MSC Agriculture: Eligibility, College, Career Scope & Salary

Agriculture has always been the backbone of the global economy, especially in countries like India, where it contributes significantly to GDP and employment. With modern technology, sustainable practices, and research-driven approaches, agriculture is evolving into a more advanced field. 

This course not only enhances subject knowledge but also opens doors to diverse career opportunities in teaching, research, agribusiness, and the government sector. If you are planning to pursue a career in agriculture, here is a simple guide to MSC Agriculture covering eligibility, subjects, colleges, career scope, and average salary.

What is MSc Agriculture?

Running for 1-2 years, MSc Agriculture is a post-graduate programme that keeps a learner abreast of agricultural development and related scientific innovations. Apart from imparting scientific knowledge related to the field of agriculture and farming, the course also emphasises agricultural machinery, plant biology, plant management, as well as biochemistry. Furthermore, to provide hands-on experience, the course curriculum also involves industry training/dissertation projects.

Why Study MSc Agriculture

Pursuing MSc Agriculture equips students with advanced knowledge in farming, crop management, and sustainable practices. MSc in Agriculture can be a life-changing decision for students passionate about farming, food production, and sustainability. Here are some main reasons to study an MSc in agriculture: 

• Most Dreaming Field: Agriculture is one of the largest employment-generating sectors. Skilled professionals are needed for modern agricultural development.
• Learn New Technology: Students can contribute to innovation in crop productivity, pest management, and climate-resilient farming. This will considerably help the agricultural industry grow.
• Diverse Career Options: MSc Agriculture opens a door in teaching, government jobs, agribusiness, NGOs, and international organisations like FAO, WHO, and ICAR.
• Sustainability & Food Security: The degree allows you to contribute toward addressing global challenges like food scarcity and climate change.

MSC Agriculture Course Detailed

The section provides an in-depth look at the MSc Agriculture program, covering course structure, duration, subject, specialisation, eligibility criteria, and the skills students gain to build a successful career in agriculture.

Here is a comprehensive overview table of the MSc Agriculture course, including everything: 

Course Name	Master of Science in Agriculture (MSc Agriculture)
Level	Postgraduate
Duration	2 Years
Eligibility	BSc in Agriculture or related field with minimum 50-60% marks
Admission Process	Entrance Exam/Merit-based
Popular Entrance Exam	ICAR AIEEA, CUET-PG, BHU PET, CUCET
Job Positions	Research Scientist, Corporate Sales Manager, Breeder, Agronomist, Farm Manager, Lecturer/Professor and Field Officer
Top Recruiters	Monsanto India, Bayer Crop Science, Coromandel Fertilisers, Buhler India, etc
Average Fee	INR 50,000- INR 200,000 per Years

MSC Agriculture Popular Specialisations

From Animal Husbandry to Plant Pathology, Agriculture is a vast domain. Not only can you explore courses that can help you establish a career in Research, but you can also specialise in modules dealing with management and marketing.

Students from a wide range of specialisations, depending on their interests. Here we have mentioned the top specialisations that you can choose while pursuing an MSc Agriculture program:

Agricultural Botany	Agricultural Microbiology	Agricultural Chemistry
AgriEconomics	Entomology	Extension Education
Natural Resources	Plant Breeding & Genetics	Food Innovation
Soil Science	Forestry	Food Science & Technology
Farming System Management	Horticulture Mycology	Tea Husbandry
Ecological Economics	Poultry Science	Wildlife Forensics
Global Food Security and Nutrition	Animal Welfare and Conservation	Equine Science
Organic Agriculture	Agriculture and Development	Rural Development
Forestry	Dairy Science	Fisheries Science

MSc Agriculture Syllabus

The MSC agriculture syllabus covers advanced topics like agronomy, soil science, plant breeding, biotechnology, and agricultural economics, along with practical training, fieldwork, and research projects to prepare students for diverse roles in the agriculture sector. Here we have mentioned the year-wise syllabus for MSc Agriculture:

Year 1	Year 2
Extension Education	Entomology
Plant Breeding & Genetics	Horticulture
Biotechnology	Agronomy
Plant Physiology	Agricultural Economics & Farm Management
Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry	Plant Pathology
Food Science & Technology	Forestry

Some Popular Subjects in the MSc Agriculture Course

Being a vast field of study, there are scores of subjects that are taught throughout the journey of the course. While some subjects are compulsory, others are offered in the form of electives.

