MA Geography is a postgraduate degree course of 2 years. This course involves the study of Earth Sciences including physical, regional and economic aspects through an advanced academic exploration.
The course undertakes both theoretical and practical understanding of the earth's surface, landforms, and the environment concerning both regional and universal level.
Around 25,600 students enroll in MA Geography courses in India every year. The amount of intake varies according to colleges and universities. In order to be eligible to apply to this course, students must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geography with an aggregate of at least 50% marks from a recognized university. See also: MA Geography Syllabus
Admission to this course will be done either on the basis of the performance of candidates in the entrance exams conducted by the admission authorities or based on the candidate’s performance in the Bachelor's degree exams. See Also: MA Admission Process
The tuition fees for enrolling in MA Geography courses vary as per university. The average annual course fees generally vary between INR 2,000 and INR 1,00,000.
The students of MA Geography can get jobs in profiles such as Geographer, Cartographer, Agricultural Specialist, Demographer, Professor, and Researcher with an average annual salary ranging between INR 3,00,000 and INR 8,00,000.
On completion of this course, students can pursue higher studies and advanced academic exploration along with research through M.Phil Geography and PhD Geography courses. This course essentially provides a solid basis for further studies and related prospects.
The course highlights of MA Geography course is provided in the table given below :
| Course Level | Post-graduation |
| Full-Form | Master of Arts in Geography |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Examination type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Graduation with Honours in Geography or Geography as one of the subjects with a minimum aggregate score of 50% from a recognized Indian College or University |
| Admission Process | Merit/Entrance-Based |
| Average Annual Course Fee | INR 2,000 - INR 1,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 - INR 8,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Sectors | Public and Private sectors, Academic Institutions, Research Organizations, Mining Industry, Resource Development Industry, Forest Service, Agricultural Research Agencies, NGOs etc. |
| Job Positions | Agricultural Specialist, Geographer, Cartographer, Demographer, Forest Manager, Professor, Teacher etc. |
MA Geography is a comprehensive post-graduate degree course for students who want to study the physical features of Earth Sciences along with its related human activities through academic exploration.
- This course offers a comprehensive understanding of the human aspects of understanding about the physical, regional, and economic features of the earth's geographical dimensions.
- The course focuses on both theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding.
- MA Geography program concentrates on the social science aspect of Geography. It involves the thorough study of Human Geography and exploring the relationship of human beings with the created environment, management and utility of the space.
- This course is essentially job oriented that incorporates an overall understanding of the discipline but from the perspective of social science.
- This course involves an advanced academic exploration of the earth’s surface, essence and composition.
Why Should You Study MA Geography?
There are many benefits of pursuing a MA Geography course. The main benefits of pursuing this program are as follows:
- Through the comprehensive curriculum, this course imparts in the students a thorough understanding of the relationships between human activities and the natural world.
- With the help of this course students will be able to learn, collect and analyze information before coming to a reasoned conclusion.
- MA Geography provides a basis for higher studies and opportunities for advanced academic exploration and research through M.Phil, PhD courses.
- The course is particularly job-oriented. After completion of this course, students have various options to pursue a career in a wide array of fields in both the public and private sectors.
- MA Geography degree holders will be able to find jobs as Agricultural Specialist, Geographer, Cartographer, Demographer, Forest Manager, Professor etc.
- The average MA Geography salary in India ranges from INR 3,00,000 to 8,00,000 per annum currently.
What is the Admission Process for MA Geography?
The MA Geography Admission Process can vary as per the university rules and regulations. Some universities grant admission to students in MA Geography course based on merit. Some of the top-most Indian universities prefer conducting entrance exams to grant admission to qualified candidates.
The admission procedures followed in the Indian universities for admission to MA Geography course are given below.
Merit-based admission
In merit-based admission, the universities offering MA Geography grant admission to students based on their marks obtained in the graduation level.
Entrance-Based Admission
The steps of the entrance-based admission are provided below:
- Registration: Students have to register for the entrance test by providing their email address, mobile number and password after which a login id will be created.
- Filling up of application form: On creation of login id, candidates are required to enter the required information correctly.
- Uploading of documents: In this step, candidates have to upload the necessary documents such as photograph, signature, id proof, Class 10 and 12 certificates, Bachelor’s degree etc.
- Application Fee: On uploading the requisite documents, students have to pay the requisite amount of application fee online.
- Issuing of Admit Card: Based on the details submitted by the students, the admission authority will issue the admit cards to the eligible students.
- Entrance Examination: After getting the admit card, exam dates will be released by different conducting bodies. Candidates have to sit for the entrance test and qualify the same to get admission.
- Declaration of Result: In the final stage, admission authorities will release the results of the entrance test they have appeared for.
- Enrolment: Successful candidates will then be allotted seats to the respective institutes.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Admission to MA Geography?
