In layman’s terms, engineering refers to the construction, creativity & implementation of structures, machines, and processes using important concepts & principles of maths and science. While understanding the essence of engineering might be easier in simpler terms, cracking the code when you study it is a different game altogether. Engineers are some of the smartest people in the world, with many of them entering the limelight in pop culture (think Tony Stark with his badass creations, Hulkbuster, anyone?). This begs us with questions like, what is the hardest engineering course, and why should one choose the hardest engineering courses? We will be answering all these questions for you in this blog, exploring the tough engineering courses to get into. Now, let’s get started with engineering!
Why Choose the Toughest Engineering Branch?
Engineering programs are infamous for crushing course loads that push students to their intellectual and time-management limits. While many undergraduates stick to the standard curriculum laid out by their major, a bold subset choose to take on the most notoriously difficult engineering courses their departments offer. However, why voluntarily subject oneself to such rigour and adversity? Because some of the toughest engineering courses are the most demanding engineering fields in future 2050! As we overview some of the most difficult engineering courses in the world in this blog, it’s worth examining the key reasons students may choose to take on these intimidating academic challenges:
1. Readiness to Lead in Innovative Areas
The most punishing and toughest engineering courses often provide critical foundations for the most complex and rapidly advancing subfields of the discipline. As a result, students equip themselves with the background needed to understand cutting-edge research or work in intensely innovative engineering environments after graduation.
2. Demonstrating Academic Courage
This aspect refers to tackling the world's hardest engineering degree despite the risk of failure and the immense intellectual effort required. An exceptional undergraduate transcript peppered with some of the most notoriously difficult engineering course titles communicates an engineering student’s exceptional work ethic, intellectual horsepower, and technical versatility.
3. Personal Challenge and Achievement
For some engineering students, there is also an element of personal challenge and a sense of achievement associated with successfully conquering one of the hardest engineering subjects. You can push yourself to new levels of critical thinking and problem-solving skills while accomplishing the most difficult engineering branch.
Top 8 Hardest Engineering Courses
Determining the hardest engineering courses is certainly subjective and depends on individual strengths and interests. That said, there are select classes across different types of engineering courses that have rightfully earned reputations for pushing students to their academic and time management limits. Below are the top 8 hardest engineering courses students will encounter:
1. Aerospace Engineering
Potential Jobs: Design Engineer, Aircraft Mechanic, Flight Test Engineer, Aviation Manager
Average Salary: $110,000 - $150,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 3-4 years UG, 1-2 years PG
Top Schools: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Georgia Institute of Technology
Have you always been fascinated by the aeroplanes that soar through the skies daily? Have you ever wondered what goes behind the creation of metallic tubes that can glide in the air? Or did you find yourself fawning over the architecture of a Boeing? If you answered “yes” to all these questions, then the toughest engineering branch in the world - aerospace engineering - might be your calling. Though it is the hardest engineering major, there is a 7% job growth for aerospace engineers between 2022 and 2032. While or after graduating the toughest engineering branch, they tend to be really interested and often find themselves grappling with the aircraft industry in one way or the other.
2. Chemical Engineering
Potential Jobs: Chemical Engineer, Energy Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, Petroleum Engineer
Average Salary: $90,000 - $120,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 4 years UG, 1-2 years PG
Top Schools: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California
Chemical engineers are essentially tasked with creating systems that are able to produce refined products from raw materials. As one of the top 5 hardest engineering courses, chemical engineering usually deals with the construction of tools and design of industry plants and focuses on formulating ways to improve on them. It is often considered the toughest engineering branch and is perfect for those who have always been curious about how chemical plants and manufacturing tools work and are constructed. Chemical engineers are undoubtedly compensated well for their hard work and have a great reputation for having completed one of the hardest engineering courses.
3. Computer Engineering
Potential Jobs: Web Developer, Computer Programmer, Technical Support Specialist, Data Analyst/Scientist
Average Salary: $85,000 - $110,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 4 years UG, 1-2 years PG
Top Schools: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Cornell University, and Carnegie Mellon University
Thinking of creating the next big app that everybody uses on the go? Interested in knowing the know-how behind how various software and applications function? Well, computer engineering is the way to go for you. As one of the hardest engineering courses, computer engineering synthesises various subjects like computer science and electronic engineering to construct computer-related hardware and software. Computer engineers have your back for everything related to computer-related hardware and software compatibility. If you are keen on this subject, you should brace yourself for rigorous curriculums full of complex technical concepts and challenging problem sets. With an expected 7% job growth in the next 10 years, computer engineering has quite a reputation as the hardest engineering degree and most rewarding career. In fact, even highly successful figures like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, one of the alumni of Harvard University who studied computer science, have mentioned pulling all-nighters to pass the course.
4. Architectural Engineering
Potential Jobs: Building Engineer, Drafter, Architectural Designer. Engineering Technician
Average Salary: $80,000 - $130,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 4-5 years UG, 1-2 years PG
Top Schools: University of Texas, University of Miami, Oklahoma State University, and ETH Zurich
Perhaps a surprise entry on the list, this is undeniably the toughest course in engineering! Architectural engineers deal with the mechanics behind all the systems that are present in a building. The graduates of architectural engineers focus on the structural viability of a building, its electrical, lighting and heating systems, as well as its environmental and security systems. It may be the toughest stream in engineering, but the competitive salary will let you reap the benefits of your effort. In today’s world, where sustainability has grown from an optional benefit to a necessity, architectural engineering, the most difficult field in engineering, provides the avenue to design structures that promote sustainability. Remember, having demonstrated skills in visual design will help you get into the best engineering schools in the US, besides your high GPA.
