Top 12 Hardest Courses In The Philippines And Their Respective Career Prospects

Whether you are about to start your college journey or ready to join the job market, your biggest question may be, “What next?” Everyone will always have a job opportunity, whatever the passion, purpose, and or course finished. Yes, even the so-called difficult ones! 

The bigger question is, how do you define a college course as tough? We present one important criteria for you to focus on. 

What are the most difficult courses?

A difficult course requires a specific Weighted Average to qualify for retention. It may contain an extra set of requirements other than completing the course prior to pursuing your career. 

Did you sign up for any of the courses below? Your next career option could be from any of the hardest courses on our list. 

Management Engineering (BS ME)

Could ME be the hardest engineering course? Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)’s Management Engineering program entails a combination of the school’s liberal arts program and business management. What differs this from the Management Honors program is the number of math subjects undergraduates must take. 

Students who graduate this course usually move on to big corporations and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Applicants must be in the Top 15 percentile of the ACET and must comply with the yearly cumulative QPI (Weighted Average). Each program member must only have one D (or 75%) for the duration of the course or face removal from ME. 

Chemistry

Chemistry is known to be arduous across the nation’s universities. Its different deviations include Applied Chemistry, Chemistry-Biology, Chemical Engineering, and the like. 

In the University of the Philippines (UP), only a handful of applicants are selected based on UPCAT performance and Science / Math grades in high school. 

Career Opportunities: Chemist, Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BS MBB)

Hailing from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), this highly specialized course only admits 60 undergraduates annually. It focuses on molecular biology, scientific research, physiology and the like.

Students must maintain a Weighted Average of at least 2.5 in Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). In addition, they must have a Cumulative WAG of at least 2.25.

Career Opportunities: Medical Scientist

Computer Science 

This course focuses on the theories and applications of Information Technology and computing solutions. 

Computer Science is known for its precise and meticulous nature. Far Eastern University (FEU), in particular, tosses in Software Engineering to level up the degree. 

Career Opportunities: Software Engineer, Programmer, Systems Developer, Database Administrator

Applied Economics, Major in Financial Economics and Accountancy (BS AE-F/ACC)

De La Salle University (DLSU) is known for giving undergraduates the chance to pursue double degrees. The difficulty lies in finishing both degrees simultaneously. 

In this case, students who wish to graduate from this course must undergo several units of math. On top of that, they must combine their economics and accountancy together.

Career Opportunities: Credit Analyst, Supply Chain Assistant, Financial Analyst, Internal Auditor

Political Science

Political Science requires knowledge of international relations, current political bodies, bills, and whatnot. 

Some universities combine a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Master’s Degree (AB/MA PolSci in ADMU). But those pursuing a career in government will need to take the Civil Service Exam prior to entering the workforce. PoliSci can also serve as a prerequisite to law.

Career opportunities: Paralegal, Compliance Officer 

Architecture

Said to be a tough one from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), this five-year program is a mix of technical and professional courses. 

Juniors are required to take an Architecture Midterm Aptitude Comprehensive Exam while fifth years get the Architecture Review course. Furthermore, aspiring architects must study and pass the Architecture Licensure Exam (ALE) to get licensed.

Career Opportunities: Architect, Interior Designer

Agriculture

This UP Los Banos (UPLB) specialty is recognized by the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA). The school itself has been awarded as the Top Performing Institution for Agriculture as a specialty. 

Students under this course learn the technicalities of crop raising, how to work with agricultural chemicals, and seed conditioning. They will also learn about pest management, working with fertilizers, and food quality control and production. 

Philosophy

Do not underestimate a Humanities Course, especially one as difficult as Philosophy. Students who pursue this course open a world to questioning everything and anything around us. Taking lessons from great Stoics like Aristotle to questioning about how we got here on Earth, it is a great way to learn about why we are the way we are. 

Graduates of the course expand their horizons and have a varied list of careers to choose from. That includes applying this subject as a prerequisite for law. 

Nursing

While nurses are some of the most in-demand professionals around the world, the course in itself is difficult. Aside from this being a prerequisite to pursuing a career in medicine, this four year vocational course carries heavy specializations. You will also be required to take the licensure exam, which is conducted by the Board of Nursing and supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

While you can pursue different specializations, the course specifies four you must take. These are disease prevention, health promotion, health restoration, and risk reduction. 

Career Opportunities: Nurse, Registered Nurse

Management Honors (BS MGT-H)

If you are looking to upgrade your typical Management course, this Ateneo-unique program is for you. It applies the same structure and flow as BS Management, except with a few added requirements. Students who have a knack for entrepreneurship or dream of managing a business can pursue this course. 

The curriculum itself is rich with leadership subjects, operations management, and accounting to ensure a well-rounded graduate. 

First of all, your ticket to enter begins with the ACET. For you to qualify for the program, you must be part of the Top 10 percentile in the exam. To stay in the course, you must have a cumulative QPI of 3 or 4. On top of that, you can only have one C+ (77%) throughout the whole course or face course shifting. 

Career Opportunities: Management Associate, Manager, Supply Chain Manager

Electronics Engineering (BS ECE)

This course aims to provide graduates with knowledge on electronics in the following fields: radio and TV broadcasting, telecommunications, and other pertinent areas. They also will get extra learnings on digital signal processing and neural networks. 

In order to qualify or to stay in the course, there are no added metrics to do so. However, students who wish to finish this program must be able to combine and apply the principles of science and computer technology. These two in themselves are already quite difficult to come by. 

Career Opportunities: Electronics Engineer, Electronics Technician

Congratulations! You’ve completed your degree in one of the hardest courses in the Philippines? Now it’s time to kickstart your career so #LetsGetToWork!

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