In the pursuit of enhancing career prospects, an increasing number of students are opting to pursue higher education abroad. Beyond selecting the right courses and universities, choosing a suitable country becomes crucial. Education systems worldwide exhibit varying levels of rigour, influenced by factors such as cultural norms, governmental policies, and economic conditions. Some countries impose longer schooling durations or demand more academically rigorous standards.
A list compiled by MastersDegree.net shows the world’s toughest education systems, considering factors such as structural design, the prominence of challenging examinations, tertiary education prevalence, prevalent degrees, student stress levels, top college acceptance rates, and national average IQ scores.
South Korea
Education System: South Korea’s schooling structure consists of four main stages: six years in elementary school, three years in middle school, three years in high school, followed by either four years at a university or two to three years at a junior college. The academic year typically commences in March, with a second semester starting in late August.
Most Challenging Exam: The Suneung, a rigorous college entrance test lasting eight hours, is renowned for its difficulty. Its outcome significantly influences university admissions, career prospects, and even personal relationships.
Student Stress Levels: Approximately 35.6% of South Korean students reported experiencing stress within a two-week period, with higher stress levels among college students and those beyond.
Popular Degrees: Arts and sciences, alongside business courses, are favoured by most South Korean students, with higher education completion rates steadily rising.
Top College Acceptance Rate: Seoul National University, a prestigious institution, admits around 15% of applicants annually.
Finland
Education System: Finland follows a 9-3-3 structure, beginning with nine years of compulsory schooling, followed by three years each of upper secondary and higher education.
Most Challenging Exam: The Finnish Matriculation Examination evaluates students’ acquired knowledge and skills after completing high school, facilitating access to further education.
Student Stress Levels: Finnish university students report higher levels of mental health issues compared to other demographics.
Popular Degrees: Information Technology and International Business Logistics are among the sought-after fields, with tertiary education rates showing a steady increase.
Top College Acceptance Rate: The University of Helsinki admits around 17% of applicants.
Singapore
Education System: Singapore’s education journey starts with six years of primary schooling, followed by four to six years of secondary education and one to three years of postsecondary education.
Most Challenging Exam: The Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level exam poses significant challenges to students, with impressive success rates in recent years.
Student Stress Levels: A considerable majority of young respondents reported heightened stress levels in recent surveys.
Popular Degrees: Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences remain popular choices for tertiary education.
Top College Acceptance Rate: The National University of Singapore admits around 16% of applicants.
China
Education System: China’s education system encompasses six years of elementary, three years of middle, and three years of high school education.
Most Challenging Exam: The Gaokao serves as the national college entrance exam, attracting millions of participants annually.
Student Stress Levels: Research indicates elevated stress levels among Chinese college students, contrasting with previous findings.
Popular Degrees: Clinical Medicine, International Economics and Trade, and Computer Science and Technology are favored disciplines.
Top College Acceptance Rate: Peking University boasts a highly competitive acceptance rate for domestic students (1%) but is relatively more accessible to international applicants (15%).
Japan
Education System: Japanese students undergo six years of elementary education, followed by three years of lower secondary and three years of upper secondary schooling.
Most Challenging Exam: The National Center Test for University Admissions is a pivotal assessment for aspiring university students.
Student Stress Levels: A significant proportion of Japanese students experience stress during their academic journey.
Popular Degrees: Economics, Business, and Science and Technology are among the favored fields of study.
Top College Acceptance Rate: Prestigious universities in Japan often feature low acceptance rates.
Hong Kong
Education System: Hong Kong’s educational journey starts with six years of primary, followed by three years of junior and senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary schooling.
Most Challenging Exam: The HKDSE, known for its difficulty, serves as the main examination for Form 6 students.
Student Stress Levels: Stress prevalence among Hong Kong students remains notable.
Popular Degrees: Architecture, Commerce, Business, Engineering, and Health Care are among the popular choices.
Top College Acceptance Rate: The University of Hong Kong maintains an acceptance rate of approximately 37%.
Taiwan
Education System: Taiwan’s educational structure spans six years of elementary, three years each of junior and senior high school, and four years of tertiary education.
Most Challenging Exam: The GSAT evaluates high school students’ readiness for college, covering various subjects.
Student Stress Levels: School-related factors significantly contribute to stress among Taiwanese students.
Popular Degrees: Engineering, Technology, and Social Sciences attract considerable interest.
Top College Acceptance Rate: The University of Taipei features a 50% admission rate.
South Africa
Education System: South Africa’s education journey includes four years of primary, three years of lower and upper secondary, and tertiary education spanning three years.
Most Challenging Exam: The National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams serve as a significant assessment, marking the culmination of twelve years of formal education.
Student Stress Levels: Mental distress prevalence among South African students is notable.
Popular Degrees: Business, Economics, and Health-related fields remain popular choices.
Top College Acceptance Rate: The University of Cape Town admits around 50% of applicants.
United States
Education System: The US education system comprises thirteen years of formal education, including kindergarten, twelve years of primary and secondary, and optional higher education.
Most Challenging Exam: The GRE serves as a standardized test for graduate program admissions, assessing readiness for advanced academic work.
Student Stress Levels: A substantial portion of American students report stress during their academic pursuits.
Popular Degrees: Business, Health, and Social Sciences attract significant interest.
Top College Acceptance Rate: Prestigious institutions like Harvard University maintain highly competitive admission rates.
Russia
Education System: Russia’s education journey involves four years of primary, four of basic secondary, two of full secondary, and four of tertiary education.
Most Challenging Exam: The Unified State Exam (EGE) is mandatory for high school graduates seeking further education.
Student Stress Levels: Stress levels among Russian students are noteworthy.
Popular Degrees: Business, Finance, Engineering, and Area Studies garner considerable interest.
Top College Acceptance Rate: Leading universities like Moscow State University feature competitive admission rates.
Methodology
Evaluation criteria include education system structure, toughest national exam, tertiary education prevalence, popular degree programs, student stress prevalence, national IQ scores, and top college acceptance rates.
