Physical Geography Course: Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Updated on May 16, 2024 04:28 IST

Physical Geography is a subfield of Geography that deals with the study of naturally occurring processes and structures in the environment. It falls under the domain of Humanities & Social Sciences.

The duration of the Physical Geography course is different for each course level. On completing Class 12, candidates can take admission in Physical Geography UG Courses. After completing graduation, candidates can pursue PG level courses in Physical Geography.

Admission into Physical Geography courses can be merit-based or based on entrance exams such as CUET, CUET PG, UGC NET etc.

The Physical Geography Course Fee ranges from INR 48 to INR 4.84 Lakh.
Soil conservationist, Environmental Analyst and Geospatial Analyst are some of the eminent job profiles that candidates who complete Physical Geography courses can pursue.

Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University, Amity University and K L University are some of the renowned educational institutes that offer Physical Geography courses.

Latest Updates:

  • CUET 2024 is scheduled to be held from 15 May '24 to 24 May '24.

Physical Geography Highlights 2024

The candidates. who are willing to pursue a course in Physical geography can refer to the table below for course specific details such as eligibility, duration, fee range, top colleges, salary, entrance exams, top recruiting fields and job scope:

Course Name

Physical Geography

Physical Geography Course Eligibility Criteria

  • UG: Class 12
  • PG: Graduate
  • PhD: Master’s degree holder

Physical Geography Course Duration

  • UG: 3 years
  • PG: 2 years
  • PhD: 3-6 years

Physical Geography Course Fee Range

INR 48 – INR 4.84 Lakh

Physical Geography Course Top Colleges

Physical Geography Course Salary 

INR 4.5 LPA

Physical Geography Course Job Scope

Climatologist, Soil conservationist, Environmental Analyst, Geospatial Analyst

Physical Geography Course Entrance Exams

Physical Geography Course Top Recruiting Fields

Government Research Departments, Educational Institutions, Environment Protection Agencies

All about Physical Geography Course

The scientific study of Earth's surface nature-related features, such as land formation, climate, currents and the distribution of flora and fauna is known as physical geography. It is less concerned with human-related issues and more with the spatial relationships and distribution of natural elements such as rocks, mountains, water, soil vegetation, and landforms.

A Physical Geography course can involve the study of physical features at a global level, that is, World Physical Geography. It can also restrict its area of study to a particular country or region, for example, Indian Physical Geography.

Why Study Physical Geography Course?

There are several reasons due to which candidates prefer to study Geography. Here are some of the reasons:

  • Physical 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. 
  • Physical 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.

Physical Geography Course Eligibility Criteria

The candidates must note that the eligibility criteria mentioned below may change depending on the college. Candidates can have a look at the eligibility criteria of Physical Geography courses for various course levels.

Course Level

Eligibility Criteria

Physical Geography UG

Class 12 from a recognized board or equivalent in any stream

Physical Geography PG

Graduate in any field

Physical Geography PhD

Master’s programme in Geography

Courses covering Physical Geography Subject

The candidates must note that Physical Geography is a sub-set or a subject of Geography and not a separate course. Therefore, candidates can pursue Geography courses at different academic levels which cover Physical Geography as a subject in its syllabus.
Given below are various courses that include Physical Geography in its course curriculum:

Courses with Physical Geography as a Subject

BA Geography

BSc Geography

MA Geography

MSc Geography

MPhil in Geography

PhD in Geography

Physical Geography Course Entrance Exams 2024

As Physical Geography is a Humanities subject, candidates who wish to pursue a Physical Geography course can appear for entrance exams that are conducted for admission in Humanities courses. They can apply for the Physical Geography entrance exams once their notifications are released.

