What is MA Geography: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission [Year], Colleges, Salary & Scope
MA Geography courses are 2-year postgraduate degrees. The MA Geography full form is Master of Arts in Geography. Geography is the study of the physical form and environment of the planet Earth and its impact on living beings and civilizations.
A student can pursue various specialization degrees in Geography such as human geography courses, technical geography courses, environmental geography courses, planetary geography courses, physical geography courses, and social geography courses.
MA Geography eligibility criteria is to complete a bachelor degree from a recognized college with at least 45% marks. Students from all specializations and academic backgrounds are eligible to pursue this degree. Students do not need to study Geography in their undergraduate to pursue this degree, though it is preferable.
MA Geography courses can be pursued through regular as well as online/distance modes. Most colleges and universities offer MA Geography admission based on both merit and entrance scores. Some popular MA Geography entrance exams are URATPG, CUET PG, JMI Entrance Exam, PUCET PG, AP PGECET, etc.
Some major MA Geography colleges in India are Patna Women’s College, S.S. Jain Subodh PG College, Amity University Noida, Dr. D.Y. Patil Arts Commerce & Science College, Parishkar College of Global Excellence, etc. The average MA Geography fees can range from INR 10,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh.
Students who want to pursue MA Geography courses can choose to pursue undergraduate education in BA Geography courses, as it will help them understand the subject. MA Geography graduates generally choose to work in job profiles such as an Urban Planner, Environmental Manager, Emergency Management Officer, Government Official, etc.
The average MA Geography salary in India is around INR 3-9 LPA.
Interested candidates can continue reading the article for more MA Geography course details.
MA Geography Course Details: Highlights
Students interested in pursuing an MA Geography course can take a look at some of the core details in the table given below:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Course Name |
MA Geography |
|
Course Level |
PG |
|
Duration |
2 Years |
|
Criteria |
Should have graduated from a recognized university and secured a minimum of 45-50% |
|
Admission Procedure |
Merit and Entrance based |
|
Entrance Exams |
URATPG, CUET PG, JMI Entrance Exam, PUCET PG, AP PGECET, etc. |
|
Colleges |
Delhi University, Amity University, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, etc. |
|
Course |
INR 10,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh |
|
Job Profiles |
Urban Planner, Environmental Manager, Emergency Management Officer, Government Official, etc. |
|
Top Recruiters |
NAVDANYA, Avani, Hara Jeevan, Greenpeace India, Help Delhi Breathe, etc. |
|
Salary in India |
INR 3-9 LPA |
Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.
Employment Areas for Master of Arts (Geography) as following:
- Cartography, Surveyors, Urban & Regional Planning, Town Planning, Remote Sensing, Post-Secondary Teachers, Agricultural Consultant, Demographer, Forest Administrator, Air Pollution Specialist, Air Quality Analyst, Area Specialist, Climatologist, Conservation Education Coordinator, Ecologist, Energy Analyst, Geomorphologist, Hydro geologist and Land Use Planner etc.
Candidates those who have skills like:
- Analyzing and problem-solving, Decision-making, Critically interpreting data and text, Second, those have the capability of developing a reasoned argument; have numerical skills, team-working, planning skills, presenting oral is suitable for it.
- They should also have argument and information skills, communication and technology skills (ICT) including word processing, databases, internet communications, information retrieval, and online searches are also a good match for it.
MA Geography job scope and occupations are limitless because it is one of the most important specializations for primary requirements of humans. Given the relevance of MA Geography in practically all horizons and domains, an MA Geography degree will always be in demand and can never be wasted. There are many job profiles you can choose to pursue, based on your interests. From cartographer to environmental consultant, your MA Geography degree can lead you to a career in a variety of industries.
An MA in Geography can be very beneficial for students who choose to pursue it. Geography is an evergreen field that will never grow irrelevant or become outdated. Geography has a broad range of practical applications in various real-life fields such as urban planning, drainage basins, transportation, agriculture, and geographic information systems. Students can seek various employment and job opportunities after MA in Geography.
