It depends entirely on where you are thinking of going. I know some people "further down the league table" (whatever people may say, a fairly accurate indication of university quality) disagree, but work in the 'higher' universities is far more difficult. I don't go to Oxbridge or anything, but I go to a fairly decent university and know from experience talking to friends who take my course at a 'lesser' university that my first year knowledge dwarfed their second year knowledge.
If you're going to a higher university, then the workload will be painful, but worth it. If you go to a lower university, then the workload will be difficult, but probably less complicated. Neither will be a walk in the park, however.