The table below presents common entrance exams accepted for courses that cover Physical  Geography subject:

Physical Geography Course Entrance Exams

Physical Geography Course Exam Dates

Physical Geography Course Exam Schedule

Common University Entrance Test (CUET)

15 May '24 to 24 May '24

CUET Schedule

Aliah University Admission Test  (AUAT)

Jul '24 (Tentative)

AUAT Schedule

Common University Entrance Test (CUET PG )

Mar '25 (Tentative)

CUET PG Schedule

University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET)

16 Jun '24

UGC NET Schedule

Physical Geography Topics

The candidates must note that given below is a generic syllabus of Physical Geography and the course curriculum can vary depending on the college. The topics in Physical Geography course are theoretical. 
Candidates can refer to the table below to find a brief syllabus of Physical Geography:

Physical Geography Syllabus

Components of Earth System

Definition and Scope of Physical Geography

Lithosphere

Erosion and Weathering–

Hydrological Cycle-Component and Processes

Ocean

Bottom Relief Features

Atmosphere

Climatic Classification (Koppen)

Top Physical Geography Course Colleges

Physical Geography is a sub-branch of Geography. It is one of the main subjects in a Geography course. Therefore, interested candidates can look for government and private Geography colleges in India. The candidates must note that the college fees shared below are subject to change based on the course level and college policies.

Top Physical Geography Course Government Colleges

The candidates must note that the fee structure of Physical Geography courses in government colleges is different for each academic level. Many candidates prefer to take admission in Geography courses provided by government colleges due to affordable fee structure and industrial reputation.
Please find some of the top Government colleges for Geography course in the table given below:

Geography Government College

Geography Government College Fees (in INR)

Presidency University, Kolkata

3.84 K - 5.4 K

Calcutta University

2.4 K - 12 K

Delhi University (DU)

10.89 K

Banaras Hindu University

10.93 K

Jawaharlal Nehru University

432

Top Physical Geography Course Private Colleges

The candidates must note that the fee structure of Physical Geography course in private colleges is different for each academic level.Candidates prefer private colleges for pursuing Geography course as they provide good infrastructural facilitiesinformative seminars, training sessions and placement drives.

Candidates can find some of the top private colleges for Geography course in the table given below:

Geography Private College

Geography Private College Fees (in INR)

Amity University, Noida

3.68 Lakh

DPG Degree College, Gurgaon

1.1 Lakh

K L University, Guntur

4.5 Lakh

Lovely Professional University, Delhi

3 Lakh

Malla Reddy University, Hyderabad

3 Lakh

Physical Geography Course Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

Studying Physical Geography course opens up career options in a wide range of job profiles. The candidates must note that some job profiles may require the candidate to have additional qualifications or skills. The average salary of various job profiles listed below is subject to change based on the company offering the job. 

Physical Geography Course Job Profiles

Given below are some of the top job profiles that can be pursued by candidates who have completed Physical Geography courses:

Physical Geography Course Job Profiles

Average Annual Salary

Climatologist

5 LPA - 6 LPA

Soil conservationist

2.7 LPA

Environmental Analyst

5.6 LPA

Geospatial Analyst

4.5 LPA

Geography Teacher

3 LPA

Lecturer

7 LPA

Landscape Architect

3.35 LPA

Physical Geography Course Top Recruiters

Physical Geography graduates are sought after in many industries of the government and private sector. 
Given below are some of the top recruiting companies of Physical Geography course:

Physical Geography Top Recruiters

UltraTech Cement

Ecolab

ISRO

IKEA

IBM

Seventh Generation

Colleges and Universities

Philips

Mining Industries

NATMO

Physical Geography Course 2024: FAQs

Q. What is the difference between Earth Science and Physical Geography?

A. The difference between Earth Science and Physical Geography is as follows:

  • Physical Geography is a branch of Geography that deals with the study of physical features of the earth such as climate, soil and landforms.
  • Earth Science is a broader domain that includes disciplines of science concerned with the study of the earth.

Q. What is the difference between Physical Geography and Geographical Physics?

A. Candidates can often get confused between Physical Geography and Geographical Physics.
Candidates can read further to understand how Physical Geography is different from  Geographical Physics.

