MSc Horticulture Course: Admission 2024, Fees, Syllabus, Exams, Top Colleges, Career Scope

Updated on Sep 10, 2024 11:44 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtContent Writer

MSc Horticulture course is a 2-year postgraduate degree program focused on studying plant harvesting, growing trees, vegetables, fruits, flowers, and landscape architecture. Growth and Development of Horticultural Crops, Systematic Horticulture, Nursery Husbandry, and Orchard Management are some subjects covered in the course curriculum.

The eligibility criteria for M.Sc Horticulture is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in BSc Horticulture or any other relevant discipline from a recognized university. Admission to this PG course is based majorly on entrance exams including ICAR AIEEA, CUET-PG, MCAER CET, UPCATET, and more.

Some of India's best MSc Horticulture colleges include Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, Calcutta University, and SOA University. The average course fee in India ranges between INR 2,040 to INR 4.8 Lakh.

M.Sc Horticulture postgraduates can seek employment opportunities in various fields such as Research & Development Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Firms, Fertilizer Production Companies, Landscape Design and Interior Design firms, and more.

Some popular job profiles in the field include Horticulturist, Floriculturist, Agricultural Analyst, Seed Analyst, Quality Controller, etc. The average salary of a Horticulturist in India is INR 5.4 LPA. Interested candidates can continue reading the article for more MSc Horticulture course details.

Important topics related to the MSc Horticulture course:

Know everything about Horticulture

MSc Horticulture Course Details: Highlights

Resource Management, Food Hygiene and Sustainable Growth are the skills students gain while pursuing the MSc Horticulture course. It trains them to implement their skills to increase productivity and improve the quality of food production.  Here are some key highlights of the MSc Horticulture course for candidates’ reference:

Parameters

Course Details

MSc Horticulture Course Level

Postgraduate

MSc Horticulture Course Duration

2 Years

MSc Horticulture Eligibility Criteria

A bachelor’s degree in BSc Horticulture or any other relevant discipline.

MSc Horticulture Admission Process

Entrance Exam-Based

MSc Horticulture Entrance Exams

ICAR AIEEA, CUET-PG, MCAER CET, UPCATET, and more.

MSc Horticulture Top Colleges

Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, Calcutta University, and SOA University.

MSc Horticulture Course Fee

Between INR 2,040 to INR 4.8 Lakh

MSc Horticulture Average Salary

INR 5.4 LPA

MSc Horticulture Job Profiles

Horticulturist, Floriculturist, Agricultural Analyst, Seed Analyst, Quality Controller, etc.

MSc Horticulture Top Recruiters

NHB, IARI, IIHR, NSC, State Agriculture Universities, Tata Chemicals, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., etc.

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

Links relevant to the M.Sc Horticulture course:

Scope of Horticulture in India

Q:   What is M.Sc Horticulture?

A:

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.

Q:   What are the benefits of pursuing M.Sc Horticulture?

A:

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. 

MSc Horticulture Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for M.Sc Horticulture course admission may vary depending on individual colleges’ requirements, the basic criteria must be fulfilled by each candidate. Here is the general idea of MSc Horticulture eligibility criteria:

  • A bachelor’s degree in BSc Horticulture or any relevant discipline such as Agriculture/Agronomy/Genetics & Plant Breeding/Plant Pathology.
  • A minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognized university (minimum score may vary in the care of other students’ categories).
  • Clear entrance exams such as CUET-PG, ICAR AIEEA, etc.

Links useful for the MSc Horticulture course:

CUET PG 2025 Exam Schedule Likely to be Announced in September; Know Eligibility & Exam Pattern

Q:   Can I pursue M.Sc Horticulture without B.Sc Horticulture degree?

A:

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!

Q:   Is Biology compulsory for M.Sc Horticulture course?

A:

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.

MSc Horticulture Entrance Exams 2024

Admission to the M.Sc Horticulture course is based on the entrance exam process. Colleges either conduct university-level exams or accept national-level exam scores. Here are some top MSc Horticulture Entrance Exams, candidates can prepare for:

Entrance Exams

Exam Dates

Exam Schedule

ICAR AIEEA

June’25

ICAR AIEEA Schedule

CUET-PG

March’25

CUET-PG Schedule

MCAER CET

May’25

MCAER CET Schedule

UPCATET

June’25

UPCATET Schedule

Note: The information is sourced from the official body and may vary.

