MSc Horticulture is a two-year postgraduate course that provides students with advanced knowledge and practical skills needed for modern plant cultivation, covering fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and other horticultural crops. The MSc Horticulture eligibility criteria include having a cleared BSc or BSc Honors in Agriculture or BSc in Horticulture from a recognised institute with a minimum of 55-60% aggregate marks. A 5% relaxation is offered for the reserved category. Most colleges that offer admission to MSc Horticulture are based on the merit obtained in a Bachelor's; however, national-level entrance tests such as CUET PG or ICAR AIEEA are also considered for admission to MSc. Horticulture.
The fee for an MSc in Horticulture ranges from INR 1,00,000 to INR 3,00,000 per year at both government and private universities that offer this program. Lovely Professional University, Graphic Era University, Amity University, School of Planning and Architecture, SGT University, and Sri Ramaswaroop Memorial University are a few of the well-known colleges offering B.Plan.
The MSc Horticulture jobs include roles such as Horticulturist, Agriculture Officer, Research Assistant, Seed Analyst, Floriculturist, Landscape Designer, Nursery Manager, Plant Breeder, Technical Sales Executive, with salaries ranging from INR 2.5 LPA to INR 6 LPA per year for freshers, with salaries increasing over time with experience.
Table of Contents
- MSc Horticulture Course Highlights
- What is MSc Horticulture?
- Why should you pursue an MSc in Horticulture?
- Who should pursue an MSc. in Horticulture?
- MSc in Horticulture Eligibility Criteria
- MSc Horticulture Entrance Exams
- MSc Horticulture Colleges
- MSc Horticulture Admission Process
- MSc Horticulture Syllabus
- MSc Horticulture Jobs and Salary
- MSc Horticulture Vs MSc Botany
- MSc Horticulture FAQs
MSc Horticulture Course Highlights
The candidates need to get complete details of the course before opting to enroll in it. The details of MSc Horticulture are highlighted in the table below:
What is MSc Horticulture?
MSc Horticulture is a four-year postgraduate course about the scientific study and practical application of cultivating and managing high-value crops. The course is offered in many specializations such as Pomology (Fruit Science), Olericulture (Vegetable Science), Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (PSMA), Post-Harvest Technology, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Protected Cultivation/Greenhouse Management, Organic Horticulture, and Hand Horticultural Biotechnology.
Why should you pursue an MSc in Horticulture?
The benefits and reasons for pursuing MSc Horticulture:
- M.Sc in Horticulture teaches you modern methods like hydroponics, greenhouse cultivation, and landscape design.
- M.Sc in Horticulture offers career opportunities in research, agribusiness, and sustainable farming.
- The course helps the candidates to prepare for government jobs like horticulture officer and agricultural consultant.
- The candidates will be able to gain entrepreneurial skills to start a nursery, organic farm, or landscaping business.
- The course emphasizes eco-friendly techniques to meet the rising demand for green spaces and healthy produce.
Who should pursue an MSc. in Horticulture?
The M.Sc in Horticulture is the perfect course to opt for if candidates want to have an advanced career. The individuals with the following qualities should pursue M.Sc in Horticulture:
- Students who love plants, gardening, and eco-friendly farming.
- Those who want to learn in-depth about fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.
- Anyone curious about new farming methods like hydroponics and greenhouse growing.
- The candidates who are interested in research and development, and who want jobs in research, agribusiness, or government agriculture.
- The future entrepreneurs who dream of running nurseries or organic farms.
MSc in Horticulture Eligibility Criteria
The Eligibility criteria for MSc in Horticulture are given below:
- Having cleared a BSc or BSc Honors in Agriculture or BSc in Horticulture of four years or any other equivalent examination from a recognised institute with a minimum of 55-60% aggregate marks.
- A 5% relaxation is offered for the reserved category.
- Along with this, the candidates need to qualify for the entrance exams such as CUET PG or ICAR AIEEA to be considered for admission to MSc Horticulture.
MSc Horticulture Entrance Exams
Most colleges offer admission to MSc Horticulture based on merit; however, national-level entrance tests such as CUET PG are also considered for admission. The details about the national-level entrance are mentioned below:
MSc Horticulture Colleges
The details about colleges offering the MSc Horticulture course are mentioned in the table below:
MSc Horticulture Admission Process
The admission process of M.Sc in Horticulture might differ from college to college. The steps of the admission process of MSc Horticulture at Lovely Punjab University
Step 1: Register on LPU Admit and fill out the admission details such as Name, Number of marks in the qualifying exam, Email ID, Mobile No., State, Gender, and Password, etc. The email ID given will act as a Username, while the password can be set by you.
Step 2: Appear for LPU NEST by filling the form and payment of the test fees, which is INR 1000 for soft copy and INR 1500 for print.
Step 3: After receiving your password in the mail, log in to LPUadmit and deposit the initial payment of INR 10,000.
Step 4: After the successful payment, a provisional registration number will be sent. Complete the admission process by uploading the required documents.
Step 5: The admission is confirmed after the successful verification of the documents by the University and payment of the balance fee.
Documents Required
- Recent Photograph
- Matriculation Marksheet
- Qualifying exam Certificate/ Marksheet.
- Address Proof
MSc Horticulture Syllabus
The MSc Horticulture syllabus is similar in all colleges and differs according to the specialization. The syllabus of M.Sc in Horticulture Fruit Science of Lovely Punjab University is mentioned below:
MSc Horticulture Jobs and Salary
After completing the M.Sc in horticulture course, students can pursue various popular job profiles and can earn a good salary based on their experiences, skills, and location. The details of MSc Horticulture jobs are given in the table below:
MSc Horticulture Vs MSc Botany
M.Sc Horticulture is more practical and plant-focused, that is to say, the growing, cultivation, management, and production of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and landscaping. On the other hand, M.Sc Botany major is a scientific study in botany that deals with the anatomy of plants, physiology of plants, genetics and ecology.
MSc Horticulture FAQs
How long is M.Sc in Horticulture?
The duration of the most of the MSc Horticulture courses is approximately 2 years and are divided into four semesters. Part-time, research-based options are available in some universities and they may require slightly more time. This may require some additional time, in case your program consists of internships or thesis.
Which skills will I be able to gain during MSc Horticulture?
These candidates will equip themselves in plant science, pest control, greenhouse managements, and landscape design. The research, problem-solving and project-handling skills are also developed in the course. These will train them to work in the industry and the academia.
Is MSc Horticulture a high-paid profession?
The salary varies with job, experience, and field of work. Research jobs and government jobs are well-paid, but there is the possibility of earning more by starting own nursery or farming business. With the increased interest in sustainable agriculture and landscape, there is also an increased earning potential.
Is there a possibility of ga overnment job after M.Sc in Horticulture?
Yes, the job candidates may opt to work as an agriculture officer, horticulture officer or a research associate. Such opportunities can be achieved by clearing competitive exams conducted by the state or central governments. The candidates are also able to work with agricultural boards or universities, or research bodies.
What is the scope of M.Sc in Horticulture?
The scope of a career with M.Sc in Horticulture is notable and has been increasing in both the government and the industry sector of India, with an option of pursuing a career in research, industry, government, academics, and entrepreneurship. The demand is also increasing because of urbanization, sustainable agriculture programs, and increasing interest on high-value crop production.
