Hey folks! I read somewhere that some degrees are considered 'harder' than others. Can anyone shed some light on this? What criteria is used to gauge the difficulty of a degree?
Sure, happy to help! When people say that some degrees are "harder" than others, they're generally taking into account a few different factors.
First, there's pure courseload. Some degree programs require more courses, or more advanced courses, than others. For instance, many Engineering or Science degrees may require a substantial sequence of rigorous and math-intensive courses that can be taxing.
Next, there's the workload itself. Some academic disciplines are notorious for the amount of work they require. For instance, Architecture programs often involve a lot of studio work, which can be very time-consuming. Similarly, medical or law degree programs require a high degree of commitment and these are often considered among the hardest.
The difficulty of assessments is also a factor. Some programs might have more complex or demanding assignments, projects or exams. A Physics or Mathematics major might encounter some particularly challenging problem sets, for instance.
Another measure is the expected standards and degree of competition within the program. Some fields, especially in top universities, can be incredibly competitive, and this can make the degree 'harder' in a sense. Fields like Computer Science at MIT or Economics at Harvard, for instance, are notorious for this.
Finally, it's important to keep in mind that difficulty is also a very individual consideration. What one student finds relatively easy, another might find incredibly challenging, depending on their personal strengths, interests and study habits. Introductory courses in particular can be difficult for students coming from different preparation levels, since these courses often have a standardized curriculum that doesn't account for what students did or didn't learn in high school.
Hope this clears up your query!
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