest degrees.

What is the UCAT?

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions exam used by universities to select students for competitive medical and dental courses.

What is the UCAT out of?

UCAT scores are out of 2,700.

What is the LNAT?

The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) is used by many top UK universities to select students for undergraduate Law degrees.

What is the Hardest Science?

While there isn’t one hardest science, Physics, Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering degrees are known to be very challenging.

What is the Hardest Engineering Course?

Aerospace, Electrical, Chemical, and Nuclear Engineering are all strong contenders for the hardest engineering course, but it totally depends on your abilities and passion for the subject.

What is the ACA?

The Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) certification is a highly respected, professional qualification for chartered accountants.

How Hard is the ACA?

ACA is known to be challenging, as students taking it must pass 15 exams and work full-time. While it can be hard to balance the workload, it’s also considered to be highly achievable.

What is the Hardest Math Subject?

There are a number of hard maths subjects at university, including Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, and Topology.

A Safe Place to Live, Study, and Relax

Deciding which degree to study is never easy. If you choose one of the hardest degrees, remember to study effectively, seek support where you can, and know your future self will be cheering you on.

Whichever degree you choose, you need a safe and comfortable base to focus and thrive. At Now Student Living, we offer all-inclusive, cosy, and contemporary accommodation with relaxing study spaces. Choosing private student accommodation takes the extra stress away from student living, allowing you to focus on what matters. When you’re ready to take the next step, book your private student accommodation with Now Student Living.