Updated November 10, 2022
MSc Geography or Master of Science in Geography is a two-year postgraduate program pursued after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in geography. The program involves an in-depth study of the earth and its relation with humans and their impact, covering topics such as description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth’s surface.
To be eligible for applying to this Postgraduate course, the aspirants must be a bachelor’s degree holder in geography with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks from a recognized university. Admissions to the program in most colleges are made either based on the merit of the qualifying degree or performance in the postgraduate entrance examination conducted by the respective institute.
Colleges/universities offering BSc Geography Courses are innumerable in India. Some top institutes for this UG program include Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi), Jadavpur University (Kolkata), Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi), etc. The average fee for the course in India stands around INR 20K to 1 lakh per annum, depending on the type of institution candidates have selected for admission.
Major MSc Geography Course Details
The table below presents the key highlights of the Master of Science in Geography course. So, check out the below to get an overview of the program.
| Course Name | MSc Geography |
| Course level | Postgraduate |
| Full-form | Master of Science in Geography |
| Course Duration | Two-years |
| Examination Type | Semester-wise |
| Minimum Eligibility | Bachelors of Science in Geography with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks from a recognized university. |
| Admission Process | Merit-based or Entranced-based |
| Average Course Fees | INR 20K to 1 LPA |
| Average Initial Salary | INR 2 to 8 LPA |
| Areas of employment | Academic institutions, Pollution Control Boards, Forestry & Environmental Consultancy, Indian Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Geological Survey of India, Ground Water Survey & Development Agency, Petroleum Sector, Coal industry, etc. |
| Top Job Positions | Lecturer, Research fellow, Geographic Information systems (GIS) analyst, Geographer, Cartographer, Marine Geologist, Oceanographer, Operations Manager, Senior executive assistant, etc. |
M.Sc. Geography Admission Process
The admission process for the MSc Geography program varies according to the institution. Admissions to the program in most BSc Geography colleges are either based on the merit obtained by the candidates in qualifying degrees (BSc in Geography) or performance in the postgraduate entrance examination conducted by the respective institute/universities.
M.Sc. in Geography Eligibility Criteria
Candidates aspiring to pursue MSc in Geography must fulfill the specific criteria. Discussed below are the minimum eligibility criteria that must be met by the aspirants to be eligible for the program.
- Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree in Geography (like BA in Geography or BSc in Geography).
- They should have also scored at least 50% marks in their bachelor’s program from a recognized university.
Top MSc Geography Colleges in India
Listed below are some of the most reputed institutions which offer Master of Science in Geography courses in India.
- University of Delhi, Delhi
- Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- Ravenshaw University, Cuttack
- Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
- Osmania University, Hyderabad
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Visva Bharati University, West Bengal
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
- Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar
- Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, Kanpur
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Baroda
Popular MSc Geography Entrance Exams
No specific or common entrance exam is conducted for admission to the MSc Geography course. The colleges/Institutes that follow entranced-based admission procedures conduct their own exam for selecting candidates for the program.
- PUBDET:- Presidency University Bachelor Degree Entrance Test
- BHU PET:- Banaras Hindu University Post Graduate Entrance Test
- APU UG NET:- Azim Premji University Undergraduate National Entrance
- TS EAMCET:- Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical Common Entrance Test
Master of Science in Geography Syllabus
The table below presents the semester-wise MSc Geography syllabus in detail. Some subjects might vary from college to college, but the core of the syllabus remains almost the same in nearly every college offering the course.
Particulars of MSc Geography Syllabus
| Semesters | Subjects/Topics of Study |
| Semester I | Dynamic Geography |
| Economic Geography | |
| Geographical Thought I | |
| Men and Natural Environment | |
| Quantitative Techniques in Geography | |
| Semester II | Geographical Thought II |
| Climatology & Oceanography | |
| Men and Natural Environment | |
| Quantitative Techniques in Geography | |
| Principles and Theory of Economic Geography | |
| Semester III | Urban Geography |
| Regional Planning | |
| Political Geography | |
| Research Methodology | |
| Agricultural Geography | |
| Advanced Geography in India | |
| Disaster Perception and Management | |
| Water Resource and their Management | |
| Semester IV | Climatology |
| Biogeography | |
| Applied Geography | |
| Industrial Geography | |
| Agricultural Geography | |
| Geography of Rajasthan | |
| Fundamentals of Remote Sensing | |
| Water Resource and their Management |
Scope after M.Sc. Geography Course
Career prospects for MSc Geography graduates are huge in various areas of employment, including Academic institutions Pollution Control Boards, Forestry & Environmental Consultancy, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Geological Survey of India, etc. The graduates can work in the capacities such as a cartographer, urban & regional planners, geospatial analysts, climate change analysts, environmental consultants, conservation officers, landscape architects, teachers/lecturers, etc.
After completing the MSc in Geography, one can continue further studies in the related disciplines. Some top options for higher studies include MPhil in Geography, Ph. D. in Geography, etc.
Graduates can also make careers in the government sector after cracking competitive exams like UPSC and SSC, conducted by the state and central government departments. Through these competitive examinations, they can be hired in Telecom, Educational sector, Military services, etc. One interested in the academic profession can apply for the NET exam conducted by UGC to work as an assistant lecturer.
MSc Geography Jobs and Career Options
MSc Geography graduates can explore employment opportunities in both the public and private workforces. The areas of employment for the graduates include Academic institutions, Pollution Control Boards, Forestry & Environmental Consultancy, the Ministry of Environment & Forest, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Geological Survey of India, the Ground Water Survey and Development Agency, Indian Bureau of Mines, Petroleum Sector, Coal Industry, etc. Some job profiles that candidates can aspire to after the MSc Geography course are listed below.
- GIS Analyst
- Hydrologist
- Geoscientist
- Cartographer
- Location analyst
- Geomorphologist
- Geospatial analyst
- High School Teacher
- Climate Change Analyst
- Urban and regional planner
- Emergency Management Specialist
Graduate of MSc Geography Salary in India
The average initial salary for MSc Geography graduates in India stands around INR 5 to 8 Lakh per annum, depending on factors like expertise, job location, organizations of working, etc. The salary range of the graduates increases with an increase in experience and skill sets. Obtaining a higher degree education in a related field of study is also a way to increase your salary and job positions. Listed are some popular job profiles after MSc Geography with average salary trends.
- GIS Analyst:- INR 3 lakh Per Annum
- Cartographer:- INR 3 Lakh Per Annum
- Geoscientist:- INR 18 Lakh Per Annum
- High School Teacher:- INR 4 Lakh Per Annum
- Urban and regional planner:- INR 6 Lakh Per Annum
FAQs on Master of Science in Geography Course
Ans:- As its name suggests, an MA or ‘Master of Arts’ is usually awarded in an Arts or Humanities subject. At the same time, with an MSc or ‘Master of Science, you will typically study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subject.
Ans:- Some top job opportunities available after completing an MSc in Geography are Cartographer, Climatologist, Geospatial analyst, Environment Manager, Demographer, National Park Manager, Geomorphologist, Hydrologist, etc.
Ans:- Yes, you can pursue Masters in Geography after completing a bachelor of science. Master in Geography is a two years post-graduate degree, and the minimum eligibility criteria for the course shall be a bachelor’s degree in geography with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized university.