What is BSc Geography?
The full form of BSc Geography is bachelor's in science in Geography. It is a three-year undergraduate course.
BSc Geography is the study of physical, human, and natural geography along with cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and geographical data analysis.
Further Reading: BSc in India
BSc Geography eligibility is 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with minimum 50% marks from a recognised board. The admission into this course is primarily done on Merit basis with some universities like Banaras Hindu University, opting for Entrance. Top entrance exams for this course are, SET, CUCET,CUET and NPAT.
The average fees for BSc Geography is INR 5,000 – 5 LPA and some of the top colleges that offer admission into BSc Geography are, Lovely Professional University, Kerala University, Goa University and Calicut University.
Also Read: BSc Courses after 12th
BSc Geography subjects include Geology, Oceanography, Soil Geography, Environmental Studies, Population Geography, Biogeography and Map Techniques.
For further studies, students can pursue MSc Geography, MA Geography and MPhil after the completion of BSc Geography.
BSc Geography jobs include Environmental Consultants, Urban Planner, Cartographer, Geographer, Disaster Management Specialist and GIS Analyst. BSc Geography salary ranges from INR 2 – 8 LPA. Some of the top recruiters for this course are Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Adani Group, Tata Group and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).
More BSc Courses:
- | - |
BSc Geography: Course Highlights
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | BSc Geography |
Course Level | Undergraduate |
Course Full Form | Bachelor in Science in Geography |
Course Duration | 3 Years |
Course Types | Full time/Distance Education |
Admission Process | Merit and Entrance Based |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with minimum 50% marks from a recognised board. |
Entrance Exams | |
Course Fees | INR 5,000 – 5 LPA |
Top Colleges | Lovely Professional University, Kerala University, Goa University and Calicut University. |
Average Salary in India | INR 2 – 8 LPA |
Job Profiles | Environmental Consultants, Urban Planner, Cartographer, Geographer, Disaster Management Specialist and GIS Analyst. |
Top Recruiters | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Adani Group, Tata Group and National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). |
Why Should you pursue BSc Geography?
There are several factors why pursuing a BSc Geography degree in India might be a wise choice. Given below are some of the factors:
- Career Opportunities and Growth: Graduates can find employment as geographers, environmental experts, cartographers, GIS analysts, data analysts, urban planners, and a wide variety of other positions in both private as well as government sectors.
- Practical Training: Field excursions, lab work, and research projects are frequently used in BSc Geography programmes.This enables learners to gain crucial abilities like data analysis, critical reasoning, and problem-solving.
- Interdisciplinary approach: Geography is a subject that integrates knowledge from a variety of disciplines, including geology, economics, sociology, and environmental science. As a result, a BSc Geography degree offers a well-rounded education that can be used in a variety of professions.
Also Read: MLT
Who Should pursue BSc Geography?
BSc Geography is a good choice for those who have a keen interest in the physical and human aspects of Earth, its landforms, climate, and people. However, it might be a good fit for the following potential candidates:
- Students who have completed 10+2 in science or arts and have a strong aptitude for mathematics, science, and social studies.
- Individuals interested in environmental issues and sustainability and want to contribute to the management and conservation of natural resources.
- A career in geography may be rewarding for students who appreciate discovering and analysing spatial patterns and data, using geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies.
BSc Geography: Course Types
BSc Geography is offered to students in two modes that can be pursued full-time or via distance education.
- BSc Geography Full-time: This course is designed in a systematic way and provides both theoretical and practical knowledge to the students. To build a strong foundation in BSc Geography, various aspects of the physical properties of Earth such as its climate, atmosphere, ecosystems, oceans, maps, soil, and biodiversity are covered.
- BSc Geography Distance Education: This option is available for students who cannot pursue this course on a full-time basis and require flexibility in choosing their study time. A candidate with this degree gets the same career opportunities as a regular student but this method of learning might not provide practical knowledge and focus heavily on theory.
BSc Geography: Course Fees
Some of the top Colleges/Universities offering BSc Geography full-time along with their fees is given below:
Name of the College/University | Location | Course Fees |
North Goa | INR 13,515 | |
Jalandhar | INR 53,200 | |
Varanasi | INR 4,400 | |
Thiruvananthapuram | INR 9,000 | |
Salem | INR 16,100 | |
Calicut | INR 39,000 | |
Kolkata | INR 2,400 | |
Jaipur | INR 1,17,500 |
BSc Geography: Distance Education
BSc Geography distance education is a great option for students who need the freedom to choose when to study and are unable to take this course full-time. Given below are some of the key highlights of this course:
- Candidates who have passed their 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with minimum 45% marks from a recognised board.
