12 Hardest Courses in Kenya

Ever wondered which is the Hardest Courses in Kenya? The hardest courses in Kenya are the ones that students find difficult to comprehend and apply the concepts learnt from the course to their daily lives

Since courses in Kenya have evolved with time, some degrees have become tough to crack. This article entails the list of the Hardest Courses in Kenya, the deciding factors for the hardest course in Kenya along with the details of the course.

Hardest Courses in Kenya

Assessing the difficulty of an academic programme is not ideal. It all depends on the learner, their objectives, and a lot of external and often uncontrollable factors.

Arguably, there is a huge correlation between the difficulty index of a course and career success. Generally, it seems like the harder the course one takes, the more likely they are to enjoy financial freedom in the future.

Let’s first have a look at some of the reasons that determines a course difficulty nature

Factors That Determines Course Difficulty

There are a couple of ways which suggest how hard a course can be in the long run. The factors which help to pick out the hardest courses in Kenya are listed below.

High Drop-out Rates: When the stress and need to cope with the speed of covering the exhaustive course modules grip students, they tend to drop out. When asked why most drop-outs opted to quit their courses, the most common reasons included the difficulty of the course and that they got a better course, along with other reasons.

Teaching Style: Apart from a vast syllabus, the teaching style at the universities also affects how a student comprehends the lessons. The grading criteria, course material and the academic expectations of students are other factors in this index.

Intensive Coursework: Several courses have a vast syllabus which requires students to put in more than 10 hours a day to keep their learnings and coursework on track. This leads to students calling out from their courses. Additionally, hard courses become even harder with the type of specialisation chosen.

Continuous Exams and Assessments: Some courses require regular assessments owing to their vast syllabus. This leads to exhausting the students. The never-ending quest to prepare and perform well in the exams takes a toll on their mental health.

Universities: Certain universities in Kenya have complicated education systems, which may also make degrees harder for students. The difficulty of a course may vary from university to university. Some universities have a more extensive course structure than others. This affects how the course will be delivered to students, the university’s ranking and the popularity of the course among students.

Admission Exams: Admissions to several courses require students to pass the entrance tests. The questions in these tests are made quite difficult to enrol only the most talented and knowledgeable students into the course, given the large number of applications received by the universities. These tests are so difficult that only a very few students pass them.

1. Pharmacy Courses

A pharmacy course is one of the hardest course in Kenya because it covers almost all major areas of Science, from Chemistry to Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Pharmacology.

Thus, all these topics are very tough in their terms, which further makes pharmacy courses some of the toughest ones in Kenya.

2. Actuarial Science

Actuarial Science is a course that encompasses many subjects. It requires a lot of work and continuous effort to perfect it. But one thing that makes it hard is the exam. As a student, you have to plan up to 300 hours to study for each exam. Without passing any of the exams, it becomes challenging for you to get a job.

A student that wants to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science needs at least a C+ (plus) at KCSE and a C+ in Mathematics. Alternatively, you need two principal passes in Mathematics or Physics, Mathematics or Chemistry, Mathematics or Geography, Mathematics or Economics at IGCE/GCE or KACE.

3. Architecture

Architecture is one of the most highly demanding courses in Kenya. One reason behind it is that it demands the ability of a student to think. The workload is high and requires that a learner should remember complex formulas.

Unlike many subjects, Architecture tends to introduce new techniques, technologies, methods, and materials. Every day, there is something new to learn, hence the reason it is challenging to study it.

As a student, you need a minimum mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE and at least a C+ in Mathematics, English or Kiswahili, Physics/Biology/Chemistry, or any Group III, Group IV, and Group V subjects.

4. Chemistry

Chemistry is one of the hardest courses in Kenya. It requires a lot of lab work that can take several hours to complete. Furthermore, Chemistry is a broad field that brings in knowledge from various sub-disciplines.

In other words, you must learn about organic, analytical, physical, inorganic, and biochemistry. None of these subjects is easy to do. Even if you find some topics easy, you will get one that will be so challenging in every way.

