Top 20 Hardest University Majors to Get Into (2025 Global Data Review)

The global admissions race has never been fiercer. Across continents, from Los Angeles to London, Beijing to Melbourne, universities are reporting their most competitive intake seasons on record. The days when an outstanding GPA or glowing recommendation letter could guarantee a seat in a dream program are gone. In 2025, success depends on strategy — not just excellence.

This article dives into the world’s 20 hardest university majors to get into, revealing the truth behind acceptance-rate headlines and helping ambitious students chart their course through an increasingly selective landscape.

While “hardest” often conjures images of Ivy League exclusivity, the real bottlenecks lie within specific programs — nursing, medicine, computer science, film, architecture — fields where limited lab space, performance-based selection, or overwhelming demand drive acceptance rates into single digits, or even fractions of one percent.

Post-pandemic, global student mobility has rebounded sharply. STEM and business majors lead the surge, driven by shifting economies, tech innovation, and a generation eager for relevance. Yet this boom has a cost: competition.

Quick Takeaway

• If you’re chasing postgraduate prestige or a career that opens global doors, don’t be fooled by overall university rankings. The true battlefield lies at the program level.
• Nursing, engineering, medicine, and fine arts aren’t just fields of study — they’re gates with thousands queued and only a few admitted.

Below is a deep dive into the 20 hardest university majors to get into in 2025, spanning every continent and discipline, using real data, official admissions figures, and careful contextual comparison.

Top 20 Hardest University Majors (2025)

Universities are expanding outreach but not capacity, meaning the ratio of applicants to available places continues to tighten worldwide. From Tsinghua’s engineering track — where domestic acceptance rates dip below 0.3% — to UCLA’s nursing program, barely admitting 1 in 100, the pattern is unmistakable: selectivity is the new normal.

But here’s the crucial lesson for applicants, “hardest” doesn’t always mean “best fit.” Many high-achieving students waste years chasing prestige over purpose, ignoring equally rigorous programs that might better match their goals. Admissions officers are no longer searching for perfection but for coherence: candidates who understand the mission of their chosen program and can prove, through authentic evidence, why they belong there.

As you’ll see in the following sections — supported by institutional data, 2025 acceptance trends, and practical insights — understanding the why behind difficulty is your first advantage. Whether your ambition is to study medicine at Oxford, design at RISD, or computer science at Caltech, the key is the same: know the landscape, prepare intentionally, and let clarity, not competition, guide your journey.

Notes on the table:

• Figures are a mix of published program rates (where available) and well-sourced estimates for 2025. Where possible I used official class-profile or institutional data; where institutions don’t publish program-level rates, the percent is an evidence-based estimate. See sources below for verification of key entries.
• Regional systems differ (e.g., Gaokao in China vs. holistic review in U.S.), so “apples-to-apples” comparison has limits. Treat this list as a planning tool, not a precise scoreboard.

Primary sources & reading for the most load-bearing claims: UCLA nursing & majors data; Tsinghua overview; Caltech and Harvard admissions reports; Oxford Annual Admissions Report. (Representative citations below.)

• UCLA First-Year Profile and major breakdown (Nursing Prelicensure 0.9% listed). Undergraduate Admission

• SF Chronicle: reporting on nursing being the most competitive UC major (~1%). San Francisco Chronicle

• Tsinghua domestic selection (very low Gaokao inflow figures). fly.homes

• Caltech small-class STEM acceptance reporting (Class profiles 2025). College Transitions

• Harvard College admissions statistical reporting. Harvard College+1

• Oxford Annual Admissions Statistical Report (2025). University of Oxford

1. Tsinghua University (China) — Engineering & STEM

In China, the path to Tsinghua is paved with sleepless nights, mock exams, and relentless precision. The Gaokao — China’s infamous national university entrance test — is both a meritocratic ladder and a psychological marathon. To earn a spot in Tsinghua’s engineering or applied science programs, a domestic student must rank within the top 0.1% of test-takers nationwide, and in some provinces, even higher. That translates to roughly one admitted student out of every thousand who attempt the exam.

The reason this selectivity matters globally is because Tsinghua represents more than an elite badge. It’s the laboratory of China’s innovation strategy — the birthplace of its AI research hubs and clean-energy startups. A Tsinghua engineering degree virtually guarantees access to the country’s best laboratories and corporate partnerships, which makes competition not only academic but socioeconomic.

International students face a different pathway, often applying through independent routes that evaluate transcripts, language tests, and personal statements. While these routes offer slightly higher acceptance rates, they still demand exceptional preparation, particularly in mathematics and physics. The culture of perfectionism surrounding Tsinghua’s entrance exams trickles into its international expectations, maintaining a culture of rigor that rivals MIT or Caltech.

The takeaway for applicants is straightforward yet sobering: your numbers alone may not suffice. Tsinghua values intellectual resilience — the ability to withstand pressure, deliver consistently, and demonstrate a research-ready mindset. A portfolio of independent STEM projects, published work, or Olympiad recognition can significantly strengthen your odds.

