| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Science in Geography |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Age | 22-27 |
| Subjects Required | BA with Geography or B.Sc with Geography |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% |
| Average Fees | ₹30K – 1 LPA |
| Similar Options of Study | MA (Geography), M.Sc (Marine Biology), M.Sc (Biology) etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 4 LPA [Source: Glassdoor] |
| Employment Roles | Research Fellow, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst, Geographer, Cartographer, Marine Geologists, Oceanographers, Lecturer, Operations Manager, Senior Executive Assistant etc |
| Top Recruiters | Research Institutes, Government Agencies, Private Companies, Schools, Colleges etc |
The Master of Science in Geography is the full form of M.Sc Geography. It is a two-year post-graduation that mainly focuses on training geographers to play active roles in this modern era. The students who have completed Bachelors in Geography can apply for the M.Sc Geography. According to Wikipedia, “Geography is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the Earth and planets. Geographers study the space and the temporal database distribution of phenomena, processes, and features as well as the interaction of humans and their environment. ”
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The students who want to do M.Sc in Geography must satisfy certain eligibility criteria in order to get admission. The minimum M.Sc in Geography course eligibility requirement includes, students must have pursued an undergraduate degree. No limit for age is the eligibility for M.Sc geography and the students are asked to appear for the entrance examinations conducted by several universities.
The Master Of Science in Geography students must satisfy some eligibility criteria to get admission to the university or an institution. The admission process is very similar to other courses that fall under the umbrella of M.Sc. The application form and its details for M.Sc Geo are both online and offline. The details for the M.Sc Geography admission process are given below:
M.Sc Geography course details are available on the university website. The candidates who are interested in M.Sc in Geography can fill the application form with all the necessary details. The post-graduation program admission is conducted via entrance exams offered by various universities and colleges. The candidates can also visit the university or college directly and collect the application form for the admission process.
The selection process for M.Sc Geography is done primarily on the basis of the aspiring students’ academic marks obtained while studying for the Bachelors’. Additionally, the entrance exam plays an important role in the final merit list for the students. The merit list is prepared with a list of shortlisted candidates and is notified on the respective websites of the universities.
For the M.Sc Geography candidates, the entrance exams are conducted for the students to obtain admissions. There are a possibility for national level, state level, or college level examinations to be conducted by some institutions. Some of the popular M.Sc In Geography entrance examinations are:
It is a must for the candidates who are interested in M.Sc in Geography to prepare well in advance. Timely preparation helps students in many ways while appearing for the entrance examinations. It is also important to know the exam syllabus and pattern.
M.Sc Geography colleges are located all across the country in different regions. Students can choose the best college depending upon their marks scored and specialization needed. Some of the top colleges for M.Sc Geography in India are listed below:
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The average fee structure for M.Sc in Geography is around INR 50,000- 1 LPA in private sectors whereas the average M.Sc Geography fee is INR 3,000-10,000 PA in public organizations. Here are some of the best colleges for M.Sc Geography in India providing admissions with a fee structure.
S.No | Name of the college | Average Course Fees |
1 | Presidency College, Chennai | INR 92,500 PA |
2 | Queen Mary’s College, Chennai | INR 62,200 PA |
3 | Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata | INR 34,267 PA |
4 | Nirmala College for Women, Coimbatore | INR 28,550 PA |
5 | S. S Jain Subodh PG College, Jaipur | INR 19,000 PA |
The M.Sc Geography duration is two years which has four semesters in it. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of geographical problems and methods, knowledge of theoretical debates within the discipline, and practical training in the use of geographical techniques. This program consists of both core and elective subjects. The course focuses on some of the core subjects, such as:
Read More About M.Sc Geography Syllabus & Subjects
Students often wonder about M.Sc Geography course details before choosing the course. Before deciding on a career, students come across queries like, “What is M.Sc in Geography?” and “Why choose M.Sc in Geography?”. To clearly understand answers to these questions, we have framed the following three pointers:
M.Sc Geography is a postgraduate degree program of 2 years that deals with the study of earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere and its relation with the people. The college students are taught to investigate the styles in all of the spheres, take a look at the ancient and current modifications withinside the natural environment, and research associated with the socio-cultural aspects, useful resource economy, and burning troubles like floods, deforestation, and environmental degradation on the local level.