MSc Horticulture Recommended Topics:

CUET 2025 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Revised Exam Pattern, Fee, Admit Card, Syllabus

CUET Agriculture Syllabus 2025: Important Topics, Exam Pattern and Books to Prepare

Important Exam Dates

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates

02 Jan '25 -

01 Feb '25

CUET PG 2025 Application Process

ONGOING

10 Nov '24 -

08 Apr '25

KIITEE 2025 application form phase 1

ONGOING

Jan '25

TIFR GS Final Answer

TENTATIVE

02 Feb '25

IIT JAM 2025 Exam Day

Feb '25

IIT JAM 2025 Response Sheet

TENTATIVE

Feb '25

IIT JAM 2025 Provisional Answer Key

TENTATIVE

Feb '25

IIT JAM 2025 Answer Key Objection Window

TENTATIVE
DatesPast Exam Dates

02 Jan '25

CUET PG 2025 Exam Notification

14 Dec '24

TIFR GS 2025 Provisional Answer Key

08 Dec '24

TIFR GS 2025 Exam

Q:   How can I increase the chances of qualifying ICAR AIEEA PG exam?

A:

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. 

Q:   How to prepare for ICAR AIEEA PG 2024 exam?

A:

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. 

Q:   What is CUET PG examination structure?

A:

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).

MSc Horticulture Syllabus 2024

The MSc Horticulture syllabus is divided into 4 semesters following the 2-year course curriculum. The syllabus offers a comprehensive education in plant science, crop cultivation techniques, and sustainable agricultural practices.

MSc Horticulture Subjects Semester I

Systematic Horticulture

Vegetable Crops

Plant Propagation & Nursery Husbandry

Statistical Methods

MSc Horticulture Subjects Semester II

Orchard Management

Tropical and Subtropical Fruits

Spices and Plantation Crops

Design of Experiments

MSc Horticulture Subjects Semester III

Temperate Fruits

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Minor Fruits

Post-harvest Technology of Horticultural Crops

MSc Horticulture Subjects Semester IV

Floriculture and Landscaping

Seminar 1

Breeding of Horticultural crops

Marketing and Quality control of Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers

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

Links relevant to the MSc Horticulture course:

Agriculture Syllabus 2024

Horticulture Syllabus 2024

Popular Specializations

Q:   What is the course curriculum of M.Sc Horticulture?

A:

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. 

Q:   Which is the best book for M.Sc Horticulture?

A:

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

Books

Author

Principles of Horticulture

C R Adams

Textbook of Food Science & Technology

Avantina Sharma

Biopesticides Handbook

NPCS Board of Consultant and Engineer

Glaustas Horticulture

P Muthukumar and R Selvakumar

Basic Horticulture

Jitendra Singh and Kalyani Publishers

Handbook of Horticulture

Kusum Lata Chadha

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

Best MSc Horticulture Colleges in India

There are more than 180 MSc Horticulture colleges in India, of which, around 80 are private and 60 are government institutions. These colleges, along with offering the best learning facilities, offer great placement opportunities to the postgraduates. Interested can find the tables below for more college details:

Best Government Colleges for MSc Horticulture

Banaras Hindu University, Aligarh Muslim University, Calcutta University, BBAU, etc., are some of the top choices in government colleges in India for M.Sc Horticulture. Check the table for more options:

Best Government Colleges

MSc Horticulture Fees

Banaras Hindu University

INR 6,662

Aligarh Muslim University

-

University of Calcutta

INR 12,000

BBAU Lucknow

INR 6,000 – 7,000

Gujarat University

INR 54,000

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

INR 19,800

Mizoram University

INR 6,000

NEHU Shillong

INR 3,360

Central University of Tamil Nadu

INR 49,720

University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

-

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

Best Private Colleges for MSc Horticulture

SOA University, Amity University, Lovely Professional University, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, etc., are some of the top choices in private colleges in India for M.Sc Horticulture. Check the table for more options:

Best Private Colleges

MSc Horticulture Fees

Amity University Noida

INR 2.14 Lakh

Galgotias University

INR 1 Lakh

GLA University

INR 1.66 Lakh

Karunya University

INR 2.23 Lakh

LNCT University

-

Lovely Professional University

INR 4.8 Lakh

Rabindranath Tagore University

INR 1.1 Lakh

Sanskriti University

INR 1.40 Lakh

SOA University

INR 3 Lakh

Suresh Gyan Vihar University

INR 1.44 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

Links relevant to the M.Sc Horticulture course:

Best Horticulture colleges in India

Best Agriculture colleges in India

1 Course
6.66 K
9 LPA
2 Courses
5.85 K
2.16 L
3.7
1 Course
8.65 LPA
3 L
3.0
1 Course
12 K
9.2 LPA

Q:   Which is the best university in India to pursue M.Sc Horticulture ?

A:

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. 

Q:   Is there any college offering Distance M.Sc Horticulture degree in India?