2. UCLA (USA) — Nursing (Prelicensure BSN)

In the United States, nursing programs face a peculiar paradox: enormous societal demand yet microscopic admission numbers. UCLA’s prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the perfect example. The school received several thousand applications for under 100 seats last year — yielding an admit rate of just 0.9%, the lowest of any UC major.

Why the choke point? Clinical training. Each student must complete hundreds of supervised hours in hospitals that already face staffing shortages. The limited hospital placements cap how many students UCLA can train safely and effectively. The result is a bottleneck — thousands of qualified applicants, only a handful admitted.

From an admissions perspective, UCLA’s nursing selection is holistic but intensely data-driven. The committee looks for a balance of GPA excellence, science prerequisites, community service in healthcare settings, and resilience indicators (volunteering during the pandemic carries weight). Essays that demonstrate empathy and professional realism stand out; those that glamorize the field without understanding its pressure do not.

For international students, UCLA’s nursing program is doubly challenging due to licensure requirements and visa-based clinical restrictions. Yet, the reputation and career outcomes make the fight worthwhile. The program’s graduates are absorbed quickly into California’s top hospitals, often moving on to leadership or research roles.

If nursing is your passion, strategy matters. Apply broadly to less impacted programs (for example, UMass Amherst or University of San Diego), gain patient-care experience, and, if possible, reapply with a stronger record. Nursing’s selectivity isn’t just about prestige — it’s about safety, resources, and professional readiness.

3. Caltech (USA) — Engineering, Applied Science, and Computer Science

The California Institute of Technology may enroll fewer than a thousand undergraduates at a time, but its reputation spans galaxies. Caltech’s engineering and computer science programs operate at acceptance rates hovering between 2% and 3%, placing them squarely among the world’s most exclusive.

The numbers, however, tell only half the story. Caltech’s admissions process resembles a finely tuned experiment in intellectual curiosity. Test scores, while strong, are not decisive; what the committee truly seeks are applicants who treat scientific inquiry like breathing. Successful candidates often have research experience, publications, or original inventions before age eighteen.

The limited cohort size means students work in direct proximity to Nobel laureates and postdoctoral researchers. That intimacy demands a maturity level uncommon in teenagers — the ability to debate, hypothesize, and fail productively. The admissions essays probe for that: moments when a student faced conceptual difficulty and persisted through data, not despair.

For international candidates, Caltech’s expectations mirror its domestic ones. Advanced mathematics (through calculus or beyond), physics, and chemistry mastery are assumed. Those from countries without AP or A-Level systems should provide national-exam evidence or external validation through Olympiads and research fairs.

Caltech embodies the future of small-scale, high-impact education — proof that exclusivity isn’t always elitism but efficiency. Its graduates don’t just join industries; they redesign them. Applying here is less about chasing prestige and more about proving readiness to live in perpetual discovery.

4. Harvard University (USA) — Highly Impacted STEM Majors

Harvard remains the global shorthand for academic excellence, yet few realize how uneven its selectivity is across disciplines. While the overall acceptance rate sits near 3%, certain STEM concentrations — particularly Computer Science, Molecular Biology, and Applied Mathematics — admit far fewer due to demand surges and limited faculty ratios.

Getting into Harvard’s STEM programs isn’t merely about high test scores or perfect grades; it’s about narrative coherence. The admissions team seeks students who connect their scientific ambition to societal purpose. An applicant who codes an AI tool to help local farmers often stands a better chance than one listing generic programming competitions.

Holistic review means essays, recommendations, and interviews weigh heavily. Harvard’s supplemental prompts about intellectual curiosity and community contribution allow applicants to showcase personal authenticity — a key differentiator when thousands of near-identical transcripts pile up.

What’s striking about Harvard’s model is its shifting definition of “qualified.” The university has moved toward valuing sustained curiosity over spiky achievement. That benefits applicants who pursue long-term projects, mentorship roles, or interdisciplinary collaboration. For international students, English fluency and clarity of purpose are decisive.

Still, competition remains brutal. Harvard’s yield — the percentage of admitted students who enroll — consistently exceeds 80%, leaving minimal room for wait-list movement. Applicants should thus view Harvard as a dream, not a guarantee, and ensure solid backup options in the Ivy or top-public ecosystem. Prestige inspires, but preparation decides outcomes.

5. Juilliard / Curtis / U.S. Conservatories — Music Performance & Classical Arts

If Caltech measures intellect, Juilliard and Curtis measure soul. These conservatories admit at rates between 2 % and 6 %, depending on instrument and year. Admission isn’t a paperwork exercise — it’s a two-minute audition that decides a life. Every applicant walks into the room carrying not only a violin but a decade of practice, sacrifice, and sleepless scales.

At Juilliard, a single faculty member’s impression can make or break a career. The selection committee listens for tone, phrasing, and something harder to define — musical identity. At Curtis, the smallest of them all, only about 150 students in total study at any given time. Tuition is free, but the price is relentless rehearsal and critique from world-class mentors.

