Learn about the hardest degree in Guinness World Record!

Introduction hardest degree in record books

You may have heard or seen people claiming that “X is the hardest degree in Guinness world record.” It may seem legitimate, and although the trend eventually dies down, it may pop up again from time to time.

Is there any truth to the claim? Has Guinness ever awarded an official record for this category? If not Guinness, are there any other companies or organizations that state one degree is the hardest of them all? Keep scrolling to know it all!

Is there a hardest degree in the Guinness world record?

From our research of the official Guinness World Records website, there is no such record awarded for the hardest degrees. As a company, Guinness World Records maintains an objective perspective. The subject of something being the hardest degree in the world record is too subjective to consider as a category. 

The idea that Guinness World Records has awarded ‘X degree’ as the winner for being the most challenging stems from social media. It is believed that there was a trend at Facebook, with people stating something along the lines of:

“Bachelor in Nursing has been chosen by the Guinness Book of World Records as the hardest degree and won against other types of degrees for the year 2018″

In this example, people have substituted Bachelor in Nursing for various other Bachelor’s degrees and invited their peers to post similar things on their profiles. 

But, the truth is entirely different. Guinness World Records does not (and from our research has never) offered any record for this category. And if you think critically for a moment, even if someone wanted to make this record official, it would be impossible for anyone to agree with the results. 

Does anyone agree on the hardest degree in the world?

Guinness World Records does not have any such record; does that mean we can’t agree on a winner? Do any other authoritative sources make any claims in this department? 

Unfortunately, the same logic applies here too. No organization would attempt to state that any particular degree is the hardest of all in the world. It is not possible to factually make this claim. One person may find physics exceptionally tough, while others breeze through that course. Another person may find technical degrees like Doctor of Medicine easy to go through but may feel a degree in English Literature is insurmountable. 

Human beings are different, and everyone is unique. In general, we can say something is universally tough if it affects most humans on a somewhat similar level. For example, if a bachelor’s degree takes three years to complete and consists of only classwork and projects, it may be considered easier than a degree that requires an internship, practical training, and long hours. 

What do most people consider tough degrees?

Before we get into any list, here is a disclaimer: this list is not and cannot be absolute or objective. These are just degrees that many people assume or think are tough to complete for various reasons. In other words, there is a higher chance that if you pursue these degrees, you may have a hard time. But there is still a possibility that you may find any or all of them manageable and not as hard as others consider them. 

 

1. Medicine

Many people aspire to become a doctor. There is a certain nobility and service in this career. People consider it one of the hardest degrees because it involves a lot of studying, memorizing, writing tests, etc. Medical students must not only have a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and anatomy but must also develop a deep understanding of various medical specialties, such as cardiology, neurology, and oncology.

Doctors need to emotionally manage themselves and their patients, and they must be able to handle stressful situations. Not to forget, they need to dedicate many years of their life to becoming a doctor. The initial phase usually involves 4-5 years of study, followed by a few years of training in clinical situations, and then three-four years of training. The sheer amount of time, energy, effort, and motivation required to complete a degree in medicine makes it one of the hardest degrees in the world to study. 

2. Physics

Physics is a subject that requires a factual, provable answer, similar to maths. It demands a high level of mathematical proficiency, as students must understand and apply concepts such as calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra. Additionally, physics often involves dealing with theoretical concepts that are difficult to visualize or conceptualize. The curriculum also covers a vast range of topics, including classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and relativity, which require students to develop a deep understanding of complex theories and principles.

Physics is the field of study dedicated to understanding everything from subatomic particles to the entire universe. Whether you become a quantum physicist and study what lies at the bottom of matter or choose astrophysics to learn about the universe, it will be tough. Physics can be incredibly interesting (everyone loves to learn about black holes). But there is a lot of mathematics, logic, theory, and formulas to learn. In physics, you need to know why the answer is what it is, not just what the correct answer is. 

3. Nursing

While the previous two were obvious choices, many people consider a bachelor’s degree in Nursing as one of the toughest. Nursing students must learn not only the fundamental principles of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology but also develop practical skills in patient care, such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and performing diagnostic tests.

With hours of practical, real-world training, many tests, and study material, it might get difficult for students to get through it. Nursing students have to go through clinical shifts, lab training, lectures, and exams throughout their degrees. There is a lot of stress, emotional demand, and even physical exhaustion associated with this calling. Therefore, Nursing school is challenging for many people. 

4. Other sciences

Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Science, Neuroscience, etc., are all considered tough degrees. These all have one thing in common, the subject matter at hand involves a lot of dedication to study well. These sciences focus on many sub-topics, and students need to be proficient in all. 

Should you attempt a hard degree?

Well, only you can answer this question. You may find that physics and its formulas come naturally to you. But you won’t know unless you try, and for most people, we only get to try once. So how will you know if a degree you want to attempt is too tough for you? 

You may not be able to fully assess any degree till you try it, but you can still get a rough idea. Start by researching your chosen degree, find question papers and textbooks, and read through them. Watch educational videos and talk to people who are already doing that degree. All these can help you get an idea about the challenge each degree poses and whether you can handle it.

What’s next?

With hard work, patience, and help from others, most people can get through their degrees eventually. Although there may not be any real ‘hardest degree in the Guinness World Record’, you may find yourself experiencing your current degree as too hard for you. In that case, reach out to people for assurance and guidance. And even though we made a list above, keep in mind that everybody will have their perspective on the hardest or easiest degree. 

That’s all we have for you in this blog! If you have any questions/suggestions, drop a comment or Contact us

FAQs

Q1. Does Guinness World Records have an official category for the hardest degree?

Answer- No, as per the company’s official website, there does not seem to be any reference to the hardest degree record. The idea for this record was probably created and spread via social media, with posts falsely claiming a Guinness world record for the hardest degree. 

Q2. Is Physics harder than Medicine?

Answer- Physics does not require cramming the curriculum but is more focused on deriving conclusions based on first principles. On the other hand, medicine does not require too much deriving or step-by-step calculations but many things to memorize. Either may be tougher than the other; it depends on the individual, their learning environment, and other factors. 

Q3. What degree takes the longest?

Answer- Medicine and research degrees like a Ph.D. usually last the longest. Becoming a doctor may last between 6 to 10+ years, while many science PhDs can also last that long.