Tabulated below are some of the major subjects included in the MSc Agriculture course curriculum. 

Agronomy	Agricultural Botany	Agricultural Economics
Extension Education	Animal Husbandry	Dairy Science
Crop Production	Agricultural Meteorology	Harvest Technology
Agricultural Entomology	Horticulture	Plant Pathology
Soil Science	Agriculture Chemistry	Food Sustainability
Gene Modification and Technology	Seed Technology	Marketing Management

Top Universities for MSc Agriculture

Now that you are familiar with the basic details about the course, let’s take a glance at some of the popular universities offering MSc Agriculture abroad or its related specialisations.

Here is a list of some top universities abroad offering an MSc in agriculture program with their QS World Ranking 2026:

University	QS Ranking 2026
University of Hull	=526
University of British Columbia	40
University of Glasgow	79
The University of Western Australia	77
Lincoln University	407
University of Canterbury	261
The University of Adelaide	–
Macquarie University	=138
Swinburne University of Technology	=249
Curtin University	183
The University of Otago	=197
Australian National Universaity	–

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Top College for MSc Agriculture in India

Explore the best MSc agriculture college in India, offering quality education, practical training, and strong career opportunities in modern agriculture.

Here are the top colleges for MSc agriculture in India that offer course options in the agriculture field:

Colleges	Location
Indian Agricultural Research Institutes (IARI)	New Delhi
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)	Varanasi
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University	Coimbatore
GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology	Pantnagar
University of Agricultural Science	Bangalore
University of Calcutta	Calcutta
Punjab Agriculture University	Ludhiana
Chandigarh University	Punjab
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University	Tamil Nadu
Vellore Institute of Technology	Vellore
Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University	Guntur
Cochin University of Science and Technology	Cochin

Skills Required for MSc Agriculture

To succeed in MSc Agriculture, students need strong analytical skills, research aptitude, problem-solving ability, and a keen interest in modern farming techniques and sustainability.

Candidates can check the list of top skills required to pursue an MSc in Agriculture in the table below:

• Observation skills
• Numerical skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-Solving Ability
• Critical Thinking skills
• Interest in Agriculture and Framing
• Knowledge of plant biology
• Communication skill

Eligibility Criteria MSc Agriculture

Though the eligibility criteria will vary from one university to another, here are some of the general qualifications you need to have to pursue an MSc Agriculture course:

• A bachelor’s degree, like a BSc in Agriculture or its variant, from a recognised college/university with minimum marks as stipulated by the concerned university.
• Valid English proficiency test scores, like those of IELTS/TOEFL
• While some universities mandatorily require GRE scores, others don’t.
• Work experience may also be an entry requirement for pursuing an MSc in Agriculture; however, not mandatory.
• Apart from this, SOP, LORs, transcripts, and an updated CV/resume are also required.
• If you wish to pursue this degree in India, you may need the same requirements related to the UG degree, along with a good score in entrance exams.

MSc Agriculture Entrance Exam 

MSc agriculture entrance exams like ICAR AIIEA, CUET_PG, and state-level tests assess students’ knowledge in agriculture, biology and related subjects to secure admission into top universities and colleges. Here are some of the main entrance exams with their important dates:

Entrance Exam	Registration Dates	Exam Dates
ICAR AIEEA (PG)	My 6- June 5, 2025	July 3, 2025
CUET PG	Feb 12- April 1, 2025	Conducted
MCAER PG CET	Feb 1- May 20, 2025	Conducted
OUAT	March 18- April 24, 2025	Conducted
Allahabad PGAT	July 1-  July 2, 2025	Conducted

Must Read: Agriculture Colleges in India

Admission Process

It varies from university to university to get admission to the master of Science in Agriculture. One fortunate availability is the presence of help from Leverage Edu. You can avail of our services, and we can guide you, step by step, to enrol in a university of your choice. 