What makes these programs uniquely hard isn’t just competition; it’s subjectivity. A physics equation is either right or wrong, but a Chopin nocturne can be interpreted a thousand ways. Audition nerves, repertoire choices, and even instrument availability (there are fewer oboe spots than violin) can swing outcomes wildly.

Applicants need artistic portfolios, competition credentials, and most importantly, a performance that moves the room. International students must also navigate visa paperwork and often travel across continents for live auditions. Yet for those who succeed, the reward is extraordinary: direct mentorship from maestros and an almost guaranteed professional pipeline into orchestras, opera houses, or Broadway pits.

The lesson: the arts reward authenticity. In a field where acceptance is rarer than at Harvard, passion can’t be faked. Applicants should record, perform, collaborate, and live music publicly long before audition day.

6. Oxford / Cambridge (UK) — Medicine, PPE & Law

Crossing the Atlantic, Britain’s ancient twin titans — Oxford and Cambridge — continue to define intellectual exclusivity. Their most competitive majors, Medicine, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), and Law, admit only about 5–10 % of applicants. In Oxbridge terms, that’s brutal, considering the country’s broader university landscape averages above 40 %.

The system itself is distinct. Applicants apply through UCAS, but Oxbridge requires early submission — typically mid-October — plus written work, admissions tests, and interviews that test thinking under fire. A medicine hopeful may face ethical dilemmas; a PPE candidate might be grilled on utilitarianism and global markets. The process rewards articulation, not rote memorization.

Competition further tightens because every applicant must select a specific college (there are over 30 at each university). Some colleges, like Christ Church or Trinity, attract heavier demand, lowering odds even more. It’s a strategic game — the difference between a 6 % and a 10 % chance may hinge on choosing wisely.

For international students, Oxbridge represents both prestige and precision. The courses are deeply academic, with tutorials that resemble Socratic sparring. Grades matter (straight A*s or equivalent), but so does intellectual independence. Those who think aloud clearly during interviews often triumph over candidates who simply recite rehearsed answers.

What applicants learn at Oxbridge is that difficulty equals definition. These programs produce world leaders, philosophers, and scientists not by exclusivity alone but by immersion in centuries-old scholarly culture. To prepare, read widely, practice critical thinking interviews, and apply early. Oxford and Cambridge don’t just test knowledge — they test how you use it.

7. University of Tokyo (Japan) — STEM & PEAK Programs

Japan’s University of Tokyo, affectionately “Todai,” sits at the center of Asia’s academic gravity. Its domestic STEM tracks are notoriously competitive, with overall acceptance rates around 10–20 %, but within flagship engineering or medicine courses, the figure plunges dramatically.

Unlike Western holistic systems, Todai’s admissions rely on multi-stage national exams. Students must first ace the National Center Test, then survive university-specific written exams that include extended essays, advanced calculus, and lab-based problem solving. It’s a mental endurance test; many applicants spend two years at “cram schools” solely to master the format.

The PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) initiative opens an international door — particularly for global STEM or social-science students. While its acceptance rate is higher than domestic intake, the intellectual rigor remains steep. Successful candidates exhibit bilingual competence, global awareness, and research ambition aligned with Japan’s innovation priorities.

Todai’s selectivity reflects Japan’s cultural emphasis on precision and perseverance. Society treats the university entrance season almost like a national ritual, with news reports covering exam days and family prayers offered at shrines for success. That intensity breeds a unique humility in those admitted: they know what effort costs.

For international applicants, Tokyo’s challenge is adapting to a structure that demands self-discipline and cultural sensitivity. Learn the language basics, respect academic hierarchy, and demonstrate genuine engagement with Japan’s scientific and societal challenges. The gate is narrow, but the view beyond is extraordinary.

8. Stanford University (USA) — CS, Engineering & Interdisciplinary Majors

At the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford has become a synonym for innovation — and impossibility. Its overall admit rate sits near 3 – 5 %, yet certain programs such as Computer Science, Symbolic Systems, and Engineering Physics dip even lower due to overwhelming demand from every corner of the globe.

Stanford’s admissions philosophy blends academic excellence with entrepreneurial flair. The committee searches for builders — students who see code as canvas. Applicants often present research portfolios, start-up prototypes, or open-source contributions. In a pool where almost everyone scores above 1500 on the SAT, creative initiative is the new differentiator.

Program-level competition intensifies once inside. The CS department alone enrolls more undergraduates than any other major, yet hundreds more are wait-listed annually. Faculty limit capacity to maintain quality mentorship and lab access, making switching into CS later nearly impossible.

What sets Stanford apart is its interdisciplinary magnetism: engineers study ethics, artists learn machine learning, and economists code apps. Admissions officers favor those who can articulate how diverse interests intersect — precisely the thinking that spawns new industries.

For international applicants, the message is strategic optimism. Show you understand the ecosystem, not just the institution. Reference research labs, professors, or campus incubators that align with your goals. The dream isn’t far-fetched; it’s simply fenced by preparation. In the global hierarchy of “hard to get in,” Stanford remains the quintessential modern gate — guarded by vision, not just grades.