The opportunities for M.Sc Geography graduates to get placed are higher in both public and private organizations. The M.Sc Geography graduates can get jobs such as GIS Analyst, Cartographer, Geoscientist, Urban and regional planner, and High school teacher.
Role of Geoscientist: Geoscientists usually have work in fields. They collect a few samples by traveling to a particular location and study it. By creating a regular record and aerial photographs, they keep updating their skills. They explore natural resources, observe and record natural hazards in the atmosphere to conduct research on it.
M.Sc in Geography can be a rewarding career for graduates as it trains students for exciting and successful careers in Geography. Geographers can work in many fields such as Pollution Control Boards, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Geological Survey of India.
Career Scope and Options: The M.Sc Geography graduates can work in government-run fields of urban and regional planning. They also have the opportunity to become a teacher in schools or as an assistant professor in colleges. They are majorly found in consulting firms to conduct geological innovative research.
Read More About M.Sc Geography Jobs
The M.Sc in Geography is an excellent career option for freshers and the candidates have to prepare well for the examinations before joining the course. Some of the important tips for students who wish to get admission in M.Sc Geography are:
Study About The Course: once the candidates find their interests, the first step is to identify the syllabus of the course. Then, do some research on the topics that are covered under the syllabus.
Improvise Your Skills: It is important for geologists to have knowledge of mathematics. Therefore, problem-solving and analytical skills should be developed to achieve a good performance all over the course. It is also advisable to enhance communication skills to get better opportunities in the future.
Be Proficient: The candidates should have the capabilities to get admission for post-graduation programs under physical and mental pressure and should have the ability to work in a team.
Similarly, the graduates can work as well as prepare for higher education in parallel. Obtaining higher education can help the students learn about subjects and topics in greater depth and detail. This can help them create a career in the research field. The higher studies that M.Sc Geography graduates can do are:
The average salary for an M.Sc Geography graduate is around INR 5-8 LPA [Source: PayScale]. The salary range increases with an increase in experience and skills. This salary can also be increased through higher education.
Read More About M.Sc Geography Salary
The graduates can work as a hydrologist, town planning, urban and regional planning, cartographer, Climate change analyst, geomorphologist, climatologist, geospatial analyst, etc. they could find job opportunities among various fields such as environmental management, geographic information systems, meteorology, urban planning, teaching, and research.
A few career options that an M.Sc Geography graduate would hold are:
M.Sc Geography graduates should develop good geographical skills and should be creative in bringing innovative ideas. Some necessary skills for M.Sc Geography graduates are:
The course deals with geoscience, geographic perception of space, resource and resource management, climate, topography, soil, vegetation types, etc. The M.Sc Geography course has been designed with the objective of making the students learn about the various perspectives of geoscience, natural resources, sustainable utilization and management, climatic regions, climate change, soil, and vegetation types. The semester wise M.Sc in Geography syllabus is:
Semester I | Semester II |
Modern Geographical Thought | Analytical Geomorphology |
Environmental Geography | Introduction to research in Geography |
Geography Information System | Remote Sensing |
Population Geography | Environment and Sustainability |
Semester III | Semester IV |
Contemporary Human Geography | Geographies of Disasters in Kerala |
Urban Geography | Climatology and Climate Change |
Introduction to Field Research In Geography | Social and Cultural Geography |
Ancient Geography of India | Dissertation |
The Master of Science in Geography subjects has been structured and designed in order to provide in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge in geography. The M.Sc Geography students are exposed to current events that lead to climate change and their consequences, and to suggest measures for sustainable resource and management. The M.Sc Geography subjects list is as follows:
The M.Sc Geography program includes core courses, optional/ elective courses, and interdisciplinary courses. Semester system and choice-based credit system are followed. Each semester includes four theory courses and one practical course. The same pattern is followed up to the third semester. The students have to undergo three theory courses and submit one dissertation at the end of the fourth semester. The course structure is as follows:
The M.Sc Geography students are exposed to virtual classes, PowerPoint presentations, e-content, e-library resources, etc. Experiential learning is facilitated through practical, field visits and projects. Interactive learning is facilitated through group discussion, quizzes, conferences, etc. Listed below are the teaching methodology and strategies in general:
The M.Sc Geography project is executed in the fourth semester on a specific topic in the subject under the guidance of the supervisor. After completion of the Project, the student has to submit the dissertation for evaluation. It helps the students to motivate them in the search, to enhance their curiosity, to get hands-on training and reporting.
