MSc Horticulture: Course Fees, Admission 2026, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope

MSc in Horticulture is a postgraduate degree programme that involves the study of plant harvesting including breeding, storage, storage and shipment of vegetables and fruits. A candidate studying an MSc Horticulture course learns the environmentally friendly practices to process food production.

Some benefits of pursuing an MSc in Horticulture are:

• MSc in Horticulture encourages students to learn more about the sustainable, organic lifestyle which includes fresh produce.
• Horticulture courses help the students to understand the nourishment, health benefits and aesthetics of different highly valued plants.
• Through this course students will learn about various social, financial, environmental and functional aspects.
• MSc Horticulture also opens a variety of employment opportunities. The average salary of a Horticulturist in India is INR 5.4 LPA. 

You can get admission to MSc Horticulture without a BSc Horticulture. However, you have to fulfil the eligibility criteria, that is, to obtain a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline like Agriculture, Agronomy, etc. Hope this will help!

Yes, Biology is compulsory in Class 12, if you want to pursue any Horticulture course after. Biology offers a base knowledge about Genetics, production, etc., in living beings and under Horticulture courses, you'll be studying plant life in depth. Without the foundational knowledge of Biology, the scope of your learning and career prospects will be limited.

In order to enrol into an MSc Horticulture program, some basic necessary documents such as your 10+2 marksheets, Bachelor's degree, Aadhar card etc. are required along with your entrance exam results which are crucial for admission into an MSc Horticulture program.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the Apex Body that coordinates, guides, and manages research and education of the Indian agriculture sector  under the aegis of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. All India Entrance Examination for (a) admission (AIEEA) is conducted by ICAR to offer seats in Bachelor and master degree programs in accredited Agricultural Universities. 

Applicants who want to ace the ICAR AIEEA PG exam with good marks need to first know the syllabus as well as the exam pattern. Make short notes while preparing the topics to quickly revise at the last moment. After this practice from the previous year question papers and evaluate yourself. 

Students who will follow all the above mentioned practises along with discplined schedule, there are high possibility of them qualifying the exam. 

There are various strategies which can increase the chances of qualifying. One of the most remarkable practice which produces good result is solve previous year ICAR AIEEA PG question paper

It will help students to compose their strategy of question solving in less time and help to understand the trend of the questions. Since the syllabus remains same so some times even same questions are repeated in the exam which helps students to take an edge over others. 

The structure of the CUET PG question paper is here. Take a look

Note - The information is taken from the official site of the exam.

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).

MSc Horticulture course is a 2-year PG degree programme which is divided into 4 equal semesters. In the first two semesters, you'll get to study subjects like Growth and Development of Horticultural Crops, Organic Horticulture, Breeding of Fruit Crops, etc., and the next two semesters include dissertations, seminars, internships, etc., for field knowledge. 

Here are some of the best books recommended for MSc Horticulture students:

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

The curriculum of MSc Horticulture involves practical application of the theoretical knowledge learned during the course, and the candidates who have a strong base and understanding of the plant ecosystem will surely be able to pursue the course easily and score well in the examinations. You need to have basic fundamental knowledge of biology in order to study the MSc Horticulture curriculum.

Among 184 MSc Horticulture colleges in India, Banaras Hindu University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, Lovely Professional University, and Amity University are some of the top ranked universities by NIRF in India. 

Hi, there are very few options for colleges in India offering Distance MSc Horticulture degrees. However, you can seek admission to Wisdom School of Management which offers a Part-time MSc in Agriculture and Horticulture. The course duration is 2 years.

Career prospects for a Master Of Science holder in Horticulture greatly vary. The job scope in India depends on the respective specialisation and demand. They can find job scope in areas like Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Firms, Private Colleges, etc. Job opportunities for M.Sc Horticulture are diversified into different sectors. 

M.Sc Horticulture course provides students with a very in-depth understanding of the topics. The most common M.Sc Horticulture jobs that hire postgraduates are Horticulturist,  Quality Controller, Floriculturist,  Agricultural Analyst, and more.

While there are many high-paying designations like Conservation Scientists, Agricultural Managers, Food Scientists, Floral sales Representatives, Landscape Architects, Environmental Scientists, Agricultural Engineers, and Arborists in India. The average salary of a Senior Horticulturist is INR 12.5 LPA. 

However, the salary package also depends on your geographical location, skillset, relevant experience, and the employer.

National Horticulture Board (NHB), Organic India Private Limited, Tata Chemicals, IARI, IIHR etc. are considered to be some of the top recruiting companies for MSc Horticulture in India. These recruiters offer students a chance to work with experienced professionals in the industry and directly learn from them which helps them new relevant skills and knowledge required to survive in this industry, while alongside earning handsome packages.

If you want to pursue an MSc in Horticulture from abroad, here are some points you must follow for a seamless admission process:

• Researching universities that offer reputable MSc programs in horticulture. Look for programs accredited by relevant professional bodies and with strong reputations in the field.
• Reviewing the admission requirements, which may include submitting transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, IELTS/TOEFL).
• Preparing a strong application package that highlights your academic achievements, relevant experience, and passion for Horticulture.
• Submitting your application within the specified deadlines, which can vary by institution.

Diploma in Horticulture, Postgraduate Diploma in Horticulture, B.Tech in Horticulture, and BSc in Horticulture are some popular Horticulture courses in India, students pursue other than MSc in Horticulture.

Here are some important skills which the candidates need to possess in order to study an MSc Horticulture course:

• Effective Communication 
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Time Management
• Punctuality
• Sharp understanding skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Proficiency in English