The minimum eligibility criteria for students who want to pursue an MA Geography from Indian universities are given below :
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geography or in any discipline with Geography as one of the subjects.
- Must have secured an aggregate of at least 50% marks in the Bachelor’s degree examination.
Is There Any Entrance Exam for Admission to MA Geography course?
Many premier Indian universities conduct entrance exams for MA Geography admissions. The entrance exams conducted thus vary according to the respective universities. Some of the most sought-after entrance examinations are:
How to Prepare for MA Geography entrance exams?
Candidates are advised to follow the below mentioned points to score well in the entrance examination: .
- As entrance examinations vary from one university to another, it is recommended that students prepare for a list of target universities and their relevant admission tests.
- Knowledge of the relevant entrance examination and their respective patterns and syllabus will enable the candidate to prepare for the entrance exam more solemnly.
- Aspirants must have a good knowledge and a thorough understanding of the concepts related to Geography.
- The students must have a clear idea of the concepts and syllabus of the relevant entrance tests.
- Following the rules and regulations of the relevant examinations is another important point that the candidates have to keep in mind while attempting the entrance tests. Not paying heed to the guidelines can result in disqualification or such other unappreciative circumstances.
How to get Admission in a Good MA Geography College?
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Students can get a confirmed seat in a good college if they have a sound academic record in post graduation and also on the basis of your performance in various national or state level entrance tests. The greater the score, the better will be the chances of getting admission in the top colleges across India.
Check the full list of Top MA Geography Colleges in India.
- To succeed in the tough competition of cracking the entrance exams, students must have a proper understanding of the pattern, syllabus and the concepts related to the discipline.
- Many universities across India grant admission to students based on their merit or marks obtained in the graduation level. So the students must have a high aggregate score at the graduation level.
- Some universities prefer considering both the marks of graduation aggregate and entrance exam score for an ultimate merit list. Hence, it is highly recommended that the students get high marks in both these examinations to gain a top position in these merit lists.
- Keep track of all the important events pertaining to admission so that you will never miss any deadline. Also, keep a track of eligibility criteria, course cut-off, application procedure, application fee and all the updates in newspapers, official websites etc.
- Students are advised to practice as many papers and questions as they can in order to enhance your time management skills.
MA Geography vs MSc Geography
MA Geography and MSc Geography are both post-graduate degree courses of a comprehensive nature. But there are subtle differences between the academic curriculum of these two-degree courses.
A comparison between the two courses is given below in a tabulated form for better understanding along with their respective fee and expected salaries :
| Parameters | MA Geography | MSc Geography |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | MA Geography is essentially a degree course of the humanities stream. It involves academic exploration of the social aspect of Geography, specifically Human Geography. It equips students with a thorough understanding of the earth's physical, regional, and economic environment, management and utility of space concerning human activities. | MSc in Geography is essentially a degree course in the science stream. It involves academic exploration of the scientific aspects pertaining to the understanding of earth’s physical, regional, and economic features. It imparts in the students a complete understanding of the scientific dimensions of the geography discipline. |
| Type of Degree | Post-graduate | Post-graduate |
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Graduation with Honours in Geography or Geography as one of the subjects with a minimum aggregate score of 50% from a recognized Indian college or university. | Graduation in Geography (B.Sc in Geography) from a recognized Indian college or university with a minimum aggregate score of 50% |
| Exam Type | Semester | Semester |
| Admission Process | Entrance/ Merit-Based | Entrance Exam |
| Average Fees | INR 2,000 to 1,00,000 | INR 3,000 to 50,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 8,00,000 | INR 2,35,000 to 6,50,000 |
| Job Profiles | Agricultural Specialist, Geographer, Cartographer, Demographer, Forest Manager, Professor, Teacher etc. | GIS Analyst, Cartographer, Geo-Scientist, Urban and Regional Planner, Teacher, Professor |
| Top Recruiters | Public and Private sectors, academic institutions, research organizations, mining industry, agricultural research agencies, NGOs | Geological Survey of India, Pollution Control Boards, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Coal Industry etc. |
Source: College Websites
Source: College Websites
Which are the Top Colleges for Studying MA Geography?
Several universities across India offer MA Geography. Some of the top universities among them are given below in a tabulated form along with their respective location, average annual fee, and NIRF ranking :
| Name of the College | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| JNU, New Delhi | JNUEE 2023 | INR 1,260 |
| BHU, Varanasi | BHU PET 2023 | INR 4,620 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi | JMI entrance exam | INR 30,100 |
| Delhi University, New delhi | DUET 2023 | INR 18,200 |
| Panjab University, Chandigarh | PU CET PG | INR 9,825 |
| Visva Bharati University, Birbhum | Merit-Based | INR 8,180 |
| Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur | Merit-Based | INR 74,500 |
| Mumbai University, Mumbai | Merit/ Entrance-Based | INR 34,405 |
| Utkal University, Bhubaneswar | Merit-Based | INR 2,573 |
| Presidency University, Kolkata | PUMDET 2023 | INR 3,960 |
Source:College Websites
College Comparison for MA Geography
The comparison of the top three Indian universities offering MA Geography is given below in a tabular form along with their average annual fees, and average placement package offered:
| Parameters | Jawaharlal Nehru University | Banaras Hindu University | Jamia Millia Islamia University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | JNU was established in 1969. It is the leading public university in India for studying Liberal Arts and Applied Sciences. It is a university of NAAC ‘A++’ grade that offers quality education and academic research opportunities in a variety of streams and disciplines. | BHU was established in 1916, and since then it has emerged as one of the top-most public universities in India that offer courses across all streams and disciplines. It is also the largest residential university in India. | Jamia Millia Islamia was originally established at Aligarh in 1920. It is today considered one of the top public universities in India for academic and research excellence. It offers courses across every academic stream and discipline. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree in Geography from a recognized university. | Bachelor’s degree in Geography from a recognized university. | Bachelor’s degree in Geography from a recognized university. |
| Admission Process | Entrance-Based | Entrance-Based | Entrance-Based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 1,260 | INR 4,620 | INR 30,100 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 7,00,000 | INR 4,50,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Public and private sectors, academic institutions, research organizations, agricultural research agencies, NGOs etc. | Public and private sectors, academic institutions, petroleum sector, environment consultancies, agricultural research agencies, NGOs etc. | Public and private sectors, academic institutions, environment consultancies, agricultural research agencies, NGOs etc. |
Source: College Websites
MA Geography Distance Learning
Students who are unable to pursue MA Geography course in regular mode can also pursue the same through Distance Learning mode. Before taking admission, Students must check for the validity of the course and the college in distance or correspondence mode.
- In order to be eligible for this course through correspondence mode students must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geography or equivalent from a recognized university.
- The minimum duration required to complete this course from distance mode is 2 year and the maximum duration of the same is 5 years.
- Admission to MA Geography course through correspondence mode will be done based on the candidate's merit in the Bachelor’s degree examination.
- The average fee for the course ranges from INR 8,000 to INR 40,000 annually.
Given below are some colleges which offer this course through distance mode.
| College/ University Name | Admission Process | Average course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 18,000 |
| Nalanda Open University, Patna | Merit-Based | INR 8,400 |
| Jiwaji University, Gwalior | Merit-Based | INR 15,640 |
What are the Subjects Covered in MA Geography Syllabus?
The MA Geography syllabus includes a comprehensive and integrative curriculum of both theoretical and practical study spread over the four semesters in two years. A semester-wise breakup of the general syllabus for MA Geography is given below in a tabulated form :
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Geomorphology | Geohydrology and Oceanography |
| Climatology and Soil Geography | Biogeography |
| Nature of Geography | Historical and Political Geography |
| Economic Geography | Geographical Thought |
| Quantitative Techniques and Digital Data Processing | Cartographic Techniques and Map Projection |
| Soil Water Analysis, Surveying and Field Report | Thematic Mapping and Geographical Information System |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Social, Cultural and Settlement Geography | Resource Planning and Development |
| Population and Human Development | Regional Planning and Development |
| Regions and Regional Entity of India and West Bengal | Land Use Planning and Rural Development |
| Special Paper | Special Paper |
| Applied Statistical Techniques in Geography | Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System |
| Special Paper | Term Paper (on special papers) |
MA Geography Important Books
Some of the best books for students who are pursuing an MA Geography are given below :
| Name of the Book | Author |
|---|---|
| The Nature of the Environment | Goudie |
| Geography and Man’s Environment | A.N. Strahler & A.H. Strahler |
| Economic Geography of Asia | S.P. Chatterjee |
| India: A Regional Interpretation | C.D. Deshpande |
| Philosophy and Human Geography | R.J. Johnston |
What are the Career Options and Job Profiles Available After Completing MA Geography?
- The areas of employment for students who have completed an MA Geography include opportunities in academic and research fields. Both public and private sector undertakings employ the post-graduates for advanced research and exploration.
- MA Geography degree holders will be able to find jobs in numerous sectors including Forest Services, Educational Institutions, Research Institutes, Fas Exploration Companies etc.
Some of the popular professional jobs available to MA Geography degree holders along with the corresponding salaries are provided in the table given below:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Specialist | Agricultural Specialists are responsible for working in association with the farmers and livestock producers to ensure proper agricultural development and business success. | INR 2,00,000 |
| Cartographer | Cartographers are responsible for producing maps in simple conventional ways as well as in complex ways as in diagrams, spreadsheets, and charts. They work with the scientific, technological, and developmental aspects of producing maps. | INR 2,50,000 |
| Forest Manager | Responsible for maintaining assigned forest areas or woodland areas. They make sure that the biodiversity of the area is well maintained along with streamlining commercial interests and public access. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Demographer | Responsible for studying and analyzing the size, distribution, and structure of the human population of a specific region. They study and research various sets of data and use statistical methods to draw inference from their analysis. | INR 3,00,000 |
| Geographer | Responsible for studying earth's features including landforms, environmental aspects, and its inhabitants. They tend to do research and provide the knowledge regarding the economic, political, and cultural aspects of the discipline. | INR 4,80,000 |
Source: College Websites
What is the Future Scope After Completing a MA Geography Course?
Students who have completed their post-graduation in Geography have numerous career options. The future scopes for students of MA Geography are given below :
Higher and advanced education: Students can opt for higher advanced education and research opportunities after completing their MA Geography degree course. The higher education options they can pursue are :
- B.Ed.: For those who want to pursue a career as a school teacher in either public schools or private schools can consider enrolling in a B.Ed degree course. This course can provide them with the necessary insights required for teaching at different school levels.
- M.Phil.: Post-graduate students can opt for pursuing an M.Phil. degree in the discipline. This will present them with a scope to gain more thorough and intense knowledge over the subject and will provide them with opportunities for academic research.
- PhD: Students can also enrol in PhD programs in the discipline as per the area of their liking. Along with in-depth research and studies on the subject, this provides massive scope for further employment with higher pay-scales.
- Competitive Exams:Students, after completing their post-graduation in Geography, can appear in different competitive examinations for government jobs, including UPSC CSE, IFS, and PSC of different states.
- Junior Research Fellowship:Students can also appear for NTA-UGC NET-JRF that will grant them eligibility for employment as Assistant Professor in Indian colleges and universities, and also open up research avenues in top universities.
So, on completion of MA Geography course students will be able to choose a career as per their skills and area of interest. You can go for higher education or you can also opt for a decent job. It all depends on you whether you want to do the job after completing this course or you wish to do research for the betterment of the world.
MA Geography FAQs
Ques. What is the duration of the MA Geography program?
Ans. The duration for the full-time on-campus course of MA Geography provided by Indian universities is 2 years divided into fours semesters.
Ques. Can I pursue a career in the government sector after completion of my MA Geography degree?
Ans. Post-graduates in MA Geography will be able to get employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Moreover, you can also opt for appearing in competitive government exams like UPSC CSE, IFS, PSC of different states, teacher and professors at government schools and universities.
Ques. I have not studied Geography in my Bachelor’s degree. Am I eligible to apply to the MA Geography program?
Ans. No, you cannot apply to this course. If you have a graduation degree in Geography as the main honours subject or Geography as one of the subjects at graduation level, you are eligible to apply.
Ques. Can I become an Indian Forest Service Officer if I pursue an MA Geography course?
Ans. Yes, you can become an Indian Forest Service Officer if you have a MA Geography degree. But you have to qualify the UPSC IFS (Indian Forest Service) exam for that.
Ques. How can I become a Geography Teacher?
Ans. If you want to become a Geography teacher, you need to complete your MA Geography course. Then you can pursue a B.Ed. degree that will provide you with all the necessary skills required for teaching school students at different levels.
Ques. What subjects are included in the MA Geography course curriculum?
Ans. The syllabus of MA Geography course includes all the necessary aspects of understanding pertaining to Human Geography. The subjects included in the course curriculum of this course include Geo-Morphology, Geo-Hydrology, Climatology, Soil Geography, Biogeography, Nature of Geography etc.
Ques. What are the employment areas for MA Geography postgraduates?
Ans. The employment areas for MA Geography degree holders include both public and private sectors. There are a large number of job opportunities in research facilities and organizations, academic institutions, mining industry, the resource development industry, forest service, NGOs, petroleum industry survey agencies and many more.
Ques. Is there any scope of overseas employment or higher studies on completion of this course?
Ans. On completion of MA Geography program from an Indian university, students have a wide range of career options such as they can go for higher and advanced research and academic learning. Also, there is a huge scope of overseas employment in the survey fields, development fields and research fields.
Ques. Is it necessary to appear for entrance exams for taking admission to MA Geography course?
Ans. The premier universities in India prefer conducting entrance examinations for admission to MA Geography course. Whereas many Indian universities grant admission to students based on their merit in the qualifying exam. So if you want to take admission in a top Indian university, entrance exams are pretty important.
Ques. Is MA Geography necessary to pursue PhD Geography?
Ans. Yes, either MA or MSc in Geography is essential for pursuing an advanced degree course like PhD in Geography. So, if you want to pursue a PhD Geography program, you have to complete your post graduation in Geography successfully.
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