9. Princeton / Yale / Columbia (USA) — Select STEM & Arts Programs

Princeton, Yale, and Columbia operate at the intersection of deep scholarship and intense selectivity. These Ivy institutions share similar admission dynamics: overall admit rates in the low single digits, with specific STEM and arts programs that are even tougher. For applicants, the baseline is clear — exceptional coursework plus demonstrable intellectual curiosity.

At Princeton, small undergraduate enrollment creates resource-driven constraints. Engineering and applied science programs favor research-minded students who have shown lab experience or sustained project work. The admissions committee prizes academic seriousness, but also the spark of original inquiry — the student who turned a class project into a published paper or open-source tool.

Yale emphasizes interdisciplinary breadth alongside depth. Its arts programs — fine arts, drama, or music — combine portfolio/audition reviews with academic assessment. For STEM applicants, Yale values collaborative research and public-impact projects. Essays that articulate a commitment to interdisciplinary problem-solving often outperform lists of accolades.

Columbia, housed in a major metropolis, offers unique access to industry and culture, which intensifies demand for programs like architecture, film, and biomedical engineering. Here, the admissions team looks for readiness to engage with the city as a laboratory — internships, community projects, and portfolio work that use urban problems as research prompts.

For international applicants, the triad’s message is practical: match your profile to the program’s culture. Research labs, studio faculty, and course syllabi are public — cite them. Demonstrate how your background enables contribution from day one. These universities seek students who will immediately expand the intellectual life on campus, not arrive as late bloomers.

10. Peking University (China) — STEM & Medicine (Domestic)

Peking University’s stature in China mirrors Tsinghua’s: national prestige, rigorous selection, and massive applicant volume. Domestic acceptance into flagship STEM and medical programs often falls below 1% in highly competitive provinces. The Gaokao remains the primary selector, and provincial quotas intensify competition based on where you sit in the national ranking.

Peking’s programs are not only selective for their prestige; they are gateways to China’s premier research networks and government-sponsored labs. Admission effectively places students on accelerated career tracks — think direct pipelines to national institutes, top hospitals, and elite corporations. That institutional payoff keeps applications skyrocketing every year.

International applicants have alternative routes, including international student quotas and special-program admissions that evaluate transcripts, essays, and interviews. While these routes are comparatively less needle-thin, they still demand excellence: published research, strong recommendation letters, and evidence of capacity to study in Chinese or English programs.

Admissions in China revolve around demonstrated mastery rather than narrative. That said, competitive applicants who combine stellar exam performance with research internships or national competition awards stand out. For applicants aiming at medicine or engineering here, the realistic plan is exam-focused preparation supplemented by demonstrable, program-specific achievements.

Finally, Peking’s environment is structured and intense. Students thrive by accepting long hours and steep expectations. For those who adapt, the university’s resources and reputation provide a career multiplier unmatched in most contexts.

11. ETH Zurich (Switzerland) — Engineering & Computer Science

ETH Zurich is Europe’s technical crown jewel: a compact institution with world-class labs and strong industry ties. Program-level acceptance tends to range from about 5% to 10% depending on nationality and field. For technical majors, ETH seeks applicants who combine rigorous math and physics foundations with proven problem-solving skills.

Language and credentialing matter. Many bachelor’s programs still expect proficiency in German for local tracks, though English-taught master’s options have broadened access. Admissions committees examine national exam scores, subject-specific grades, and any measurable research or competition success — for example, national olympiad placements or capstone projects.

ETH’s culture values applied research and entrepreneurship. Students are expected to move quickly from theory to prototype — a trait reflected in their project-based courses and lab work. For applicants, signaling experience in building or debugging physical systems, contributing to open-source software, or publishing technical reports makes a practical difference.

International students should prepare for multi-stage credential verification and sometimes additional entrance assessments. ETH also prizes fit: explain how you will use ETH’s specific centers (robotics, quantum engineering, environmental tech) to advance a project or a startup idea. Demonstrable alignment with faculty research increases admit odds.

Ultimately, ETH selects for preparation and productivity. Its graduates are hired by top engineering firms and research institutions worldwide — so admission is both competitive and a direct career lever.

12. University College London (UCL) & Imperial College London (UK) — Medicine, Engineering & CS

UCL and Imperial sit at the vanguard of London’s research and industry networks; both are demand magnets for medicine, engineering, and computer science. Program-level acceptance rates commonly fall between 5% and 10% for highly impacted degrees, with medicine and certain engineering streams at the lower end.

UCL’s strength is breadth. Its biomedical engineering and global health programs attract applicants who want interdisciplinary training tied to clinical or policy impact. Admissions officers evaluate A-level or IB performance, relevant coursework, and civic engagement — particularly experiences that illustrate the applicant’s understanding of healthcare systems.