- MA Geography Eligibility Criteria
- MA Geography Admission 2025
- MA Geography Entrance Exams 2025
- Types of MA Geography Courses
- MA Geography Syllabus 2025
- Best MA Geography Colleges in India
- Popular Private MA Geography Colleges in India
- MA Geography Career Scope: Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
- MA Geography Courses: FAQs 2025
- Popular MA Geography Specializations
- Course Cutoffs
MA Geography Eligibility Criteria
Check out the basic eligibility criteria of the MA Geography course from the table below:
|
MA Geography Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Academic Qualifications for MA Geography |
Bachelor’s degree in Geography, or in a related course. |
|
Marks Criteria for MA Geography |
Secure at least 50% marks in graduation. |
|
Appearing or Passed Criteria for MA Geography |
Candidates who have already completed graduation or are in the final year can apply for the course. |
|
Age Limit for MA Geography |
There is no prescribed age limit. |
Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.
If you are a graduate then you can apply for MA Geography. Some colleges may give you preference if you have completed BA or BSc Geography. Most colleges give admission on the basis of entrance exams. If you are applying trough CUET PG then you should be a graduate with a minimum 50% aggregate marks. But if you are applying through other state level or university level exams then do check if they have any other eligibility requirements to apply.
Yes you can apply for MA Geography after completing BSc course. If you have completed BSc in Geography then you can apply for MA Geography or MSc Geography. If you have completed BSc in any other specialisation such as BSc Computer Science, BSc Chemistry etc. then also you can pursue MA Geography. Make sure that you have scored minimum 50% marks in graduation. You should also have studied from a recognised college or university to apply for MA Geography course.
MA Geography Admission 2025
Candidates can check a general overview of the MA Geography admission process below:
- Make sure you meet the eligibility
- Apply online by flling up the form
- Take entrance exam
- Wait for the merit list and result
- If selected, attend the counselling session
- Get the documents verified and pay the fee to secure the seat
Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.
Hello! The MA in Geography IGNOU admission process is quite similar to other universities. You simply have to fill up the admission form on the official website of IGNOU and submit the required documents. Do not forget to pay the admission application fees.
IGNOU releases its list of selected candidates on the basis of merit. They generally do not require any entrance exams. Students who are selected can pay the fees to confirm their seat and begin their academic journey.
Hi, for direct admission you have the following college choices:
- Banasthali Vidyapeeth
- Viva Bharti University
- Mumbai University
- Utkal University
MA Geography Entrance Exams 2025
Given below are some of the majorly known entrance exams through which candidates can secure admission to the MA Geography course:
|
Entrance Exams |
Entrance Exam Schedule |
|---|---|
|
CUET PG 2025 |
|
|
PUCET PG 2025 |
|
|
URATPG 2025 |
|
|
AP PGECET 2025 |
|
|
JMI Entrance Exam 2025 |
Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.
Important Exam Dates
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Sep ' 25 - Jan ' 26 | GLS DAT 2026 Application Last Date TENTATIVE |
| Dec ' 25 | GITAM GAT 2026 registration starts TENTATIVE |
| Jan ' 26 | KALSEE 2026 Application Form Start Date TENTATIVE |
| Feb ' 26 - Apr ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Application Form Availability TENTATIVE |
| Mar ' 26 | AUAT 2026 Applications for UG Courses TENTATIVE |
| Mar ' 26 | AUAT 2026 Applications for PG Courses TENTATIVE |
| Mar ' 26 | PUBDET 2026 Applications TENTATIVE |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 12 Jul ' 25 | URAT PG 2025 Second Merit List |
| 11 Jul ' 25 - 18 Jul ' 25 | URAT PG 2025 Merit Based Application |
| 08 Jul ' 25 - 11 Jul ' 25 | URAT PG 2025 Document Verification & Fee Payment for Admission |
The following table brings the structure of the expected CUET PG question paper.
Part | Sections/Subjects | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
A | Language Comprehension/Verbal Ability, General Test (GK, QA, Analytical Skills) | 25 |
B | Domain knowledge | 75 |
Candidates must note that the Language Comprehension/Verbal Ability section is compulsory. The General Test also has to be taken by candidates opting for all test papers except Education (PGQP01).