  • Physical Geography is a sub- field of Geography that deals with the study of physical forms of the earth.
  • Geographical Physics or Geophysics studies the laws of physics that are applicable to physical processes of the earth.

Q. Which are the physical characteristics of the earth?

A. Some of the physical characteristics of the earth are as follows:

Physical Features of the Earth

Mountains

Hills

Plains

Plateaus

Buttes

Valleys

Basins

Deserts

Q. Are there any Physical Geography Certification Online Courses?

A. Yes, there are some Physical Geography courses which are available in online mode. Some of which are mentioned below:

Physical Geography Online Course

Offered by

Duration

Fee (in INR)

Bachelor of Science in Geography and Geospatial Science

Oregon State University

48 months

52,38,840

Geography of India

University of Mysore

12 weeks

-

Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Geography

RIO SALADO COLLEGE

24 months

18,49,860 

Q. Which are the best Physical Geography books in India?

A. There are several Physical Geography books which are written by renowned authors. Some of them are given below:

Physical Geography Book

Author

Principles Of Geomorphology

W. D. Thornbury

Certificate Physical And Human Geography

G. C. Leong

Introducing Physical Geography

Alan Strahler

Oceanography

Savindra Singh

Climatology

Lal D. S

Q. List some research topics in Physical Geography.

A. Candidates can find below some topics for research in Physical Geography:

Physical Geography Research Topics

Climate Change and its impact on coastal areas

How geography shares links with tourism industry

How wind power impacts climate

Evolution and expansion of pebble beaches

Drainage basin and glaciers

Basaltic Volcanism

Q. Name some Physical Geographers and mention their contributions to the field of geography:

A. Given below are some of the renowned Physical Geography Scholars along with their contributions to the field of Physical Geography:

Physical Geography Scholars

Contributions

Ellen Churchill Semple

·       cultural geography

·       regional geography

Douglas Johnson

·       mountain geomorphology

·       slope evolution

Alfred Wegener

·       continental drift theory

·       meteorology 

Susan Solomon

·       atmospheric chemist

·       climate scientist

Q. What are the branches of Physical Geography?

Branches of Physical Geography

Description

Geomorphology

This branch is concerned with the surface of the earth and the processes by which it is shaped such as landforms, deserts, hills, and mountains.

Hydrology

This branch is concerned with the quality of water and its amounts on the land surface, in the soils, in the rocks and near the surface. Hydrology deals with rivers, lakes, glaciers and more.

Glaciology

This branch is concerned with the study of glaciers and ice sheets. How the glaciers are formed and how the dynamics of ice sheets work according to the climate and impact of glaciers in the landscapes.

Biogeography

This branch is concerned with the amount of species distribution which has resulted in various patterns. The branch understands the evolution, plate tectonics and theory of island biography.

Climatology

The branch studies the climates and the weather conditions, which affect the weather from time to time and understanding the natural and anthropogenic influences them.

Meteorology

This branch deals with the scientific study of the atmosphere which focuses on the weather forecast and weather processes.

Palaeogeography

This branch is a cross-disciplinary study which examines the preserved material in stratigraphic records to understand and determine the distribution of continents through geologic time.

Oceanography

This branch studies the Earth’s oceans and seas. From the ecosystems to the marine organisms, to the waves and geophysical fluid dynamics.

Q. List some research topics in Physical Geography.

A. Candidates can find below some topics for research in Physical Geography:

Physical Geography Research Topics

Climate Change and its impact on coastal areas

How geography shares links with tourism industry

How wind power impacts climate

Evolution and expansion of pebble beaches

Drainage basin and glaciers

Basaltic Volcanism

Popular Physical Geography Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Physical Geography Colleges in India. Learn more about these Physical Geography colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Popular Private Physical Geography Colleges in India

Popular Physical Geography UG Courses

Following are the most popular Physical Geography UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Physical Geography. Students interested in pursuing a career on Physical Geography, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

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