PhD Geography: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
PhD Geography stands for Doctor in Philosophy, it is a three to six-year-long doctorate program that deals with Geographic Studies. PhD Geography jobs after graduation include Geomorphologist, Geospatial analyst, Water Conservation Specialist, Hydrologist, Geographer, Professor, Oceanographer, Teachers, etc.
PhD Geography Course Details
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | No age limit |
| Subjects Required | Masters in Geography or relevant field |
| Minimum Percentage | 55% |
| Average Fees | ₹2 - 5 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 5 - 10 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Lecturer, Geologist, Soil conservationist, Researcher, IFS, etc |
| Top Recruiters | IFS, IAS, Geological Department, Meteorological Department, Environmental Society, etc. |
About PhD Geography
PhD in Geography course stands for Doctor in Philosophy. According to Wikipedia, "Geography is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the Earth and planets."
PhD courses are composed of many artistic disciplines and offer various subject combinations to candidates to choose from apart from compulsory subjects. The PhD Geography syllabus covers all the related topics for the field and gives rigorous training to the students.
Table of Contents
- PhD Geography Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Geography Admission Process
- Who Should Do a PhD Geography?
- Types of PhD Geography
- Popular PhD Geography Entrance Exams
- Study PhD Geography in India
- Top PhD Geography Colleges
- Study PhD Geography Abroad
- PhD Geography Fees Structure
- PhD Geography Syllabus and Subjects
- Why Choose PhD Geography?
- PhD Geography Course Comparison
- Scope of Higher Education for PhD Geography
- Preparation Tips for PhD Geography
- Salary of a PhD Geography Graduate
- Career Options after PhD Geography
- Skills to Excel
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Geography
For PhD Geography course admission, the students need to know the eligibility criteria and all the PhD Geography course details. PhD Geography course eligibility includes students having to successfully pass their post graduation from a recognised university. In addition, colleges and universities conduct entrance exams for students to be eligible for the course. There is no age limit to applying for this course.
How To Get Admission for PhD Geography?
PhD Geography admission is possible through only entrance examinations. Many universities offer direct and entrance exam-based admission to the PhD Geography course. Candidates applying for the PhD Geography should have their results from the respective entrance exams boards required by a particular university.
Though the admission process varies from college to college, below are the steps that one should generally go through to get admission.
How to Apply?
The PhD Geography course applications are available either online from the university website or offline by visiting the university's admissions Office. In addition, colleges conduct interviews before admissions to check if students have good communication skills.
Candidates applying for the PhD Geography program should have all the necessary documents before the entrance test, such as post graduate degree and ID verification.
Selection Process
The selection process for the courses under PhD Geography in India is usually the same irrespective of the specialization. Generally, once the application for the course is received, colleges decide on the final selection of the candidates based on the marks obtained by them in the entrance exams.
Who Should Pursue a PhD Geography?
The PhD Geography course is for those aspirants that want to set up a career in geographic studies. Depending on the nature and type of PhD Geography course, aspirants can set up their careers in the domain of their preferences.
When To Do PhD Geography?
Typically, it makes sense for PhD Geography aspirants to apply for their respective courses immediately after completing post graduation. However, students from any stream can apply for a PhD Geography course.
Types of PhD Geography
Aspirants can pursue the PhD Geography program in the full-time, distance or part-time mode. Below are the types of PhD Geography courses in detail:
Full-Time PhD Geography
The full-time PhD Geography duration is typically for 3-6 years, where students will have to attend classes in person, submit assignments, and write their exams on-campus.
The advantage of a full-time PhD Geography course is that students will gain a lot more exposure, experience and knowledge through direct interaction with their peers and faculty.
Part-Time PhD Geography
The part-time PhD Geography course is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes for 6-10 years long. Part-time courses either entail weekend or night classes or online classes, depending on the type of course. The advantage of the part-time PhD Geography course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, research, etc.
