The full form of BCA is Bachelors in Computer Application. BCA is a 3-year undergraduate degree program that focuses on knowledge of the basics of computer application and software development.
A BCA degree is considered to be at par with a BTech/BE degree in Computer Science or Information Technology. The degree helps interested students in setting up a sound academic base for an advanced career in Computer Applications. The course of BCA includes database management systems, operating systems, software engineering, web technology, and languages such as C, C++, HTML, Java, etc.
RELATED: Best 100+ Famous and Inspiring Quotes On Life 2023
Table of Contents
It is a highly popular course amongst students aspiring to establish a career in established IT companies like HP, Accenture, Capgemini, and Cognizant and new-age technology startups like Flipkart.
Professionals skilled in Computer Science are in huge demand since a lot of manpower-based jobs are getting digitized. This is a software-related course where a professional well-versed in programming languages always stands out. The average salary package post-BCA varies between INR 4 LPA to 10 LPA depending on the company and the specific role/designation. A BCA graduate has scope in jobs such as Software Engineer, Web Designer, and System Analyst.
BCA: Course Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | Class 12 pass from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Merit-based/ Exam based |
| BCA Recruiting Organizations | HCL, HP, Infosys, TCS, Capgemini, Cognizant, Flipkart, Amazon, and others |
| BCA Jobs | Software Developers, Technical Analysts, System Administrators, Programmers, Tech support, and others |
| Average Course Fee | INR 70,000 – 2 Lakh |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2 – 8 Lakh |
| BCA Subjects | Data Structures, Hardware Lab, Operating Systems, Database Management, User Interface Design, UNIX Programming, Financial Management, etc. |
Eligibility for BCA Course
To pursue a BCA program, one need not have Physics, Chemistry, and Maths as subjects in Class 12. In fact, candidates who have pursued Arts or Commerce in class XII can also join the course.
Basic eligibility requirements for a BCA course:
- Aspirants must have passed Class 12 from any stream with English as a subject with a minimum of 45 to 55 percent marks in aggregate (the pass percentage might vary from college to college).
- While some colleges/universities admit aspirants on a merit basis, others admit students on the basis of personal interviews and written examinations.
- The admission process will generally start around the month of March- April 2023 and some colleges start conducting their own admission process.
Note: The eligibility criteria might differ from college to college.
Popular Entrance Examination for BCA Course
Candidates seeking admission to the BCA course should fulfill the eligibility criteria to contest the entrance examination. Different institutes conduct the entrance examination to admit eligible candidates only. Check the list of some popular BCA entrance examinations and conducting bodies below:
| Exam | Conducting Body |
|---|---|
| Common University Entrance Test | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Management Aptitude Test (BU MAT) | Bharatiya Vidyapeeth University, Pune |
| Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning Admissions Test (SSSIHLAT) | Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning |
| RAMA University Entrance Test (RUET) | Rama University, Uttar Pradesh |
| Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU-CET) | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University |
| Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) | Symbiosis International University |
| North Maharashtra University Undergraduate Common Entrance Test (NMU UG CET) | North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon |
| Gitam Science Admissions Test (GSAT) | Gitam University |
| Lucknow University Computer Science Admission Test (LUCSAT) | Lucknow University |
| AIMA UGAT | All India Management Association |
Required Skillset for BCA Course
| Skillset for BCA | |
|---|---|
| Strong programming knowledge | Sound knowledge of Computers and IT |
| Ability to develop applications for practical aspects | Analytical Thinking |
| Strong communication skills | Creativity |
| Teamwork | Strong database concepts |
Specializations for BCA Course
Some popular BCA specializations available for admission are:
- Internet Technologies
- Animation
- Network Systems
- Programming Languages (C++, JAVA, etc.)
- Systems Analysis
- Music and Video Processing
- Management Information System (MIS)
- Accounting Application
Syllabus for BCA Course
The basic syllabus of BCA typically lays emphasis on database management systems, operating systems, software engineering, computer architecture, web technology, and languages such as C, C++, HTML, Java, etc.