Types of MA Geography Courses
Check out some types of MA Geography courses classified based on their mode of education, along with a brief description
|
Types of MA Geography Courses |
MA Geography Course Details |
|---|---|
|
Full-Time MA Geography Courses |
Regular or full-time MA Geography courses are among the most popular options opted by students. Students attend the lectures and seminars in the college premises. It aids students in their holistic development. There is a lot of scope for extracurricular activities at the college or inter-college level. |
|
Distance MA Geography Courses |
The students do not attend regular college in the Distance mode of MA Geography courses. They receive study materials and get access to the student portal. They would only have to appear in person for seminars and final examinations. |
|
Online MA Geography Courses |
An Online MA Geography Programme can be pursued by candidates who wish to pursue MA Geography courses without attending regular college or appearing for offline exams. The admission process, lecture delivery, submission of assignments, and semester exams are conducted online. |
Popular Courses
MA Geography distance course and MA Geography Online course are MA Geography courses available in different mode of education. In MA Geography distance or correspondence mode you will not have to attend regular classes and you can directly appear for semester exams. Depending on the college you may have to attend seminars or practicals if any. In MA Geography Online course you will be attending lectures in online mode. You may also have the option of learning through recorded lectures. Your semester exams will also be conducted in online mode.
MA Geography and MA Geology are postgraduate level courses in the field of Humanities. Both these disciplines are interrelated and have overlapping topics such as Geomorphology.
The difference between MA Geography and MA Geology is as follows
MA Geography | MA Geology |
|---|---|
It is Master of Arts in Geography | It is Master of Arts in Geology |
The course primarily focuses on nature and people | The course lays primary emphasis on nature |
In this course you will study about the physical features and biological systems | In this course you will study about how the earth was formed |
Geography can be classified into sub fields such as Physical Geography, Human Geography, Geomatics etc. | Geology can be classified into subfields such as Mineralogy, Structural Geology, Planetology etc. |
There are various institutes that offer MA Geography Distance Education. Some popular options among students have been mentioned in the table below, along with their average course fees.
MA Geography Distance Education Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|
INR 16,800 | |
INR 29,730 | |
INR 17,280 | |
INR 8,200 | |
INR 11,200 |
Hope this helps you!
MA Geography Syllabus 2025
The curriculum of an MA Geography degree is vast and well-structured to include texts from different eras. The general MA Geography course syllabus has been mentioned below:
|
Semester 1 |
|
|---|---|
|
Geomorphological Analysis |
Regional Geography in India |
|
Environment and Ecology |
Contemporary Human Geography |
|
Semester 2 |
|
|
Modern Geographical Thought |
Landform Geography |
|
Vulnerability And Disaster |
New Economic Geography |
|
Semester 3 |
|
|
History of Geographical Thought |
Human Ecology and Ecosystem |
|
Climatology and Biogeography |
Mineral and Marine Mineral Resources |
|
Semester 4 |
|
|
Hydrology and Oceanology |
Urbanization and Migration |
|
Geography of Rural Settlements |
Agricultural Economics |
Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.
Environmental geography is a fundamental collection of analytical techniques for evaluating the influence of human habitation on the environment by monitoring the effects of human activities on natural structures and cycles. This curriculum focuses on physical geography courses, including a unique thread of courses dealing with environmental challenges, resources, and administration. Teaching and learning methods vary, ranging from lectures and tutorials to hands-on work in cartography, GIS, remote sensing, and statistics.
Hello,
The following subjects are included in the MA Geography:
- Geomorphology
- Climatology and Soil Geography
- Nature of Geography
- Economic Geography
- Quantitative Techniques and Digital Data Processing
- Soil -Water Analysis, Surveying and Field Report.
An MA Geography degree is a post-graduate degree and delves into technical topics around Geography. The MA Geography syllabus covers many topics. Some important subjects that are included in the MA Geography syllabus are Geomorphological Analysis, Geography of India, Environment and Ecology, Remote Sensing and Geographical
Information System (GIS), Climate Change and Adaptations, etc. Students can gain technical skills and exposure to the niches in Geography through these subjects.
Best MA Geography Colleges in India
This section shall help you pick an ideal college for yourself. Read further for more information on private and government colleges, along with their respective fees structure.
Best Government MA Geography Colleges in India
Given below are some of the popular government colleges in India that offer MA Geography courses:
|
Best Government Colleges |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
|
INR 2,400 |
|
|
INR 5,160 |
|
|
INR 432 |
|
|
INR 15,600 |
|
|
INR 23,400 |
|
|
INR 16,800 |
|
|
INR 3,650 |
|
|
INR 29,730 |
|
|
INR 880 |
|
|
INR 60,320 |
Note: The fees is taken from other sources and can be different.