Distance PhD Geography
Many universities and colleges in India offer the Distance PhD Geography course. The course is designed keeping the Distance Education methodology in mind. This type of course is designed for students who cannot afford to attend classes on-campus or those engaged in some form of employment and cannot take time out to pursue a full-time course.
Popular Entrance Exams for PhD Geography
Entrance exams are a common and popular means for some colleges to have a screening to decide which student must be admitted to the course. Many popular colleges around the country have made a name for themselves by conducting internationally acclaimed research projects.
These colleges often conduct entrance exams, as the demand to enter these colleges is higher than the number of seats available. Listed below are some of the popular exams:
A Quick Glance at the PhD Geography Entrance Exams
Students can access the PhD Geography course details by going to the college's official website to which they are interested in applying. The specialization plays a vital role in the college's approach to the entrance exam. Below listed are some of the general guidelines of the PhD Geography entrance examinations:
- The exam pattern includes Geography, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Thinking, and subject-specific questions according to the specialization.
- The papers are objective and MCQ-based, with negative marking.
- The syllabus, mode of examination, and question pattern may change according to a university/conducting body.
Study PhD Geography in India
India is home to some of the best universities for PhD Geography in India. Aspirants have many options to choose from in terms of the best PhD Geography course as per their preferences. Depending on the type of PhD Geography programs offered, candidates will have to make the appropriate choice. Below are some of the top colleges in India offering PhD Geography courses:
Top 10 PhD Geography Colleges in India
Below is the list of the 10 best PhD Geography Colleges in the country:
| Sl.No | Name of the College |
| 1 | BHU, UP |
| 2 | Jadavpur University, Kolkata |
| 3 | University of Calcutta |
| 4 | JMI, New Delhi |
| 5 | Aligarh Muslim University, UP |
| 6 | Bhartiya Vidyapeeth, New Delhi |
| 7 | University of Mumbai |
| 8 | Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Maharashtra |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in New Delhi
India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for PhD Geography in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Geography colleges in New Delhi:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | JMI |
| 2 | Dyal Singh College |
| 3 | IGNOU |
| 4 | Shivaji College |
| 5 | Miranda House |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in Pune
Pune also has some of the best institutions for PhD Geography in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Geography colleges in Pune:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Nowrosjee Wadia College |
| 2 | SP College |
| 3 | Rajarshi Shahu College |
| 4 | R J College |
| 5 | Government Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, Amravati |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in Chennai
Tamil Nadu’s capital city is home to some of the premier institutions for PhD Geography in India. Check the table below for the best PhD Geography colleges in Chennai:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | MCC |
| 2 | University of Madras |
| 3 | Bharathidasan University |
| 4 | Queen Marys College |
| 5 | UNOM |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in Bangalore
The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top PhD Geography programmes. Check the table below for the best PhD Geography colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Christ University |
| 2 | Vivekananda Degree College |
| 3 | Jain University |
| 4 | Kristu Jayanti College |
| 5 | Presidency College |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in Kolkata
West Bengal’s capital city, Kolkata, has some of the best colleges for PhD Geography courses in India. Check the table below for the best PhD Geography colleges in Kolkata:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Adamas University |
| 2 | DHWU |
| 3 | Jadavpur University |
| 4 | The University of Burdwan |
| 5 | University of Calcutta |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in Hyderabad
The Telangana state capital has some premier institutions in the country for PhD Geography courses in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Geography colleges in Hyderabad:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Nizam College |
| 2 | Osmania University |
| 3 | Malla Reddy University |
| 4 | Telangana Social Welfare Residential Degree College |
| 5 | Vijetha Academy |
Top PhD Geography Government Colleges
There are several top Government Colleges offering quality PhD Geography programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Geography government colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | IGNOU Delhi |
| 2 | JMI New Delhi |
| 3 | LPU Jalandhar |
| 4 | UNIPUNE |
| 5 | DU Delhi |
Top PhD Geography Private Colleges