Here’s an overview of the syllabus/subjects you would likely study in a BCA program across 6 semesters:
| BCA Semester 1 | BCA Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Hardware Lab (CIA Only) | Case Tools Lab (CIA Only) |
| Creative English | Communicative English |
| Foundational Mathematics | Basic Discrete Mathematics |
| Statistics I For BCA | Operating Systems |
| Digital Computer Fundamentals | Data Structures |
| Introduction To Programming Using C | Data Structures Lab |
| C Programming Lab | Visual Programming Lab |
| PC Software Lab | |
| BCA Semester 3 | BCA Semester 4 |
| Interpersonal Communication | Professional English |
| Introductory Algebra | Financial Management |
| Financial Accounting | Computer Networks |
| Software Engineering | Programming In Java |
| Database Management Systems | Java Programming Lab |
| Object Oriented Programming Using C++ | DBMS Project Lab |
| C++ Lab | Web Technology Lab |
| Oracle Lab | Language Lab(CIA Only) |
| Domain Lab (Cia Only) | |
| BCA Semester 5 | BCA Semester 6 |
| Unix Programming | Design And Analysis Of Algorithms |
| OOAD Using UML | Client-Server Computing |
| User Interface Design | Computer Architecture |
| Graphics And Animation | Cloud Computing |
| Python Programming | Multimedia Applications |
| Business Intelligence | Introduction To Soft Computing |
| Unix Lab | Advanced Database Management System |
| Web Designing Project | |
| Graphics And Animation Lab | |
| Python Programming Lab | |
| Business Intelligence Lab |
Top BCA Colleges in India: Fees and Salary
The fees for BCA generally range from INR 37,500 to 5 lakh. The minimum and most important eligibility criteria for BCA followed across all colleges is 45 percent marks in Class 12 or equivalent examination. There are no subject-level restrictions for pursuing BCA as students with any subjects in Class 11 and 12 can apply for BCA, unlike BTech. A number of colleges offer BCA admission and hence sometimes it becomes difficult to choose the best college for admission. Here is the list of some popular BCA colleges in India along with the total fees and average salary offered:
BCA Course Fee in Private Colleges and Salary Offered
| Colleges Name | Total Fees | Salary Offered (in Lakh Per Annum |
|---|---|---|
| Loyola College | INR 1.44 L | INR 3.92 |
| Kristu Jayanti College | INR 2.27 L to 2.42 L | INR 4.5 |
| Amity University, Noida | INR 6.36 L | – |
| Women’s Christian College | INR 1.87 L | INR 2.48 |
| Banasthali Vidyapith | INR 3.09 L | INR 2.6 |
| St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad | INR 47.72 K | INR 2.22 |
| Presidency College | INR 2.4 L | INR 3.45 |
| Jagan Institute of Management Studies, Rohini, Sector-5 | INR 2.59 | – |
BCA Course Fees in Government Colleges and Salary Offered
| Colleges Name | Total Fees | Salary Offered (in Lakh Per Annum |
|---|---|---|
| Madras Christian College | INR 1.02 L | INR 2.52 |
| S.S. Jain Subodh PG College | INR 69,500 K | INR 8.5 |
| PSG College of Arts and Science | INR 1.57 L | INR 2.49 |
| Guru Nanak College | – | INR 3.0 |
What after BCA?
This is one of the most common questions asked by candidates. You could give an instant thrust to your career by pursuing MCA (Masters of Computer Applications) after BCA.
Also Read: Top specialisations you can opt for after BCA
However, there are other options too that you could consider doing after completing your BCA degree:
- Prepare for CAT and go for an MBA in IT Management.
- Complete your Master’s degree by studying MSC (IT).
- Go for a networking diploma and prepare for CCNP or CCNA certification.
- Prepare for Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) Certification or Redhat certifications and work as a System Administrator or Desktop Technician or Help desk Assistant.
- You could also improve your teaching skills and work as a computer teacher/instructor in school, universities and colleges.
- If you are good in web programming then improve your coding skills and make your career in Web Development. You can also work as an independent web designer.
- A lot of BCA graduates also go for government jobs. You could consider one too.