Best Private MA Geography Colleges in India
Given below are some of the popular private colleges in India that offer MA Geography courses:
|
Best Private Colleges |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
|
INR 1 Lakh |
|
|
INR 89,560 |
|
|
INR 46,170 |
|
|
INR 1.08 Lakh |
|
|
INR 72,000 |
|
|
INR 1.08 Lakh |
|
|
INR 40,000 |
|
|
INR 60,000 |
|
|
INR 16,000 |
|
|
INR 14,600 |
Note: The fees is taken from other sources and can be different.
There are some colleges that offer MA Geography course with an affordable fee structure. Some of these are as follows:
MA Geography Colleges | Average Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
Jawaharlal Nehru University | 432 |
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University | 600 |
Maharaja Ganga Singh University | 700 |
Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University, Dhanbad | 720 |
Government Girls College, Gurgaon | 840 |
Maharshi Dayanand University | 880 |
Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi | 1.44 K |
Government Hamidia Arts and Commerce College | 1.9 K |
Jai Narain Vyas University | 1.92 K |
Govt. Madhav Arts and Commerce College, Ujjain | 1.98 K |
Kumaun University | 2.04 K |
Burdwan University | 2.4 K |
There are some colleges in which you can pursue MA Geography course in distance mode of education. Some of these are as follows:
MA Geography Distance College | MA Geography Distance College Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
VMOU - Vardhman Mahaveer Open University | 16.8 K |
Institute of Distance and Open Learning, University o | 29.73 K |
Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University | 17.28 K |
UPRTOU - U P Rajarshi Tandon Open University | 8.2 K |
Vidyasagar University | 5 K |
Nalanda Open University - NOU | 11.2 K |
School of Distance Education, Jiwaji University | 53.63 K |
Venkateshwara Open University | 36 K |
Some top colleges which offer M.A. In Geography in India are mentioned below. Please note that this list may contain private colleges as well.
- Presidency University, Kolkata
- Modern College Of Arts Science And Commerce - [MCASC] Shivajinagar, Pune
- Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur
- National Post Graduate College, Lucknow
- Government Jamuna Prasad Verma Post Graduate Arts And Commerce College, Bilaspur
Popular Private MA Geography Colleges in India
MA Geography Career Scope: Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
MA Geography course graduates have an exceptionally wide range of professional options because of the flexible skill set that is cultivated through MA Geography courses. Some students choose a more conventional career in fields like research or academics, but students also find success in a variety of other sectors that value analytical ability, technical skills, and critical thinking.
MA Geography Courses: Job Profiles and Salary
MA Geography course graduates are welcomed by the government, private, and business sectors, which value their capacity for problem-solving and place them in positions that have been mentioned below:
|
Job Profiles After MA Geography Courses |
Average Salary After MA Geography Courses |
|---|---|
|
Urban Planner |
INR 6 LPA |
|
Environmental Analyst |
INR 5.5 LPA |
|
GIS Manager |
INR 7.5 LPA |
|
Teacher |
INR 5 LPA |
Note: The salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.
MA Geography Courses: Top Recruiters
MA Geography course graduates can explore career options in various sectors such as the government sector, media and publishing houses, corporations, and community service organizations.
Here are some of the top companies that recruit MA Geography course graduates in various job profiles:
|
Top Recruiters After MA Geography Courses |
||
|---|---|---|
|
UltraTech Cement |
IBM |
Ecolab |
|
Philips |
Unilever |
ISRO |
|
National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) |
National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) |
Seventh Generation |
The one with Master's degree in geography may be employed in the following areas:
- Travel Journalism
- Travel Agencies
- Manufacturing firms
- Real Estate
- Communication and Transportation
- Resource Planner, GIS Analyst (Local Government )
- Conservation, Wild Life Management ( DoC)
- Environment (Ministry of Fisheries)
- Surveying (Trimble)
- Mining and Exploration Apart from these options, one can also work as forest managers, Demographers, Cartographer, Surveyor, Remote Sensing, etc.
A qualified geographer may also join planning and development commission, intelligence department of central, state or local government. Apart from all the above, you are eligible to appear for civil services, basically, opportunities are wide for you in IFS, Geological Survey of India, R & D departments, Jobs under Forestry Department of India, etc. Hope this helps.