India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PhD Geography private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Geography private colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Presidency College |
| 2 | Ranchi University |
| 3 | Jadavpur University |
| 4 | Woxsen University |
| 5 | Patna University |
Study PhD Geography Abroad
Students can opt to study a PhD Geography course abroad if they can afford it. The PhD Geography course abroad is for 3 years. The benefits of studying a PhD Geography course abroad are access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculties, apart from worldwide exposure in terms of subject matter and other cultures. In addition, PhD Geography is one of the best courses to study abroad because of its diversity. Below are some of the top PhD Geography colleges abroad and the relevant fees structure:
Top PhD Geography Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of the some of the best colleges abroad for PhD Geography:
| Institution | Fees |
| University of Europe | USD 35695.41 |
| California University of Technology | USD 56378.13 |
| Stanford University | USD 72434.62 |
| University of Chicago | USD 56043.08 |
| University of Germany | USD 57022.45 |
| University of Canada | USD 29509.92 |
| Northwestern University | USD 56300.81 |
| University of Washington | USD 34561.41 |
| Cambridge University | USD 27332.12 |
| University of North Carolina | USD 36984.05 |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in the USA
The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch PhD Geography programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top PhD Geography colleges in the USA:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Washington |
| 2 | University of Chicago |
| 3 | University of North Carolina |
| 4 | Northwestern University |
| 5 | California University of Technology |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in the UK
The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing a PhD Geography. The table below shows the top colleges in the UK for PhD Geography:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Manchester |
| 2 | Imperial College |
| 3 | University of Edinburgh |
| 4 | University College London |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in Canada
Known as the ‘Great White North’, Canada is one of the most sought after destinations for PhD Geography programmes in the world:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Montreal |
| 2 | Western University |
| 3 | Dalhousie University |
| 4 | Laval University |
Top PhD Geography Colleges in Australia
Known as the ‘Land Down Under’, Australia has emerged as one of the top destinations for higher studies for many students. The list of top PhD Geography colleges in Australia are as follows:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Sydney |
| 2 | University of Western Australia |
| 3 | University of Melbourne |
| 4 | Australian National University |
Fee Structure for PhD Geography
The PhD Geography course fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PhD Geography fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average PhD Geography course fee in India is around INR 10,000 - 1.5 LPA.
| Sl.No. | Name of the College | Total Fee Structure |
| 1. | Banaras Hindu University | INR 3,806 PA |
| 2. | Jadavpur University | INR 8,000 PA |
| 3. | University of Calcutta | INR 3,395 PA |
| 4. | Aligarh Muslim University | INR 9,285 PA |
Syllabus and Subjects for PhD Geography
The course syllabus included in the curriculum of some of the most popular PhD Geography courses are tabulated below. The crux of the syllabus is maintained throughout most colleges across the nation, although minor deviations may be observed for a few colleges. Listed below are some subjects that the students get a chance to study:
- Geomorphology
- Climatology
- Oceanography
- Biogeography
- Political Geography
- Cultural Geography
Read More: PhD Geography Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose PhD Geography?
When students decide to pursue the PhD Geography qualification, they should research PhD Geography course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolled in. Some of the common queries that students encounter are, "What is PhD Geography" and "Why PhD Geography?". To understand the answer to these questions, we can make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three short questions:
What is PhD Geography All About?
A Doctor of Philosophy in Geography or PhD Geography course is a doctorate level degree awarded to students, usually in a branch of the Arts, focussing on Geography. This type of program is one of the oldest and most popular programs globally. PhD Geography degree is a mix of many subjects that allows candidates to adapt to the changing demands of the employer and meet their needs. The PhD Geography course enhances the candidates’ communication, research, and analytical skills.
What Does a PhD Geography Graduate Do?
Students can select the subjects of their choice depending on their interest in job prospects available in the specific field. There are career opportunities available in multiple fields for them. In addition, there are many responsibilities that students of this role have to undertake, which makes the role very dynamic and diverse.