Imperial is more narrowly technical, prized for engineering, computing, and physical sciences. It looks for subject mastery and evidence of high-caliber projects. Imperial claims that applicants who demonstrate hands-on engineering (robotics, electronics) or high-level computational work will have a competitive edge. The college’s location near industry hubs also elevates its internship and placement opportunities.

Both institutions use UCAS applications plus possible supplementary tests (BMAT for medicine; sometimes coding challenges or interviews for computing/engineering). International applicants must map their qualifications to UK standards and often submit additional documentation to prove equivalence.

For applicants, the strategic guidance is tactical: fine-tune your subject proficiency, complete any required admissions tests early, and present a coherent project or research thread in personal statements or portfolios. London’s universities reward specificity — not generic excellence.

13. University of Melbourne (Australia) — Biomedical Science & Medicine

The University of Melbourne anchors Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) — the equivalent of the Ivy League for the Southern Hemisphere — and nowhere is its selectivity clearer than in Biomedical Science and Medicine. Domestic acceptance for undergraduate biomedical programs hovers around 8%, while postgraduate entry into the Doctor of Medicine (MD) pathway can dip below 5%.

What drives this intensity is the two-tier structure. Students first complete a bachelor’s degree (often Biomed or Science) before competing for limited MD seats. Each stage demands near-perfect GPAs and a strong GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test) score. The process mirrors a hybrid of American pre-med rigor and British-style exam precision.

For international students, entry routes exist through foundation programs or direct entry for high-performing applicants. The expectation remains uncompromising — exceptional science marks, strong English proficiency (IELTS 7.0+), and evidence of relevant clinical or research exposure. The most competitive applicants often have hospital internships, laboratory assistantships, or published academic abstracts.

What distinguishes Melbourne is its balance of structure and flexibility. While selection is stringent, the university actively promotes pathway programs — year-long preparatory courses that bridge academic gaps and ease transition into degree study. These foundation years have acceptance rates around 25%, serving as an attainable route for ambitious international candidates.

In sum, the University of Melbourne is both opportunity and ordeal: access is possible, but only through meticulous academic planning and early, disciplined preparation. Its biomedical graduates enjoy global mobility — a testament to the school’s selective yet supportive system.

14. National University of Singapore (NUS) / Nanyang Technological University (NTU) — Engineering, Computer Science & Business

NUS and NTU are Asia’s dynamic duo — two Singaporean powerhouses that fuse Western academic models with Asian precision. Their acceptance rates for international students hover between 5% and 7%, and certain programs such as Computer Science, Business Analytics, and Engineering rank among the world’s toughest entry points.

The challenge lies not only in the numbers but in the preparation culture. Singaporean applicants begin academic specialization early, often through advanced mathematics, coding, or Olympiad-level problem-solving by age sixteen. International students must match this intensity to compete effectively. NUS, for instance, expects strong standardized results and tangible project portfolios — evidence of sustained curiosity rather than rote excellence.

NTU’s focus on applied innovation gives weight to technical experience: robotics competitions, research internships, and even small entrepreneurial ventures. Applicants who can showcase an engineering mindset — prototypes, programming portfolios, or system design projects — have an edge. In both universities, the review process is holistic but meritocratic to the bone.

For international applicants, English proficiency and prior research or competition history are crucial. Personal statements matter less than demonstrable technical capacity. These institutions measure potential through what you’ve built, coded, or solved, not what you’ve promised in writing.

Singapore’s universities symbolize a quiet revolution — where rigor meets realism. They prove that excellence isn’t limited to the traditional Western world; it’s thriving, disciplined, and future-oriented in Southeast Asia.

15. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — Engineering, Physics, and Computer Science

If competition were a sport, the IITs would be its Olympic arena. With over a million candidates taking the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) annually and less than 1% earning a seat, these institutions represent perhaps the world’s most selective public university system. IIT Bombay, Delhi, and Madras are the apex — coveted, respected, and nearly mythologized.

The selection gauntlet is brutal yet mathematically elegant. Admission depends on JEE Advanced rank, which itself is filtered through the JEE Main. The system tests logic, creativity, and endurance more than memorization. Top scorers aren’t just good students — they’re strategic thinkers trained for precision under pressure.

For international applicants (a relatively new category), selection still depends on equivalent standardized exams and performance in mathematics-heavy subjects. Some IITs, like Madras, also offer direct international admission based on SAT scores, though the required percentiles remain dauntingly high.

The IIT culture values meritocracy to an extreme. There are no essays, no sports-based scholarships, no “holistic” loopholes — only mastery of mathematics and science. Yet life at IITs is far from joyless. The campuses buzz with innovation labs, national hackathons, and startup accelerators, proving that competition can coexist with creativity.

Success here is not accidental; it’s engineered. Students who thrive in IITs often describe the experience as survival with purpose — where every exam feels like a tournament, and every breakthrough, a small personal revolution.

