BCA: Course, Admission, Syllabus, Colleges, Jobs, Scope

With the growing demand for IT professionals in nearly every industry, the demand for a BCA (bachelor in computer application) has skyrocketed lately. This 3-year bachelor’s program is suitable for students who want to build their careers in the IT sector. Like any other bachelor program, BCA has a duration of 3 years, which is further divided into six semesters. The main courses included in the program are networking, database, C++, Java, data structure, etc. 

This undergraduate degree helps students create a strong academic background in computer science. Unlike B.Tech and other specialized computer courses, BCA has flexible eligibility requirements. Students from any stream can enrol in the program given that they score 50% in the 10+2 grade. Once you have completed the program, you can get a job in an IT company as a software developer, data analyst, data engineer, software engineer, and more.

About BCA Course

• The student needs at least 50% marks in their 10+2 from any stream with computer science as an additional subject. 
• The fees of this course can range from INR 70,000 to INR 5 Lakh 
• Students need to take entrance tests to qualify for admission to a college offering a BCA program. Those who want to pursue the course abroad must take the language tests, such as TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS.
• The courses in the syllabus are based on computer applications, data, and networking.
• Students can pursue MCA after this undergraduate program or MBA Information System for better career opportunities.
• Once the program is over, students can apply for a job in any reputable IT industry.

BCA Course Details

Why a BCA?

There is a huge gap between the demand and supply of talent in the IT sector. As more and more companies are integrating big data into their management, the demand for applicants in this industry is growing rapidly. There is a great career scope for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer application. 

You can get a job after finishing graduation or pursue MCA to upgrade your skills for better opportunities. These courses teach you programming skills, such as Java, C++, and more. The starting salary for a BCA graduate is up to 5 LPA, but you can expect a raise once you become a proficient software engineer or data analyst. The salary of a professional computer application specialist can go up to INR 8 LPA.

Who should do a BCA?

• Anyone who is interested in pursuing their career in the IT and engineering industry can enrol in this 3-year undergraduate program
• The candidates who have passed their 10+2 with over 50% marks can apply
• You must be above 17 years to apply for this program

Note that the requirements for BCA vary from institute to institute. Make sure you check out the basic eligibility requirements of the institute before applying for this program.

BCA Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for a bachelor in Computer Application course can vary by the institute. Some colleges require the student to take entrance tests, while others accept admission applications based on merit. The minimum score in the 10+2 requirements can also vary for each student. Here are the basic eligibility requirements for students pursuing a degree in BCA.

• The candidate must score 50% aggregate marks in 10+2 from any stream with English as the main subject and computer science as an additional course
• The entrance test is needed to apply for BCA admission to some colleges.
• The minimum age for applying for BCA is 18 years while there is no maximum age limit.

BCA Admission Process

Some schools have their own admission process, while others may ask you to submit your merit results for admission. You need to pass the 12th standard with English, Maths, and Computer Science as your main subjects to become eligible for application. However, this is not a mandatory requirement in every college. It’s best to check the admission criteria of the college you are interested in. You can fill the BCA application form online or visit the college.

Required Skills for a BCA

You will become a skilled IT specialist once you have completed your bachelor’s degree in computer application. Some universities accept candidates with a basic understanding of computer science and programming languages. Other skills needed for admission to a prestigious college are discipline, good English, communication, leadership, teamwork, coordination, and technical knowledge.

BCA Specialisations

You can specialize in a programming language or learn more about networks. Here are a few popular specializations to consider if you are pursuing BCA:

• Animation
• Internet Technologies
• Programming languages (C, C++, Java, Python, etc.)
• Management Information System
• Accounting Application
• System Analysis
• Network Systems
• Music and Video Processing
• Database Management System
• Computer Graphics
• Data Analytics

BCA Entrance Exams in India

Many colleges in India accept students based on the marks they scored in the entrance tests. The common entrance exams for BCA are:

• IPU-CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)
• AIMA UGAT 
• GSAT (GITAM Science Admission Test)
• SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test)
• SUAT (Sharda University Admission Test)
• BUMAT (Bharati Vidyapeeth Undergraduate Management Aptitude Test)

These exams are conducted to test your general knowledge, computer knowledge, general English, intelligence and reasoning, and quantitative ability.

BCA Entrance Exam Syllabus

Bachelor in Computer Application is a comprehensive course. You need to take the entrance test before you get admission to your selected university. The entrance tests do not really have any syllabus. These exams are conducted to test your general awareness, English skills, and other reasoning skills. You can go over the computer science books of the 10th and 12th standards. Or, you can check out the previous year’s sample papers of the entrance tests to learn more about the exam pattern.

Top Colleges for a BCA in India

There are many private and government colleges for students pursuing BCA courses in India. The fees at each college vary depending on the infrastructure, mode of learning, faculty, and other factors. Here’s the list of the best colleges in India for BCA:

If you can’t pursue the BCA degree full-time or attend lectures regularly, you can complete your graduation from the distance learning mode. IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) is for students pursuing distance education remotely. The program costs you INR 40,200, divided at INR 6,700 per semester. You can also enrol in other colleges that offer BCA programs in distance learning mode. This includes Tamil Nadu Open University, School of Distance Education, Bharathiar University, and Suresh Gyan Vihar University.

Courses after a BCA

You can pursue your further education after completing Bachelor's in computer application. Note that there are multiple career paths for BCA students. The most popular option after completing your BCA program is the MCA (Master’s in Computer Application). It is a post-graduation degree that has a 2-year duration. A few other options you can consider after BCA are:

• Master of Business Administration
• Masters in Information Management
• CISCO Certified Network Professional
• Masters in Computer Management
• Information Security Management
• Post Graduate Program in Corporate Studies

Each course will lead you to a different career path. For example, students who complete the Masters in Information Management can get a job as MIS Director, Computer Network Architects, Chief Information Officer, Management Consultant, System Analyst, MIS Director, Management Consultant, and Mobile Application Developer.

Jobs & Salary after a BCA

Software designer and developer: To design software apps, user interface, user experience, and other elements of the software. A software developer can earn up to 5 LPA.

Web Designer: To design a website and set the layout of the same. A web designer can earn up to 5 LPA.

Customer Support Technician: The main role of a customer support technician is to help resolve the technical issues customers are facing. It includes troubleshooting and other technical problems.

Software Tester: A software tester tests the software in the development stage and after the development is over to ensure that the system is free of bugs.

Junior Programmer: If you are looking for a job at a reputable company after your BCA, you may get hired as a junior programmer who assists the executives and other developers. The average salary of a junior programmer is INR 3,50,000.

Top Recruiters for a BCA

Once you have completed your bachelor’s program, you can find a job in any recognized company in India. It’s better to pursue your further education, as it will make your profile better. The top recruiters looking for BCA graduates are:

Conclusion

BCA mainly focuses on imparting the required IT skills to the students and educating them to get positioned in the IT trade. Once BCA is completed, the students can choose from ample options in different trades like Software development, Banks, the Education sector, many other private organizations, and MNCs.

FAQs About BCA