If you want to enrol for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in any Kenyan university, you need a mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE with at least a C+ in Chemistry and Mathematics. You also qualify if you have a Diploma in Physical Sciences with at least a credit from a Senate-recognised institution.

5. Computer Science

Computer Science is one of the hardest courses in Kenya. It has frustrating programming requirements. You will have to deal with a lot of Mathematics, Calculus, Discrete Mathematics, and Statistics. Also, the field is only ideal for those that are abstract thinkers and problem solvers.

A Diploma in Computer Science requires you to have a mean grade of C (plain) at KCSE with a C (plain) in Mathematics, Physics or Physical Sciences, and English/Kiswahili.

6. Engineering

Engineering and all its related programmes are the hardest to do. The courses prepare students to enter the workforce. That means students have to learn how to solve challenging problems and go through extensive studies. In most cases, it is the mathematics and workload that many learners struggle with when majoring in Engineering courses.

Electrical Engineering is the most marketable engineering course in Kenya. You can enrol for a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering if you have a mean grade of C+ (plus) at KCSE. Also, you need a C+ in Mathematics, Physic, Chemistry, English/Kiswahili, or Diploma in Engineering to qualify.

7. Neuroscience Courses

Neuroscience courses are the harest courses in Kenya. Neuroscience is all about the brain and its function. There are billions of aspects that one can learn about the brain thus, this is the reason why Neuroscience is the hardest course.

There are a lot of complex topics that form a part of Neuroscience which further makes it even more challenging. Since a lot of studies about the brain are published, Neuroscience backs them all up.

So if you are interested in learning about the human brain, its functions and applications and are ready for the challenge, then you can choose this course.

8. Law

Law courses are the hardest courses in Kenya. There is a plethora of literature available for students to study and pursue these courses. It is even more exhaustive to get a first-class degree in law than in other subjects, like medicine, finance, and technology.

Some of the things that make it challenging include the high volume of study, lots of abstract concepts, and the competitive nature of the profession that require excellent grades without which a graduate will have an agitating time getting a legal role.

The requirements for a Bachelor of Law degree are demanding. Students need a mean grade of B (plain) at KCSE, including a minimum of B in English. Alternatively, you can join if you have a mean grade of C- (minus) at KCSE and progressed from certificate to Diploma from a Senate recognised institution.

9. Quantum Physics Courses

A branch of Physics and one of the toughest ones in Kenya and in the world at large. Quantum Physics requires mathematical, computer science, and quantum lingo skills. It is about studying atoms and particles at the very basic level and applying the theories in the real world.

Of all scientific courses, Quantum Physics has been credited as the hardest course not only in Kenya but in the world.

10. Nursing

Nursing programmes are rigorous. They require many different types of classes, ample knowledge in Statistics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Students also undergo clinical studies, learn about human interaction and leadership, listening and communications skills, and nutrition, and psychology, among others.

It is intensive and requires hard work from a learner. Students need a C+ (plus) at KCSE with a C+ in English, Biology or Biological Sciences, Mathematics or Physics or Physical Sciences, and Chemistry to study Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

11. Data Science Courses

With a lot of technical skills, lots of data and an understanding of the science behind the data, this is the data science course, another toughest course on the list! There is a lot of programming, students have to learn different types of programming languages and put them into practical use.

Since data scientists are in high demand, more and more students opt for this course which is very challenging to complete and qualify

12. Medicine Courses

Medicine courses are the hardest courses in Kenya. These courses are challenging in their ways and demand students to think logically and get solutions to problems based on technicalities.

A lot happens in a medical student’s life – medicines, learning procedures, understanding what is the right medicine and what is not, practicals, watching live procedures, etc. These reasons make medicine courses the hardest ones of the lot.

To enrol for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Kenyan institutions, you need a minimum mean grade of B (plain) at KCSE and at least a B in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and English.

Alternatively, students need a Diploma in Medical Sciences and a minimum of O’ Level Division II pass or KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and a credit pass in selected cluster subjects.