16. University of Tokyo (Japan) — Engineering, Law, and Humanities

The University of Tokyo, or Todai, sits atop Japan’s academic hierarchy, a symbol of discipline and intellectual excellence. Its domestic admission rate across faculties is roughly 20%, but this figure hides enormous variation: the humanities and social sciences may approach 25%, while Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Law hover closer to 10%. For international pathways, the competition narrows further to below 5%.

Todai’s entrance exams define the Japanese meritocratic system. Applicants must conquer both national and university-specific exams — a marathon of logic, reading, and reasoning. Success requires not just intelligence but relentless practice and emotional endurance. Many Japanese students spend years in “juku” (cram schools) perfecting timing and recall precision.

For international applicants, the university’s PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) offers a global entry channel with essays, transcripts, and interviews. Yet even these routes preserve the underlying rigor — analytical essays are scored meticulously, and academic transcripts are scrutinized for consistency across years.

The university emphasizes intellectual humility and discipline over charisma. Admissions officers value reliability, consistency, and a demonstrated work ethic. For those who gain entry, Todai provides extraordinary access to Japan’s research and governmental ecosystem — producing Nobel laureates, statesmen, and innovators.

In Japan’s context, prestige isn’t merely about status. It’s about trustworthiness — and Todai remains the model of that quiet, exacting excellence.

17. London School of Economics (LSE), Bocconi University, and IE University — Economics, Finance, and Business

If Oxbridge are the guardians of tradition, LSE, Bocconi, and IE are the modern cathedrals of commerce. Their halls echo with ambition, multilingual debate, and an unrelenting appetite for data. In 2025, these schools report estimated acceptance rates between 5% and 12% across flagship programs such as Economics, Finance, and Business Management.

LSE’s BSc in Economics remains the jewel of European business education — deceptively brief in structure but intellectually punishing. The program admits only a fraction of applicants who meet A-level (or equivalent) requirements, emphasizing mathematical readiness over generic motivation. A typical admit is fluent in calculus, statistics, and global current affairs. Personal statements are dissected for analytical thinking, not sentimentality.

Bocconi, Italy’s business titan, blends quantitative rigor with cosmopolitan reach. It draws top students from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas for its BSc in International Economics and Management. The admissions process weighs academic transcripts heavily but also demands standardized testing (SAT, ACT, or Bocconi’s proprietary test). Interviews assess whether a candidate can link business principles to real-world outcomes — sustainability, digital transformation, or policy reform.

IE University in Spain, by contrast, tilts entrepreneurial. Its process looks for creative portfolios and leadership projects, often blending design thinking and startup experience. Yet despite its modern branding, selectivity remains steep, especially in programs feeding into finance or innovation hubs.

Together, LSE, Bocconi, and IE demonstrate that business education has matured into a fiercely academic discipline. The new language of economics isn’t just profit; it’s complexity, ethics, and impact — and the gatekeepers of that language demand fluency.

18. New York University (Tisch) and University of Southern California (USC) — Film, Theatre, and Screenwriting

No field romanticizes rejection quite like film. At NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, rejection is practically a rite of passage. Acceptance rates float between 3% and 8%, depending on the program — numbers that rival the Ivy League, but with an added twist: your script, short film, or audition tape carries the weight of your GPA.

Tisch and USC operate on the alchemy of subjectivity and skill. Talent alone won’t save you; reviewers look for narrative coherence, original voice, and evidence that you can endure the grind of storytelling as both craft and career. Portfolios are judged across dimensions — visual composition, emotional depth, technical control. One minute of genuine originality can eclipse a dozen polished clichés.

For international students, these programs offer both opportunity and risk. They welcome global voices but evaluate them through distinctly American storytelling frameworks — character arcs, pacing, conflict, and theme. Applicants from Asia, Africa, or Europe who blend cultural authenticity with cinematic literacy stand out most.

Both schools emphasize collaboration. Tisch students often cross paths with future directors and editors; USC’s network famously feeds directly into Hollywood’s machinery. Yet amid this glamour, reality bites: high tuition, intense workload, and no guaranteed stardom. The ones who thrive treat film as both vocation and vocation-plus-discipline — artistry executed with engineering precision.

In short, Tisch and USC remind us that the hardest thing to teach isn’t technique — it’s vision. And those few who arrive with both earn their place among the chosen.

19. UC Berkeley (Haas School of Business) and University of Michigan (Ross School of Business) — Business Administration and Management

Within the public university world, Haas and Ross are paradoxes: state-funded institutions with private-level selectivity. Their undergraduate business programs report acceptance rates between 6% and 10%, often tighter than the parent universities themselves.

Berkeley’s Haas program embodies Californian pragmatism — ethical entrepreneurship, data-driven management, and innovation ecosystems that feed directly into Silicon Valley. Admission requires not only academic distinction but also a mature narrative of purpose. Applicants often apply after their second year, meaning competition is internal as well as external. Essays and interviews focus on “defining leadership moments,” a phrase that has become almost mythical among Haas hopefuls.

Ross, situated in the American Midwest, channels similar intensity through its BBA. Michigan students face a “preferred admission” system, meaning early commitment combined with performance monitoring. GPA thresholds above 3.8 are common, and extracurriculars are parsed for leadership rather than mere participation.

