Course

BSc Geography or Bachelor in Science in Geography is an undergraduate degree with an emphasis on Geography for 3 years. It is the study of the Earth and its many properties, characteristics, people and phenomena, in addition to the map and geographical image-interpretation.

Check the full list of top BSc Geography Colleges in India. 

Candidates who have passed Higher Secondary School Certificate 10+2 securing a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in Science discipline or Arts discipline are eligible to apply for BSc Geography. Admissions are generally given on the basis of marks scored by the candidate in the previous examination. Some university/college like BHU may ask the candidates to appear for the entrance test. 

The total cost of attending the BSc Geography course varies depending on the university you choose to attend, ranging from INR 5,000 to INR 5,00,000. in general, geography is considered a science which attempts to explain the world around us and the impact of factors and events both natural and manmade. BSc Geography falls into Earth Sciences which focuses on physical geography. The study of Earth's seasons, climate, atmosphere, soil, streams, landforms and oceans is physical geography that comes under this course. 
After completing the course, the candidates can work as Urban Planner, GIS Specialist, Cartographer, Environmental Management, Climatologist, and such. The top recruiters are Planetariums, local government, universities, private companies, and so on.

BSc Geography Syllabus

BSc Geography is divided into six semesters. Modules may include River topics, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Physical Environment, Climate Change Policy, Modern City Building, Political Geography and Geopolitics, Economic Geography, Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, Environmental Hazards, and Energy Resources. Here is a semester wise syllabus of the course :

BSc Geography  Admission Process

• Admission to BSc Geography course is done mainly through Merit, but some colleges like BHU may require the candidate to clear university level entrance tests.
• Application forms for admissions are invited generally during the month of May on web portals/newspapers/website of the college/university.
• Reservations are applicable to SC / ST / EWS / OBC NCL / PwD candidates as per Govt. of India rules.

A student seeking admission to BSc programme shall submit the application form along with :

• Proof of birth date
• Higher Secondary School Certificate / 10+2 or equivalent qualification
• Secondary School Certificate
• Gap certificate if applicable.
• Caste Certificate if applicable.

BSc Geography Merit Based Admission

• Step 1: Application forms are available from the college sales office.
• Step 2: Application should be filled with personal details and academic details with required documents and submitted with the application fee.
• Step 3: Based on the academic record and the performance of the candidates in selection criteria, candidates found suitable for admission will be accepted.
• Step 4: The names of the accepted candidates would be notified on the college site.

BSc Geography Entrance Based Admission

• Step 1: Candidates need to register to the official website by providing their email id, mobile number, and password.
• Step 2: Filling up the online form with personal and academic details and course details.
• Step 3: Upload all the scanned documents like candidate’s Photograph, Signature, Photo Identification, mark sheets, caste certificate, etc.
• Step 4: Admit cards will be issued to the eligible students based on the information provided by candidates.
• Step 5: On the announcement of results, based on the marks obtained by the students and institutes cut off, seats and academic records of the candidate’s seats are allocated.

BSc Geography Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates should have passed 10+2 in either Science or Arts or equivalent qualification from a recognized board.
• Minimum aggregate of 50% marks or equivalent grade in 10+2 is required to be eligible for this course. 
• Science candidate with Math is preferred, but maths is not a compulsory criterion. 
• The age criteria for this course is 17 years of minimum age and maximum age limit is 25 years.
• Candidates who appeared for 10+2 / Diploma and are waiting for their results can apply, provided they pass the course before the date of document verification. 
• In the case of reserved category SC / ST / OBC / PH candidates, relaxation of 5% marks or equivalent grade is given as per UGC guidelines.

BSc Geography Entrance Exams

Few institutes offering BSc Geography programmes like BHU, AMU and  LPU conduct their own entrance exams for admission to BSc Geography course, to assess the eligibility of the candidate for the pursuance of the course. However, most institutes admit students through their performance in qualifying exams.

Some of the most popular institute level entrance exams for this course are discussed below. 

• BHU-UET: Banaras Hindu University conducts this entrance exam for granting admission to all the UG courses offered by the University. 
• AMU Entrance Test: This entrance exam is conducted for granting admission to the various courses offered by Aligarh Muslim University. Though this exam generally takes place in offline mode, this time it will take place in online mode due to COVID-19 crisis. 
• LPUNEST: Lovely Professional University conducts LPUNEST every year to grant admission to UG, PG and PhD courses offered by the University. 

How to Prepare for the BSc Geography Entrance Exams? 