The M.Sc Geography students have to follow the references prescribed by the concerned universities or autonomous colleges. It is available both online and offline for the students. Some of the popular M.Sc geography books are suggested below:
Name of the Books | Authors |
Introduction to Geography | Victoria Getis, Mark Bjelland |
Discovery of Sustainability | Margaret Robertson |
Geography-Realms, Regions, And concepts | Jan Nijmen, Peter O Muller, Micheal Shin |
A discovery of Geology And Earth Sciences | Micheal Allaby |
The M.Sc Geography course scope makes the student fit for employment in government and private organizations. They are fit for M.Sc Geography careers such as Climatologist, Environment Manager, Forest Manager, and career in government institutes. The M.Sc Geography course has a scope in India can also apply for civil service exams and ample opportunities for the teaching profession are available. Career options after M.Sc Geography are according to their specialization and skills. Some of the top M.Sc Geography job opportunities are:
The M.Sc Geography scope ranges from private to government institutions. The Master of Science in Geography career options may also extend to journalism particularly related to travel. The students can make their career after M.Sc Geography in some reputed organizations such as
According to PayScale, M.Sc Geography’s average salary in India is around INR 3-8 LPA. The salary range for the M.Sc Geography graduates may vary depending on their specialization and knowledge. Based on the position assigned, the graduates get varying salaries.
Job Roles | Average Annual Salary |
Forest Manager | INR 4.52 LPA |
Geo specialist | INR 5.36 LPA |
Climatologist | INR 3.59 LPA |
Cartographer | INR 5.50 LPA |
Teacher | INR 3.0 LPA |
Source: Glassdoor
The M.Sc Geography graduates in India get salaries ranging from INR 4-8 LPA [Source: Glassdoor]. There are a wide variety of jobs offered by the government to M.Sc Geography students. Some of the major recruiters are ISRO, NRSC, Tata Chemicals Ltd, NATMO Survey of India, and Bayer. Some government jobs for M.Sc Geography with salary are:
Job Roles | Average Annual Salary |
Assistant Professor | INR 3 LPA |
Geo Analyst Trainee | INR 5 LPA |
Content developer- Geography | INR 3 LPA |
Management trainee | INR 2 LPA |
Source: Payscale
They are provided with ample opportunities in both the private and public sectors. The graduates can also work in major consulting firms for conducting research. M.Sc Geography starting salary is around INR 4-6 LPA [Source: Glassdoor]. Some of the M.Sc Geography jobs in India with their salaries are:
Job Profile | Average Salary |
GIS Analyst | INR 2 LPA |
Cartographer | INR 3 LPA |
Urban and regional planner | INR 5.3 LPA |
High School Teacher | INR 3.5 LPA |
Source: Glassdoor
Even though the graduates of M.Sc in Geography have a limited number of opportunities, the knowledge on GIS opens many doors abroad. The Master of Science in geography jobs are plenty as they can work as cartographer, environment consultant, landscape architect, climate change analyst, teacher or lecturer, etc while preparing for their higher studies.. The graduates can also appear for the exams conducted by several institutions.
Check the list below for the top organizations that hire M.Sc Geography Graduates:
Below is the list of top countries offering job opportunities to M.Sc Geography graduates:
There are many interesting job profiles that attract M.Sc Geography graduates to work abroad:
A wide range of opportunities is available in the geography fields. There are many geography graduates who have made a good name for themselves owing to their education and research experience. Some of the top M.Sc Geography graduates are:
