What is BSc Geography?
The full form of BSc Geography is a 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 or Arts) with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board. Admission into this course is primarily done on a merit basis, with some universities, like Banaras Hindu University, opting for entrance. The top entrance exams for this course are SET, CUCET, CUET, and NPAT.
The average fee 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 an MSc in Geography, an MA in Geography, and an MPhil after the completion of a BSc in Geography.
BSc Geography jobs include environmental consultants, urban planners, cartographers, geographers, disaster management specialists, and GIS analysts. BSc Geography salary ranges from INR 2–8 LPA.
More BSc courses:
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BSc Geography: Course Highlights
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | BSc Geography |
Course Level | Undergraduate |
Course Full Form | Bachelor of 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 a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized 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 a BSc Geography?
There are several reasons why pursuing a BSc Geography degree in India might be a wise choice. Below are some of the factors:
- Career Opportunities and Growth: Graduates can find jobs in both the private and government sectors.
- Practical Training: Field excursions, lab work, and research projects.
- Interdisciplinary approach: geography is a subject that draws knowledge from a variety of disciplines.
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.
- Students who appreciate discovering and analyzing spatial patterns and data using geographic information systems (GIS).
BSc Geography: Course Types
BSc Geography is offered to students in two modes: full-time or via distance education.
- BSc Geography Full-time: This course is designed systematically and provides both theoretical and practical knowledge to the students.
- 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.
BSc Geography: Course Fees
Some of the top colleges and universities offering BSc Geography full-time, along with their fees, are 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 or arts) with a minimum of 45% marks from a recognized board
- A BSc Geography distance education course in India generally takes three to five years.
- The curriculum covers topics related to physical, human, and environmental geography.
- The study material for a distance education program 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 and universities that offer BSc Geography distance education, along with their fees, are listed 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 2024
It is recommended that students score well in their high school examinations to get admission through the merit mode. Some universities, such as Banaras Hindu University conduct an entrance exam at their college level to select candidates.
BSc Geography Admission: Merit-Based
- An aspirant should score more than 50% in their high school examinations to be eligible 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 cards, 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 admissions process will be complete.
- Finally, candidates must attend the counseling or orientation organized 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 candidates to register themselves with an email ID and password.
- The candidate is required to upload the necessary documents online.
- Once the form is complete, the candidate will be asked to pay a minimal 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 contain all the important information.
- The college or university will then publish lists according to their cutoffs and seat availability.
- If selected, a candidate should pay the course fee as soon as possible and attend the orientation or counseling organized by the college for further information.
BSc Geography: Eligibility
- 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board for BSc Geography Full-Time.
- 10+2 (in Science or Arts) with a minimum of 45% marks from a recognized board for BSc Geography Distance Education.
- The minimum age for this course is 17 years old.
BSc Geography: Entrance Exams
There is no distinct entrance exam conducted for BSc Geography because admission into this course is done through merit. 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 Entrance Exam | Registration Dates | Entrance Exam Dates |
February – April 2024 | May 15th – 31st 2024 | |
November 28th, 2023 – May 29th, 2024, | May 2024 | |
December 2023 – May 21st, 2024, | January – May 2024 | |
January 2024 | May 2024 |
BSc Geography: Entrance Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for the BSc Geography entrance exam may vary from 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 six semesters, which must be covered in three years. The syllabus of BSc Geography will vary from college to college; however, a brief overview 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 recognized books along with their authors in the field of Geography:
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 a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board. | 10+2 (in Science/Arts) with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized 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 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 visualizations. | 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 and public sector companies for job opportunities. Given below is a list of the top recruiters for 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)