- BSc Geography distance education course in India generally takes three years to complete, although some universities may offer longer duration programs.
- BSc Geography distance education curriculum is the same as a full-time course and covers topics related to physical, human, and environmental geography.
- The study material for a distance education program in India is provided through printed books, e-books, and online resources.
- Students are required to complete assignments and appear for exams as part of the distance education BSc Geography program.
Some of the top Colleges/Universities that offer BSc Geography distance education along with their fees is given below:
Name of the College/University | Location | Course Fees |
Delhi NCR | INR 15,900 | |
Raipur | INR 61,000 | |
Jaipur | INR 40,000 | |
Madurai | INR 5,000 | |
Jaipur | INR 14,700 |
BSc Geography: Admission Process
It is highly recommended that aspirants score well in their high school examinations because admission into this course is mainly done through merit lists. However, some universities such as Banaras Hindu University do conduct one at their college level to select candidates. The applications and the admission procedure for this course normally begin in the month of May.
BSc Geography Admission: Merit Based
- An aspirant should score more than 50% marks in their high school examinations to be applicable for merit-based admission.
- Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
- Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents (10th and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card, Photographs etc.) in hand.
- Merit lists are usually updated on the official website of the colleges and need to be checked regularly by the aspirant.
- If selected, the aspirant can pay the required fees and the admission process will be complete.
- Finally, candidates must attend the counseling or orientation organised by the institution for further details, if selected from the merit list.
BSc Geography Admission: Entrance Based
- Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
- The application form will require the candidate to register themselves with an email ID, password, and mobile number along with academic and course details.
- The candidate is required to upload the necessary documents online, such as Photograph, 10th, and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card etc.)
- Once the form is complete, the candidate will be asked to pay a minimal amount of application fee.
- It is advised to check the website regularly for updates on the admit card, entrance exam and entrance exam syllabus.
- Admit cards will be issued to all the eligible students which will have important information such as the date of the examination, examination center and timings.
- The college/university will then publish lists according to their cut off and seat availability.
- If selected, a candidate should pay the course fee as soon as possible and attend the orientation/counselling organised by the college for further information.
BSc Geography: Eligibility
- 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with minimum 50% marks from a recognised board for BSc Geography Full-Time.
- 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with minimum 45% marks from a recognised board for BSc Geography Distance Education.
- The minimum age for this course is 17 years.
BSc Geography: Entrance Exams
There is no distinct entrance exam conducted for BSc Geography because admission into this course is done through merit taking into consideration the marks scored by candidates in their high school. Nevertheless, some universities conduct one at their level to filter out applicants.
Given below are the details of some of the entrance exams conducted by various universities along with their details:
Name of the Exam | Registration Date | Exam Dates |
December 10 – April 12, 2023 | May 06, 2023 (Test 1) | |
November 28 - May 30, 2023 | November 28 - May 30, 2023 | |
April 2023 | May 21 – 31, 2023 | |
December 01, 2022 – May 21, 2023 | January 04, 2023 – May 31, 2023 |
BSc Geography: Entrance Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for BSc Geography entrance exam may vary university to university, however given below are a few topics that may be included in the exam:
Topic | Sub-Topics |
Physical Geography | Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography, Biogeography, and Environmental Geography. |
Human Geography | Economic Geography, Political Geography, Social Geography, Cultural Geography, and Population Geography. |
Environmental Geography | Environmental Pollution, Natural Resource Management, and Conservation. |
Cartography | Map Projection, Map Scale, Map Symbols, and Remote Sensing. |
Geographical Thoughts | Philosophical, Historical, and Methodological Foundations of Geography. |
Geographic Information System (GIS) | Introduction to GIS, Data Models, Data Input, Analysis, and Output. |
Further Reading: Top BSc Geography Colleges in India
BSc Geography: Syllabus
The course is divided into 6 Semesters which must be covered in 3 years. The syllabus of BSc Geography will vary from college to college; however, a brief of the syllabus is given in the following table:
BSc Geography Syllabus: 1st Year | |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Fundamentals of Physical Geography | Human Geography |
Fundamentals of Cartography and | Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and GIS |
Computer Applications in Geography | Regional Geography of India |
Environmental Studies | Thematic Cartography |
Mathematical Techniques in Geography | Practical - I |
BSc Geography Syllabus: 2nd Year | |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
Physical Geography - II | Human Geography - III |
Human Geography - II | Regional Planning and Development |
Economic and Political Geography | Climatology |
Principles of Remote Sensing and GIS | Field Work and Research Methodology |
Practical – II | Practical - III |
BSc Geography Syllabus: 3rd Year | |
Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
Environmental Geography and Natural Resource Management | Geographical Thought and Research Methodology |
Geographical Information System and Database Management | Applied Geography |
Advanced Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation | Disaster Management and Environmental Hazards |
Distribution of Maps and Diagrams | Evolution of Geographical Thoughts |
Practical – IV | Practical - V |
BSc Geography: Recommended Books
Given below are the names of some recognised books along with their authors in the field of Geography that a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course:
Name of the Book | Author's Name |
Physical Geography | Savindra Singh |
Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems | Michael DeMers |
Human Geography | Majid Hussain |
Cartography | R. Ananthanarayanan |
Geographical Thought | Majid Hussain |
Regional Planning in India | M. M. Rahman |
Economic Geography | Rupa Publisher |
Remote Sensing and GIS | Anji Reddy Mareddy |
Environmental Geography | S. K. Mishra |
BSc Geography: Top Colleges in India
Name of the College/University | Course Fees |
INR 39,000 | |
INR 13,515 | |
INR 53,200 | |
INR 1,20,000 | |
INR 2,00,000 | |
INR 4,400 | |
INR 9,000 | |
INR 90,000 | |
INR 5,000 | |
INR 16,100 | |
INR 2,400 | |
INR 1,17,500 | |
INR 1,00,000 | |
INR 15,900 | |
INR 61,000 | |
INR 40,000 | |
INR 50,000 | |
INR 14,700 |
Also Read: Top BSc Colleges in India
Course Comparison: BSc Geography vs BA Geography
Features | BSc Geography | BA Geography |
Course Name | Bachelor of Science in Geography | Bachelor of Arts in Geography |
Overview | This course focuses on scientific and technical aspects of Geography. | This course focuses on the social, cultural, and human aspects of Geography |
Course Level | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
Course Types | Full-time/Distance Education | Full-time/Distance Education |
Course Syllabus | Earth Science, Geology, Cartography, GIS, and Remote Sensing. | Human Geography, Cultural Geography, Economic Geography and Political Geography. |
Average Course Fee | INR 5,000 – 5 LPA | INR 3,000 –3 LPA |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with minimum 50% marks from a recognised board. | 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with minimum 50% marks from a recognised board. |
Admission Process | Merit and Entrance Based | Merit and Entrance Based |
Top Colleges | Lovely Professional University, Kerala University, Goa University and Calicut University. | Miranda House, Fergusson College, Banasthali University and Aligarh Muslim University. |
Average Salary | INR 2 – 8 LPA | INR 1.2 – 10 LPA |
Scope | This course is suited to build a career in scientific or technical fields of geography such as GIS, Environmental Science and Geology. | This course is suited to build a career in social science or humanities fields such as Urban Planning and International Relations. |
BSc Geography: Jobs and Salary
There are various job profiles available for individuals with a BSc Geography degree in India. Some of the popular job profiles along with their description and average salary are given below:
Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary |
Geographer | A geographer researches about earth's physical features, including its landscapes, climate, resources, and population trends. | INR 5 LPA |
Cartographer | A cartographer makes maps and charts that accurately and clearly depict topographical information. | INR 3 LPA |
GIS Specialist | A specialist in geographic information systems (GIS) develops and uses GIS databases, conducts spatial analysis, and produces maps and other geographic data visualisations. | INR 2.5 LPA |
Urban Planner | An urban planner designs and manages the development of cities and other urban areas. | INR 5 LPA |
Remote Sensing Analyst | A remote sensing analyst gathers information about the surface of the earth using satellite imagery and other remote sensing tools. | INR 4 LPA |
Environmental Consultant | An environmental consultant advises organizations on environmental issues and helps them comply with environmental regulations. | INR 4.5 LPA |
Conservation Scientist | A conservation scientist works to protect and preserve natural resources and ecosystems. | INR 3 LPA |
BSc Geography: Top Recruiters
After completing BSc Geography, graduates can apply to both private as well as public sector companies for job opportunities. Given below is a list of the top recruiters of this course:
Recruiter's Name | Average Salary |
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) | INR 3 LPA |
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) | INR 2 LPA |
Wildlife institute of India (WII) | INR 3.3 LPA |
Adani Group | INR 4 – 6 LPA |
Tata Group | INR 7 LPA |
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) | INR 3.4 LPA |
Indian Council of Forestry | INR 2.4 – 3 LPA |
BSc Geography: Scope
BSc Geography graduates in India have various options for further studies. Some of the popular courses after the completion of this degree are:
- Master of Science in Geography (MSc Geography)
- Master of Arts in Geography (MA Geography)
- Master of Technology in Geoinformatics (MTech)
- Master of Business Administration in Environmental Management (MBA)
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)