• The entrance test is on the basic knowledge of geography and the aptitude test.
• On the basis of previous year papers, layout a study plan which will allow you to cover the syllabus as well as revise efficiently.
• Be thorough with Maths subjects as quantitative questions are asked from Class 10 to Class 12 syllabus.
• Practising sample question papers and model tests certainly offer students an advantage because they are able to learn the exam's style and layout well beforehand.
• Shortcuts should be applied while solving paper as it will give you ample time to solve the paper.
• To improve your general knowledge skills, start reading a newspaper daily.

BSc Geography Distance Education

Most students enjoy using distance education to do BSc because it allows them the freedom to learn the course at their own speed. 

• The course is generally for a duration of a minimum of three years, but in the case of distance education, it can be more.
• A distance education degree is a valid degree, and it is also offered for working professionals.
• The course is offered to candidates who have cleared 10+2 in any stream with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
• Admission will be based on the performance of candidates in the qualifying exam.
• Course Material is available online or offline.

BSc Geography Job Profiles

• Many of the graduates are recruited under research institutes, urban planning institutions, cartography centres, content writing (geological), environmental agencies, zoos & national parks. 
• Graduates join the workforce as government employees, supplying useful research data to survey teams, urban planning departments, and others. 
• Many students work with private strategy and consulting companies by offering useful insight into their specific activities.
• Many administrative positions will be open to graduates in the financial and industrial sectors too.

Here are some job positions available after graduating in BSc Geography  :

BSc Geography Future Scope

• After completion of BSc Geography, if the candidate wishes to pursue further studies then there are various postgraduate degree options available such as Masters in Science in Geography, PG Diploma or PG Certificate courses in geography, MBA, etc.
• Admissions in some above-mentioned courses will be done through the merit of marks scored in BSc Geography degree or entrance exam such as CAT / GATE / University level exam.
• Candidates can later pursue PhD in Geography provided they are interested in research and hold an exceptional academic record and qualify national level entrance tests such as UGC NET / UGC CSIR NET which makes them eligible for the post of Lecturer in universities/colleges.
• The combination of transferable skills including problem-solving and critical thinking, geography graduates are seen as employable.
• Geography graduates are also likely to take up graduate positions that may seem more loosely linked to the topic in business, finance, and human resources, and some opt for marketing, public relations, and sales.
• Some students go on to serve as urban designers, cartographers, surveyors, environmental consultants and activists, travel agents, emergency managers, meteorologists and landscape architects.
• Some graduates find jobs for non-governmental organizations in the public sector, such as some working in sustainability, poverty and climate change, while others are seeking careers in journalism, local government, civil service and utility companies.

BSc Geography FAQs

Ques.  What is the eligibility to pursue BSc Geography?

Ans. Candidates who have passed Higher Secondary School Certificate 10+2 securing a minimum aggregate of 50% marks in Science or Arts discipline are eligible to apply for BSc Geography. Candidates who have completed 10+2 in Science / Math subjects are preferred.

Ques.  Is qualifying an entrance test compulsory for joining this course?

Ans. No, general admission to the BSc course is performed on a merit basis. Nevertheless, some colleges and universities do administer BSc entrance exams.

Ques.  What is taught in BSc Geography?

Ans. BSc Geography involves the study of the Earth and its many properties, characteristics, people and phenomena, in addition to the map and geographical image-interpretation. It falls into Earth Sciences which focuses on physical geography. It is the study of Earth's seasons, climate, atmosphere, soil, streams, landforms and oceans are physical geography.

Ques.  What is the duration of BSc Geography?

Ans. The course duration for BSc Geography is 3 years which is divided into 6 semesters.

Ques.  What is the difference between BA & BSc Geography?

Ans. BSc degree is targeted at those students with academic backgrounds who have an interest in geographical aspects of the physical and natural sciences. A BA degree is designed for those students with social sciences and humanities backgrounds who are interested in the subject's physical, financial, economic, cultural, and historical aspects.

Ques.  Is fieldwork required to complete the course?

Ans. The course provides theoretical and practical knowledge. It is an essential part of the course to immerse students in local environments so that lessons learned in class can be implemented. 

Ques.  Is it necessary to pursue an MSc after BSc?

Ans. It is not necessary to pursue an MSc after BSc. But the scope for Masters is available in the subject. It is for the candidates who would opt for a higher degree that encapsulates a broader spectrum of expertise, visibility, and experience will have a better chance of achieving their objectives.

Ques.  Why should one pursue a BSc Geography?

Ans. If a candidate has an interest in physical geography and wants to pursue a career in conservation, sustainability, and geoscience, town and transport planning, international aid and development, tourism, ecology, and environment, cartographer and GIS consultancy and so on.

Ques.  Is it compulsory to study Science in 10+2 to pursue BSc?

Ans. Eligibility for admission to BSc varies with the institution. Although it is mandatory for the student to have studied Maths / Science subjects in 10 + 2 for some colleges, some other colleges have no such rule in this regard.