International students are increasingly visible in both programs, though they face the same standards. These schools prize initiative: student-run funds, social ventures, or case competition victories can tip the scale. For transfer students, entry is still possible but rarely forgiving; portfolios of business projects or financial analysis samples can serve as proof of real-world readiness.

Public or not, these programs operate as elite professional incubators — training tomorrow’s consultants, founders, and financial analysts. They prove that prestige in education isn’t defined by tuition cost but by scarcity of opportunity and excellence of outcome.

20. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Royal College of Art (RCA) — Fine Arts and Design

The world of art schools is its own competitive cosmos — less numerical, more visceral. Yet acceptance rates can be as daunting as medicine: 4% to 12%, depending on specialization and year. RISD in the United States and RCA in the United Kingdom stand at the summit of this creative hierarchy.

RISD’s admissions hinge on portfolio authenticity. The committee looks for raw conceptual strength — the student who sees light differently, who invents textures or uses absurdity as argument. Technical mastery matters, but soul and originality matter more. Applicants who chase trends or mimic aesthetics rarely pass the first review.

RCA, a postgraduate-only institution, filters experienced designers seeking reinvention. Portfolios are expected to demonstrate professional maturity — architecture, industrial design, fashion, or visual communication with intellectual backbone. Statements of purpose here are manifestos: reflections on how design interacts with society, environment, and technology.

Both institutions emphasize storytelling through form. A single sketch can reveal cognitive clarity, while a prototype can signal design thinking far ahead of its peers. Because cohort sizes are small, even extraordinary applicants can be turned away for reasons of thematic balance or studio capacity.

For international applicants, the key is translation — not of language, but of idea. The portfolio must speak cross-culturally, expressing concepts that transcend geography. Those who succeed don’t merely make art; they converse with the world through it.

RISD and RCA show that selectivity in art isn’t about conformity, but courage. The harder it is to get in, the freer the art that emerges.

Short commentary (what the list actually means for applicants)

1. Program capacity beats brand every time

Many top-tier programs (nursing, medicine, conservatories, film) are limited by lab/clinical facilities, studio space, or teaching ratios. That creates low acceptance rates regardless of the university’s overall size. (Example: UCLA nursing ~0.9%.) Undergraduate Admission+1

2. National admissions systems change the math

In China, top universities like Tsinghua and Peking admit domestic students primarily via Gaokao ranking; those top slices are tiny (hence the sub-1% figures for certain provinces/programs), even while international admissions are comparatively easier. fly.homes+1

3. Portfolio and audition-based programs compress acceptance

Arts, music, and film schools admit on craft and potential. Small cohorts + subjective selection = very low acceptance rates at elite conservatories and film schools. Education Corner

4. “Hardest” varies by applicant profile

International applicants may face different odds than domestic students; some universities set quotas or prioritize in-state applicants (notably U.S. publics). Always check the institution’s class-profile pages. Careers360 Study Abroad+1

5. Strategy trumps despair

If your dream major is on this list, change the conversation: prepare major-specific evidence of fit (research, portfolio, auditions), use backup majors that still get you toward your goals, and consider transfer or alternative pathways where appropriate.

How to use this guide — practical steps for applicants

Step 1: Start with realistic research

Look up the university’s first-year profile or admissions statistics page (many publish “admit rates by major”). Use those figures to calibrate expectations (examples: UCLA first-year by major; Oxford admissions report). Undergraduate Admission+1

Step 2: Build program evidence

For CS/engineering: coding competitions, research, internships. For film: short films, festival selections, directors’ statements. For nursing: clinical volunteer hours and patient-care experience. Tailor your proof.

Step 3: Apply smart

Combine one reach application (your dream program), one stretch, and one strategic backup (related major with higher admit rates).

Step 4: Consider transfer routes

Many students enter top programs via transfer (especially in the U.S. and Canada) after building a strong academic record and completing prerequisites. UCLA and other publics publish transfer acceptance profiles. Undergraduate Admission

Step 5: Use geography to your advantage

Some countries offer great alternatives with comparable quality and far lower cost — e.g., strong engineering at ETH Zurich or NUS with different competition dynamics.

Closing Insights: Reading Between the Numbers

The world’s hardest university majors to enter are not merely competitive; they are reflections of scarcity — of time, mentorship, lab space, or creative bandwidth. They reveal where global demand outpaces capacity, and where excellence is self-selecting.

Patterns emerge: STEM and medicine dominate because of infrastructural limits; art and film because of subjective brilliance; and business because of the crushing ratio of ambition to opportunity. Yet across all twenty, one theme endures — the idea that difficulty is not deterrence but direction. These programs don’t exist to exclude; they exist to ensure that the students who do enter can thrive under intensity.

For applicants, the practical takeaway is both sobering and empowering. Research program-level data, understand contextual odds (domestic vs. international), and prepare evidence of your specific fitness — not just grades, but proof of work, purpose, and persistence. The modern admissions landscape rewards authenticity, intellectual stamina, and focused storytelling.