Professor: One of the popular roles undertaken by students of the PhD Geography course is teaching. Since students gain a deeper understanding of a specific subject when studying PhD Geography, it helps them pursue teaching as a career.
Reasons Why PhD Geography Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
PhD Geography course is a very reflective and exciting stream of education. Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a PhD Geography course because it offers more avenues of employment opportunities than any other stream. Thus, the PhD Geography job scope is forever widening and appealing.
Diversity in Job roles: There is a diverse range of job roles available for the students of this course. Since the specializations available to the students are very flexible, it enables the students to pursue a wide range of roles in their careers.
Read More: PhD Geography Jobs & Scope
PhD Geography Course Comparison
PhD Geography stands for Doctor of Philosophy in Geography and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards humanities and social sciences. Below is a comparison of the PhD Geography course with other courses:
PhD Geography vs PhD Geology
The table below showcases the differences between PhD Geography and PhD Geology:
| Course | PhD Geography | PhD Geology |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography | Doctor of Philosophy in Geology |
| Stream | Arts and Humanities | Arts and Humanities |
| Course Duration | 3-6 years | 3-6 years |
| Eligibility | Post Graduation in any stream | Post Graduation in any stream |
| Entrance Exams | GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR UGC NET, Symbiosis PhD entrance exam, JNU PhD entrance exam | AP EAMCET, ATMA, IPU CET. JIPMER, GCET, AIIMS MSc. INI CET, JNUEE, CUET, DUET |
| Top Colleges | Banaras Hindu University, Jadavpur University, University of Calcutta, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, Bharati Vidyapeeth | Banaras Hindu University, Jadavpur University, University of Calcutta, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, Bharati Vidyapeeth |
| Fees | INR 2-5 LPA | INR 3-6 LPA |
Preparation Tips for PhD Geography
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a PhD Geography degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
Improve Vocabulary: Improving vocabulary is very necessary as the PhD Geography course deals with many writing and reading activities. So having excellent communication and writing skills are a plus for the student studying the PhD Geography course.
Read and Practice More: Being up to date with the syllabus every day is very important. Practicing and reading more will help the student be thorough with the syllabus and do well in the exams.
Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subject: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
Revise Methodically: Revising from time to time can be a key to scoring well in the final exam. Keep revising regularly and understand the subject properly. Revision is the key to scoring good marks.
Scope For Higher Education
Students can pursue many specializations under PhD Geography. There are also many higher study options available for students after a PhD Geography degree, which can help them better understand the subject. Also, gaining more education can help the students pursue a career in research if they are interested in it. Listed below are some of the popular higher education options available for students:
- Advanced Certificate in Geography CMA
Salary of a PhD Geography Graduate
The PhD Geography salary for the students can differ according to the specialization that the aspirants decide to pursue. Other factors that can affect PhD Geography salary in India include experience, geography, and the industry they are working in.
They can increase their salary by doing internships and work placements as it would add to their experiences and skills. The average PhD Geography jobs salary for graduates is around INR 4 - 8 LPA [Source: PayScale].
Read More: PhD Geography Job Salary
Career Options After PhD Geography Graduation
There are plenty of jobs available for students looking for a career in Geographic studies. The job roles will differ based on the specialization that one has opted for. PhD Geography students have abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following fields:
- Water Conservation Specialist
- Geomorphologist, Geospatial analyst
- Hydrologist
- Oceanographer
- Geographer
- Professor
- Teachers, etc.
Skills That Make You The Best PhD Geography Graduate
There are many complex and soft skills that PhD Geography students need to possess to succeed in their careers. These are not necessarily skills that students can get in a classroom setting. Instead, these are skills that are learned through experience.
Therefore, students should always put in the effort to go out of their comfort zone and gain as much experience as possible. Some of these skills include:
- Quantitative Analysis Skills
- Research Skills
- Analytical Skills
- The Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Interpersonal Skills
- Practical Skills