Education systems around the world differ greatly in the demands that they make on students. Many countries boast highly challenging curricula, while others may not be as rigorous or complex. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the 15 most difficult education systems in the world.
We’ll investigate which countries have the harshest requirements and why.
1. Finland
Finland is widely respected for its education system, having been consistently well-ranked in international surveys. Students in Finland have to take a huge number of exams, with the Finnish Matriculation Exam being particularly feared for its difficulty.
These exams are incredibly challenging, and those who pass them are rewarded with access to higher education. The move to a more holistic type of schooling has been praised by many, with Finland providing additional attention to students’ physical and mental wellbeing.
2. Japan
Studying in Japan is tough. As well as having to prove their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, students must demonstrate their mastery of the language itself.
This is achieved through frequent assessments, making graduating from school in Japan incredibly arduous. The number of teaching hours is also incredibly high, which helps ensure that students are as well-prepared as possible for the highly competitive university entrance examinations.
3. South Korea
South Korea is known around the world for its strict education system. Students in South Korea are required to study for long hours and are expected to demonstrate an exceptional level of knowledge in multiple languages and subject areas. South Korea’s aggressive approach to educating its students has been partially attributed to the country’s dramatic rise to prominence in the modern era.
4. Singapore
Singapore may be small, but it’s a global leader in education. Students in Singapore are held to extremely high standards, and they must demonstrate an impressive level of knowledge of both academic and practical subjects. In addition, the country’s education system places a strong emphasis on math and science, leaving those who struggle in those areas at a distinct disadvantage.
5. India
India’s education system is incredibly competitive and demanding. To be accepted into college, students must demonstrate an impressive level of knowledge and academic performance in various subjects. India is also notoriously strict when it comes to grading, with small mistakes having a significant impact on a student’s performance.
6. Ireland
Irish students are held to incredibly high standards, and must pass numerous examinations to demonstrate their proficiency in various subjects. Furthermore, students must also participate in co-curricular activities to demonstrate their talents and abilities in other areas.
This makes it very difficult for those with limited or no financial resources or other hindrances to succeed in.
7. Russia
The Russian education system is highly ambitious, with students being expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field of study. The country places a high emphasis on mathematics and science; however, those who struggle in those areas may be left at a significant disadvantage as they may struggle to keep up with the demands of their peers.
8. Israel
Israel has a very demanding educational system, with students being expected to demonstrate an above-average level of understanding of the various subject areas. In addition, students must also partake in various extracurricular activities to demonstrate their capabilities outside of the classroom.
9. Canada
The Canadian education system is surprisingly demanding, with students having to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of various subject areas. In addition, Canadian schools can often be quite competitive, with students having to rely on academic achievements and extracurricular activities to stand out from the crowd.
10. Switzerland
Switzerland’s educational system is considered to be one of the world’s toughest. Switzerland has long been known for its rigorous academic standards, and its school system expects students to not only be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of their subject material but also to possess effective study habits.
Furthermore, Switzerland’s education system is heavily reliant on recommendations, making it hard for those without the right connections to succeed.
11. China
China has a reputation for having a difficult educational system. Students in China are expected to perform exceptionally well academically and must pass numerous exams to demonstrate their proficiency.
In addition, the country’s education system is heavily based on memorization and rote learning, with those who struggle in such areas often unable to keep up with the high demands.
12. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is well known for its rigorous education system, with students being expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of their chosen subjects. In addition to standard academic courses, the country also requires students to take part in extracurricular activities, such as sports, to further demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
13. Portugal
The educational system in Portugal is not particularly renowned or feared. That said, the country does have a varied and challenging set of requirements that students must meet in order to qualify for college.
In addition, Portugal’s education system also places a heavy emphasis on extracurricular activities, with students having to prove their abilities in areas such as sports or music.
14. France
France has a complicated educational system that’s incredibly imposing for students. The country not only places a massive emphasis on achieving academic excellence, but also on developing skills outside of the classroom.
As such, students must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the various subject areas and must be able to show aptitude in other areas such as sports and languages.
15. Germany
The German education system is perhaps the most rigorous in the world. Students in the country must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the various subject areas, as well as a mastery of the language itself.
In addition, Germany’s schools place a heavy emphasis on extracurricular activities and the development of practical skills. Conclusion: The education systems of the 15 countries listed above are known for being some of the most challenging in the world. Students attending these schools are expected to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of various subject areas, as well as the ability to demonstrate their capabilities in other areas such as sports or music.
Those who are successful in completing their schooling in these countries can expect to find success in their education and post-educational life.