Top Job Profiles for BCA Course
In the ever-growing, IT industry, the demand for BCA graduates is increasing rapidly. With a BCA degree, candidates can find lucrative job opportunities in private as well as public sectors.
Some of the job profiles that one can bag after completing a BCA program is that of a:
- System Engineer
- Software Tester
- Junior Programmer
- Web Developer
- System Administrator
- Software Developer
Top Recruiters for BCA Course
Some of the leading IT companies recruiting BCA graduates include:
- Oracle
- IBM
- Infosys
- TCS
- Accenture
- Capgemini
- Wipro
- NIIT
- HCL
Government organizations like the Indian Air Force(IAF), Indian Army, and Indian Navy hire a large number of computer professionals for their IT departments.
As far as the salary is concerned, a fresher working for a leading MNC might get a salary ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 40,000 per month. However, it was reported that IT giants like Facebook, Microsoft, etc pay a six-figure salary to fresh graduates they hire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
Q. What is a BCA course?
A. BCA or Bachelor of Computer Applications is an undergraduate course that will build the knowledge of the students regarding computer language. By completing this three-year course, the students will be able to build their careers in the field of Information Technology. The various domains under the BCA course are:
- Database management systems
- Software engineering
- HTML
Q. I have finished my 10+2 with the Arts stream. Am I eligible for BCA?
A. Yes. Candidates of any stream from a recognized institute will be eligible for BCA admissions. English is a compulsory subject that will be required for admission by many institutes. Aspirants must have passed Class 12 from any stream with English as a subject with a minimum of 45 to 55 percent marks in aggregate (the pass percentage might vary from college to college). While some colleges/universities admit aspirants on a merit basis, others admit students on the basis of personal interviews and written examinations.
Q. What is the scope of BCA?
A. Due to the ever-growing requirement of technology, the demand for BCA graduates is increasing rapidly. After graduation, BCA students can opt to work for leading IT companies or Government organizations. Candidates can complete their Master’s degree by studying MSC (IT). They can also improve their teaching skills and work as a computer teacher/instructor in schools, universities, and colleges.
Q. What is BCA’s salary?
A. BCA graduates will earn according to the company that they are recruited to and as per their experience. Freshers in Multinational companies may earn up to INR 40,000 per month and those recruited to top companies will even earn a higher salary. The average salary post-BCA is between a range of INR 4 LPA to INR 10 LPA and they can work as Software Engineers or Systems Engineers.
Q. Are BCA and BTech equal?
A. While BCA is the study of computer applications, BTech in Computer Science Engineering focuses on training students about computer engineering and hardware. Both courses are good programs to choose from and depend on the interest of the students and their career goals.
Q. What are the top recruiters for BCA?
A. After graduating with BCA, the students can apply and are recruited into top companies such as :
- Infosys
- Wipro
- Mphasis
- IBM
- Microsoft
Q. What options are there after BCA?
A. After graduation, BCA students can either opt to start their career in the IT industry or pursue higher education by opting for MCA, MBA, or MSc. Those who are good with web programming can improve their coding skills and make a career in Web Development. One can also work as an independent web designer. Also, a lot of BCA graduates can go for government jobs wherein hiring is done by government departments for Systems Analysts.
Q. Which are the top colleges to pursue BCA?
A. Some of the top colleges for BCA are:
- Loyola College, Chennai
- Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan
- Presidency College, Bangalore
- Madras Christian College, Chennai
Q. What are the subjects taught under BCA?
A. Some of the subjects taught under the BCA course are:
- User Interface Design
- Multimedia Applications
- Financial Management
- Operating Systems
- C Programming Lab
Q. What are the top job profiles for BCA graduates?
A. Some of the top job profiles for BCA graduates are:
- Software Engineer
- Web Analyst
- Software Developer
- Web Developer
- Systems Analyst
- Back End Developer
- Network Engineer
- Front End Developer
- Software Architect
- Hardware Engineer
- Customer Support Technician
Q. What are the top specializations which are offered in the BCA course?
A. Some popular BCA specializations available for admission are:
- Internet Technologies
- Animation
- Network Systems
- Programming Languages (C++, JAVA, etc.)
- Systems Analysis