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5. Biomedical Engineering
Potential Jobs: Biomaterials Developer, Biomedical Consultant, Manufacturing Engineer, Researcher
Average Salary: $75,000 - $130,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 3 years UG, 1 year PG
Top Schools: John Hopkins University, Stanford University, Duke University, and Emory University
For those who have had the intuition or interest to develop better equipment to facilitate medical processes, biomedical engineering is the top 5 hardest engineering courses to do. Biomedical engineers are basically behind constructing advanced equipment and systems that help with medical practices, such as artificial internal organs or devices that can diagnose a person’s ailment. With such big implications that follow in the real world in regard to the practice, it is indeed one of the hardest engineering courses in the world. The world of medicine advances in great strides every single day. Therefore, acing engineering, the hardest engineering branch, from some best biomedical engineering schools can be rewarding not just financially but also morally.
6. Mechanical Engineering
Potential Jobs: Automotive Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Technician, Control and Instrumentation Engineer
Average Salary: $70,000 - $130,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 3-4 years UG, 1-2 years PG
Top Schools: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California
Is mechanical engineering hard and one of the most difficult engineering courses on earth? What does a mechanical engineer do? We assume that these are the first things that popped up in your head when we mentioned the hardest engineering courses. Mechanical engineering is a field that analyses objects and systems in motion. As such, this toughest engineering course touches everything that involves mechanical systems. From mechanical components in a machine to the human body, mechanical engineers have expertise in them all. One can refer to them as a jack of all trades! The best schools for mechanical engineering have an acceptance rate of around 4%-5%, making it the hardest engineering major.
7. Nuclear Engineering
Potential Jobs: Nuclear Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Reactor Engineer, Radiation Engineer
Average Salary: $90,000 - $160,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 4 years UG, 1-2 years PG
Top Schools: University of Michigan, North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University, and University of California
It can be a bane or a boon, but one thing is clear: nuclear energy and its implications are here to stay. While the nuclear arms race is a commonly known phenomenon, nuclear energy isn’t just used for destruction. The toughest course in engineering encompasses a lot of systems that harness the awe-inspiring powers of subatomic reactions to fuel activities, such as providing the heat required to refine metals, producing hydrogen as a clean energy fuel, and so much more. Obviously, then, nuclear engineering is one of the top 5 hardest engineering courses in the world. One can complete a B. Tech in Nuclear Science and Technology to dip their toes into the field. To apply for various nuclear engineering universities, you might want to clear SAT exams, and the undergraduate programs have a specific sat score for admission.
8. Electrical Engineering
Potential Jobs: Controls Engineer, Broadcaster Engineer, Project Engineer, Test Engineer
Average Salary: $90,000 - $130,000/year
Time Taken to Graduate: 4 years UG, 1-2 years PG
Top Schools: University of Illinois, Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University
Electrical engineering, the toughest engineering branch, is the study, construction and design of systems and devices that use electricity as their main source of power. As it is the toughest engineering branch, electrical engineering, electrical engineering can often also include computer engineering despite the latter being a separate field of study in itself. The hardest engineering degree has been a viable specialisation in the field ever since the inception of electricity! Electrical engineers are some of the smartest people you will ever meet. Technical aptitude is vital for engineers, but key leadership skills like interpersonal abilities are equally important.
What Skill Do You Need to Become an Engineer?
Whether you are applying for the easiest, hardest, or best engineering courses in the world, engineering, just like other fields such as Arts and Economics, requires a specific skill set that maximises your chances for success. Some of the hardest engineering courses teach students many core intelligence skills that they may not have developed before the beginning of it. Below are some of the soft skills you need, along with hard skills to put on a resume and master for a rewarding career:
1. Problem-solving Skills
2. Creativity
3. Project Management
4. Adaptability
5. Communication Efficiency
6. Time Management
7. Networking and Relationship Building
8. A Multidisciplinary Approach
Things to Consider Before Selecting Your Engineering Course
If you want to pursue the toughest branch in engineering or a no-brainer one, you need to keep a few things in mind. Like any other major decision you make in your life, you must consider the pros and cons as well as the implications of selecting your engineering specialisation. Introspect and ask yourself your interests, passions, financial requirements, and goals in life. Here are some considerations you should keep in mind when deciding on the hardest engineering degree you want to pursue:
1. Do I enjoy problem-solving and critical thinking?
2. Am I ready to pursue a rigorous learning curriculum?
3. Am I interested in Math and Science?
4. Do I have a long-term goal or career milestone in mind?
5. Why Engineering?
6. Have I referred to an engineering student or alumni for their insights?
We hope answering these questions can help you gain clarity and confidence in your decision to find your way around the hardest engineering subject. Though engineering seems like a maze, you can find your way around with a strong foundation in maths, physics, and problem-solving skills. Make sure to have an excellent academic background to not only crack the hardest engineering degree but also bag one of the highest paying engineering jobs. Before you apply, always go through the eligibility criteria and admission process & requirements, and take your SAT test preparation seriously. So, study hard and triumph over the toughest engineering branch!