Above all, don’t chase prestige for its own sake. A 0.9% acceptance rate means nothing if the program doesn’t fit your vision. The truest measure of success isn’t whether you enter the hardest room, but whether you belong there once you do.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes a university major “hard to get into”?

A major becomes highly selective when demand far exceeds available spots — often because of program costs, faculty limits, or the hands-on nature of training. For instance, nursing and medicine require clinical placements that can’t scale easily, while engineering and computer science attract overwhelming global interest. Add in world-famous reputation, and you get single-digit acceptance rates. Essentially, a “hard-to-enter” major balances prestige, practicality, and limited capacity.

Are low acceptance rates always a sign of higher academic quality?

Not necessarily. A low acceptance rate reflects competition, not always educational excellence. Some programs are selective because they’re small (e.g., conservatories or film schools), not because they outperform larger ones. A program’s true quality depends on faculty expertise, research output, alumni outcomes, and curriculum design. So yes — Harvard Engineering and Caltech Applied Science are world-class, but a 1% acceptance rate at UCLA Nursing is driven by logistics, not prestige alone.

Which countries have the toughest universities to enter overall?

Globally, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom lead the selectivity charts. China’s Gaokao exam funnels millions of students into a handful of elite spots at Tsinghua and Peking University, where domestic acceptance rates can fall below 0.3%. The U.S. combines holistic review with huge applicant pools, while the U.K. favors exam-based systems that emphasize depth of knowledge. Japan, Singapore, and Korea also host ultra-competitive programs, especially in STEM and Medicine.

How do international students compare to domestic applicants in difficulty?

It depends on the country and program. In the U.S., international students face lower acceptance odds at public universities because of in-state quotas. In the U.K., the UCAS system treats all applicants similarly, though interviews weigh heavily for Oxbridge. In China, domestic Gaokao competition is fierce, but international routes are often easier. Always check the “international admission” page — it’s your best measure of fairness and feasibility.

Which majors are consistently the hardest across all countries?

Across 2025 data, the majors that dominate the top tier of selectivity are:

• Medicine and Nursing: due to limited clinical capacity.

• Engineering and Computer Science: due to high global demand.

• Business and Economics: particularly at elite schools like LSE or Bocconi.

• Music and Film: where portfolio and audition-based selection drastically shrink cohorts.

• Design and Fine Arts: where creative potential is harder to standardize.

No matter the country, these fields require more proof of potential than paperwork.

How can I increase my chances of getting into a competitive major?

Start early and specialize intentionally. Build a portfolio of evidence that proves alignment with your chosen field — coding competitions for CS, research papers for engineering, volunteer hours for healthcare, or short films for creative programs. Craft essays that show curiosity and commitment, not just credentials. Most importantly, apply smartly: pair one “reach” program with “match” and “safety” options that share your academic direction but differ in selectivity.

What are “program-level acceptance rates,” and why do they matter more than university-wide ones?

A university’s overall acceptance rate can be misleading because it blends easy and hard programs together. For example, UCLA’s overall admit rate is around 8%, but its nursing program sits below 1%. Program-level data reveals your true competition. Always look for published breakdowns (e.g., “First-Year Profile by Major”) or reports like Oxford’s annual admission statistics. This gives you realistic odds — and helps you target programs strategically.

Are arts and design majors really as competitive as STEM?

Absolutely. In fact, elite conservatories and art schools can be tougher because of limited studio capacity and highly subjective selection. Juilliard, Curtis, and RISD admit only a handful of students per cohort — based entirely on creative potential. Unlike STEM programs, where metrics dominate, arts admissions depend on how your portfolio resonates with the faculty’s vision. That’s why rejection rates can rival Ivy League levels despite small applicant pools.

What role does geography play in competitiveness?

Geography changes everything. A top engineering degree in Singapore or Switzerland might offer world-class training with slightly higher acceptance odds than the U.S. or U.K. Similarly, Australian and Canadian universities often balance high quality with transparency in admissions. Students who broaden their global search can access elite education without fighting impossible odds. Strategy is about choosing the right system — not just the right school.

If I’m rejected from my dream major, what’s the smartest backup plan?

Rejection isn’t the end; it’s redirection. Many successful students enter their desired field through transfer pathways or related majors. For instance, you might start in biology, then transfer into medicine; or begin in economics before moving into finance. Some universities — especially in the U.S. and Canada — even publish transfer acceptance rates by program. The key is to stay consistent with your long-term academic theme and treat every acceptance as a strategic win, not a consolation.

Also Check:

• UCLA Acceptance Rate by Major — Where It’s Hardest and Easiest to Get In
• UCLA Acceptance Rate for 2026 — Your Guide to Getting In
• UCLA Acceptance Rate 2024–2025 | How Hard Is It to Get Into UCLA?
• Study Abroad Resume Tips: How to Turn Your Study Abroad Experience into a Career Advantage