A:

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.

Popular Private MSc Horticulture Colleges in India

1.33 L

Horticulture Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
4.8 L
6.6 LPA

Horticulture Applications open. Apply Now

3 Courses
4.8 L
6.6 LPA

Horticulture Applications open. Apply Now

2.23 L
3 LPA

Horticulture Applications open. Apply Now

3 L
4 LPA
2.16 L
3.7

MSc Horticulture Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

MSc Horticulture career scope is wide as the specialization deals in various fields including Research & Development Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Firms, Fertilizer Production Companies, Landscape Design and Interior Design firms, and more.

With specialized knowledge in plant harvesting including Breeding and Storage of Vegetables and Fruits, postgraduates can seek career options in numerous job profiles. In the table below, candidates can find some top M.Sc Horticulture job profiles along with salary details.

Know more about - Horticulture Career Scope

Jobs in Horticulture

Job Description

Average Salary

Horticulturist

Their role includes plant care, pest and disease management, research, crop management, etc.

INR 5.4 LPA

Floriculturist

Their job is to grow, care for, and manage flowering plants and their products for the floral industry, gardens, and export.

INR 3 LPA

Agricultural Analyst

They provide technical advice on economic trends within the agriculture industry as relates to livestock insurance and risk management.

INR 5.3 LPA

Seed Analyst

They perform microscopic analysis of small seeds by separating them into parts, calculating percentages of each component and recording results.

INR 4.4 LPA

Quality Controller

They ensure that products meet company and legal standards by inspecting and testing them throughout the manufacturing process.

INR 2.7 LPA

Plant Breeder

They research and improve plant characteristics to meet market demands and consumer needs.

INR 5 LPA

Agronomist

An Agronomist is responsible for optimizing crop production through soil analysis, pest management, and crop rotation planning.

INR 5.1 LPA

Note: The salary information is sourced from Ambitionbox.com.

Jobs in Horticulture Recommended Topics:

BSc Horticulture: Scope, Career Options and Employment Areas

MSc Horticulture Top Recruiters

Numerous Research & Development Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Firms, Fertilizer Production Companies, Landscape Design and Interior Design firms hire MSc Horticulture postgraduates for various job roles in India. Here are some top recruiters for M.Sc Horticulture in India, students can seek employment from:

MSc Horticulture Top Recruiters

National Horticulture Board (NHB)

Godrej Agrovet Limited

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

Nuziveedu Seeds

Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)

Organic India Private Limited

National Seeds Corporation (NSC)

Nature Bio-Foods Limited

Tata Chemicals

AAP Pharma Technologies, India Pvt Ltd

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.

Nurture.farm

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

Jobs in Horticulture Relevant Topics:

BSc Agriculture – Scope and Career Opportunities

Agriculture Career Scope

Q:   What are the career prospects after M.Sc Horticulture?

A:

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.

Q:   Which is the highest paying job in Horticulture field?

A:

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.

MSc Horticulture Course FAQs

Candidates can refer to this section for MSc Horticulture Course FAQs.

Q:   What is the process for admission to M.Sc Horticulture in a foreign university?

A:

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.

Q:   What are the best horticulture courses in India other than M.Sc Horticulture?

A:

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.

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Answered 2 days ago

BSc in Horticulture at Kalasalingam University is a four-year undergraduate degree programme, divided into eight semesters and offered in full-time mode. The eligibility criteria to get admission into this programme is candidates must complete their Class 12 from Science stream from these relevant s

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Rachit Kumar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a week ago

According to the present offerings, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) does not provide a dedicated horticulture course at the undergraduate or graduate level. To lay the groundwork for a career in horticultur JMI does offer a range of courses in related subjects like Agriculture Science Environmental Scien

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Ravi Babu

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Here are some of the top Horticulture college options offering the best placement opportunities in India:

Horticulture CollegesAverage Package Offered
Integral UniversityINR 13.55 LPA
Integral UniversityINR 3 - 9.3 LPA
University of CalcuttaINR 9.2 LPA
BAU SabourINR 9 LPA
Aligarh Muslim UniversityINR 8.65 LPA

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The Horticulture course fee varies depending on the college and course level. However, the average course fee ranges:

For UG Courses: INR 3,000 - INR 8 Lakh

For PG Courses: INR 1,800 - INR 6.7 Lakh

For PhD Courses: INR 1 Lacs - 3 Lakh

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The horticulture counselling process typically involves the following steps:

Application: Submit an application and register for admission.

Entrance exam: Take the entrance exam.

Cut-off: A cut-off is announced based on the candidates' performance.

Counselling: Candidates who score within the cut-off pa

...more

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10