Top profiles for MA Geography graduates include the following:
| Job Profile | Average INR Salary (per year) |
|---|---|
| GIS Analyst/Technician | INR 3 LPA -INR 6 LPA |
| Remote Sensing Specialist | INR 3.5 LPA -INR 7 LPA |
| Surveyor | INR 2.5 LPA -INR 5 LPA |
| Cartographer | INR 3 LPA -INR 6 LPA |
| Geodesist | INR 4 LPA -INR 8 LPA |
| Geospatial Data Scientist | INR 6 LPA -INR 12 LPA |
| Urban Planner | INR 3.5 LPA -INR 7 LPA |
| Environmental Consultant | INR 3.5 LPA -INR 7 LPA |
| Geospatial Project Manager | INR 5 LPA -INR 10 LPA |
| GIS Manager | INR 6 LPA -INR 12 LPA |
Hi!
There is a vast career scope after an MA in Geography courses. Graduates of MA Geography courses generally choose to pursue a career in job profiles as a GIS Analyst, Remote Sensing Specialist, Surveyor, Cartographer, Geodesist, Geospatial Data Scientist, Urban Planner, Environmental Consultant, Geospatial Project Manager, and GIS Manager.
MA Geography Courses: FAQs 2025
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions related to MA Geography:
Geography is a combination of natural Science and social science. Therefore, candidates can seek job opportunities in a wide range of professions.
- It is an evergreen field. The candidates who pursue this course would not have to worry about the course becoming irrelevant over time.
- Geography has a broad range of applications in various fields such as urban planning, drainage basin, transportation, agriculture and geographic information systems.
- Environmentalists and Climate Change activists can pursue this course to gain a better understanding of this field.
If you are going to pursue an MPhil in Geography then you will study subjects like Research methodology, Geography of regional development, Advanced social geography, Spatial aspects of Infrastructure and development, Population urbanization and migration and Dissertation.
Popular MA Geography Specializations
Popular Specializations
- Hindi
6 Colleges
- English
4 Colleges
- Disaster Management
1 College
- Environmental Geography
1 College
- Environmental Sociology
1 College
- Home Science
1 College
- Psychology
1 College
Course Cutoffs
News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 2 months ago
Listed below are the top Geography colleges in India that offer Diploma courses to their students:
· UNIPUNE
· University of Madras
· University of Mysore
· Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University
· Shivaji University
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, listed below are the top government Geography colleges in India along with their tuition fees:
Public/Govt. Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
Kirori Mal College Admission | INR 50,450 |
Miranda House Admission | INR 44,670 – INR 52,230 |
Indraprastha College for Women Admission | INR 540 |
Shaheed Bhagat Singh College Admission | INR 540 |
S.S. Jain Subodh PG College Admission | INR 37,100 – INR 72,150 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, joining the best Geography colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:
Top Colleges | Tuition Fee | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
Kirori Mal College Courses | INR 50,450 | INR 5.4 LPA |
Miranda House Courses | INR 44,670 – INR 52,230 | INR 7 LPA |
Indraprastha College for Women Courses | INR 540 | INR 5.38 LPA |
Patna Women's College Courses | INR 22,480 | INR 4.5 LPA |
BK Birla College of Arts, Science and Commerce Courses | INR 11,870 | INR 2 LPA |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, it is estimated that joining the best Geography colleges in India can be affordable as most colleges have tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh. Listed below are the colleges along with their tuition fees:
Low-cost Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
Kirori Mal College | INR 50,450 |
Miranda House | INR 44,670 – INR 52,230 |
Indraprastha College for Women | INR 540 |
Patna Women's College | INR 22,480 |
St. Xavier's College | INR 77,550 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
As per popularity basis, listed below are the top Geography colleges in India along with their tuition fees:
Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
Kirori Mal College | INR 50,450 |
Miranda House | INR 44,670 – INR 52,230 |
Indraprastha College for Women | INR 540 |
Patna Women's College | INR 22,480 |
B.K. Birla College of Arts, Science and Commerce | INR 11,870 |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
There are about 1900+ best Geography colleges in India. Some of the Geography colleges in India include Kirori Mal College, Miranda House, MCC, Indraprastha College for Women, Isabella Thoburn Degree College, Patna Women's College, B.K. Birla College of Arts, Science and Commerce, and many others.
Of
T
Contributor-Level 10
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MA Geography is a postgraduate level course that you can pursue after completing graduation. In this course the degree is Master of Arts and the specialisation is Geography. Since most colleges give admission on the basis of entrance exams, you will have to clear an entrance exam accepted by the college of your choice. The entrance exam syllabus include topics from BA Geography course. This is an advanced course in Geography and is mostly pursued after BA in Geography course.