Admission Process for Abroad

The admission process for MSc Agriculture abroad typically involves meeting academic eligibility criteria. Here’s an easy 5-step process to complete your application process for pursuing an MSc in Agriculture Abroad:

1. Call our experts on 1800 572 000 to shortlist your favourite universities and courses. Start your application to multiple universities through our one-dashboard platform
2. Compile all your documents like SOPs, essays, certificates, and LORs and exam scores like ELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc
3. Meet all the application deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, student visas, and scholarships/student loans
4. Accept the offer letter and meet your teachers, college mates, and roommates virtually
5. Get your visa approved and fly to your dream university.

Admission Process for India

The admission for MSc Agriculture in India is usually based on entrance exams like ICAR, AIEEA, CUET-PG, or state-level tests.

The MSc agricultural admissions procedure in India is as follows:

1. Candidates interested in pursuing an MSc in agriculture must first determine whether they match the eligibility requirements.
2. Candidates who qualify for admission must go to the university’s website and fill out an application form.
3. Personal information, academic information, and other details are included in the application form.
4. Candidates seeking entrance-based admission must register for the entrance examination and pass it with the required cutoff, but students seeking merit-based admission are not obliged to take the entrance examination.
5. After the university receives all application forms and entrance examination scores, a profile assessment is performed, and students are admitted based on the merit list.

Cost of Studying

Tuition for the MSc Agriculture abroad varies based on the nation and university. Tuition fees might vary even between universities in the same nation. Similarly, the cost of living is affected by your university’s location.

Some countries are less expensive than others. As a result, tuition and living expenses become critical considerations when deciding to study abroad. We present an approximate tuition fee as well as the cost of living abroad below:

Particular	Average Cost In India (Per Year)	Average Cost In Abroad (Per Year)
Tuition fee	INR 3-4 LPA	USD 65,00
Accommodation & Living Expenses	INR 12,000-15,000	USD 14,000

Career Options After MSC Agriculture 

After completing an MSc in agriculture, graduates can explore multiple career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Here we have highlighted the job opportunities in different sectors: 

Government Sector Job	Private Sector Jobs	Academia & Research
Agriculture Officer	Agribusiness Manager	Lecturer
Research Scientist (ICAR, IAI, State Agriculture Boards)	Seed Technologist	Assistant Professor
Food Inspector	Quality Assurance Officer (Food Industry)	Research Fellow
Soil Scientist	Agriculture Consultant	Agriculture Scientists
Rural Development Officer	Farm Manager

Employment Areas

Being a vast field of study, there are innumerable career opportunities for you to explore after completing the MSc Agriculture abroad or even from India. Some of the major work areas and profiles you can work in: 

• Fruit Orchards
• Agricultural Production Centres
• Cotton, Jute, Tobacco Companies
• Educational Institutes
• Coffee and Rubber Plantations
• Fertilizer Companies
• National Seed Companies
• FMCG Companies
• Agriculture & Rural Development National Banks
• Pesticide Control Centres
• Research and Development Centres
• Tea Gardens

Average Salary After MSc Agriculture

The Master of Science degree is intended to broaden your options, whether you are an experienced agricultural worker or are just beginning your new career. Agriculture transcends national boundaries. Based on your educational and employment history, as well as what you study in the Master’s of Agriculture, you can pursue a career in a variety of disciplines. In the United States, an agricultural scientist’s income ranges from USD 59,000 to USD 90,000 per year. The wage range varies according to education, skills, and experience. Meanwhile, the average annual pay for an agricultural scientist in the United States is USD 74,000.

The average salary that you can expect to earn after completing an MSc in Agriculture is around INR 2,00,000- 3,00,000 PA. On the other hand, those who wish to set up a business of their own may earn varied amounts.

Future Scope of MSc Agriculture

Discover higher study options, research opportunities, and career growth prospects after completing an MSC in agriculture. Here we have added the future scope that you can explore after an MSc in agriculture:

• After completing an MSc in Agriculture, one can explore various options like a PhD and research programs, and also explore international job options with FAO, UNDP, and WHO. You can start your work with AgriTech startups.

• MSc Agriculture graduates can pursue a teaching career at a variety of educational institutions. He or she may also pursue a PhD in a field of interest.
• Students may also pursue employment in the public and private sectors. Numerous organisations offer high-paying opportunities to MSc in Agriculture students.
• Students who want to work in government will have to take a variety of entrance exams. They will also take the UPSC exam.
• Government banks are also looking for MSc in Agriculture students for employment that involves providing agricultural loans to farmers.

FAQs

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