BCA: Full Form, Course, Duration, Fees, Admission, Subjects, Career Options

BCA: Full Form, Course, Duration, Fees, Admission, Subjects, Career Options

Edited By Ankita Sinha | Updated on Nov 16, 2024 03:52 PM IST | #B.C.A.

BCA full form is Bachelor of Computer Applications, an undergraduate degree programme in computer application and information technology. Over 4000 colleges and universities in India offer BCA degrees. BCA courses can be pursued by students from any background. The BCA course duration is three years.

The BCA curriculum provides comprehensive knowledge of computer application and computer science. Some of the core topics covered are fundamentals of computer science, programming languages, data management, networking, web designing, and operating systems. The course equips the students with both theoretical and practical skills that are required for working in the IT Industry.

Students who have successfully completed their 10+2 from a recognised board in India can apply for the BCA course. DCRUST Murthal, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences and Bundelkhand University Jhansi are some of the popular BCA colleges in India.

Some of the career options available for BCA students are Software Developer, Software Tester, Database Administrator, Web Developer, and System Analyst. Companies that hire graduates are Cognizant, Infosys, HCL, Deloitte, Microsoft, Oracle, Facebook, Twitter, Sapient, IBM, and Deutsche Bank. The salary of BCA graduates ranges from Rs. 4 LPA to Rs. 8 LPA.

BCA- Important Dates

15 May 2025 - 24 May 2025- CUET UG Exam in online mode (Tentative)

What is BCA Full Form?

The full form of BCA is Bachelor of Computer Applications. BCA is a three-year undergraduate degree programme in the field of computer applications. Candidates can apply for careers such as Software Developer, Graphic Designer, Business Analyst, and Database Engineer after graduation.

BCA Course Details

ParticularsValues
Degree NameBCA
BCA Full Form

Bachelor of Computer Applications

BCA Course Duration3 Years
BCA Entrance ExamsBUMAT, CUET UG, IPU CET
BCA Eligibility Criteria

10+2 from a recognised university

BCA Course Fees

Rs. 46,450 to Rs. 12.18 Lakhs

Average BCA Salary

Rs. 12.10 LPA (Database Administrator)

BCA Career Options

Software Developer, Software Tester, Junior Programmer, Database Administrator, System Analyst

BCA Employment areas

IT, Banking, Advertising, Media, Government Agencies

BCA Top Recruiters

Cognizant, Infosys, HCL, Deloitte, Microsoft, Oracle, Facebook, Twitter, Capgemini, NIIT, IBM, Deutsche Bank

BCA Course Fees

Students are advised to check the BCA course fees along with other costs associated with the course before applying for admission. It may vary depending on the institute, private institutes are often more expensive as compared to a government institute. The average fees for a BCA course generally range from Rs. 42,000 to Rs. 12.18 Lakhs.

Why Choose BCA?

There are various benefits of pursuing a BCA degree. It provides the students with a variety of skills that they can apply to various job profiles, such as software developers, web designers, and data analysts. Graduates having experience in computer science and IT fields are highly desired and many international companies are ready to pay high salaries.

Students can also apply to various multinational companies in India and abroad. Some of the work settings of a BCA graduate are Information Technology, academia, and finance-related job roles.

BCA Eligibility Criteria

Each college prescribes the eligibility criteria for the BCA course as per the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Students from any stream can apply for this course. They can check these details either on the official website of the institute or the programme brochure. In the table below, we have mentioned the BCA eligibility criteria.

Eligibility ParametersDetails
Educational Qualification10+2 from a recognised board in India
Aggregate score criteria50 per cent (for general), 5-10 per cent relaxation for reserved category applicants
Age LimitNo prescribed age limit
Compulsory SubjectsSome colleges require Mathematics to be a compulsory subject

BCA Admission Process

The admission procedure for a BCA course depends on both the entrance examination and merit score. It usually takes place in the online mode. Students who have met the eligibility requirements can apply for admission. Listed below is the admission procedure for the BCA degree programme.

  • BCA admissions are either based on merit score or entrance examination depending on the institute. CUET UG and IPU CET are the popular entrance exams.
  • After successfully clearing these entrance examinations, a merit list will be prepared based on the cutoff score of the students. Students will be allotted the college depending on the merit achieved.
  • In addition to the entrance examinations, some colleges may conduct personal interviews, group discussions, and/or aptitude tests.
  • Upon clearing all admission tests, students should pay the course fees or any other costs associated with the course and submit the relevant documents.

Top BCA Entrance Exams

Many entrance examinations are conducted at national, state, and university levels. Once candidates have cleared the entrance examinations they can choose their preferred institute. In the table below, we have mentioned the popular examinations for admissions to the BCA.

Exam NameExam LevelConducting BodyExam Schedule

CUET UG

National-Level

National Testing Agency

CUET UG Exam Schedule

IPU CET

University-Level

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

IPU CET Exam Schedule

BCA Cut Off

The BCA cutoff score is used to determine the candidates' eligibility for admission. It is influenced by various factors such as the number of applicants, the difficulty level of the examination, and the total availability of seats. The cutoff is released annually after the exam results are declared.

BCA Syllabus/Subjects

The syllabus of the BCA degree covers both theoretical and practical subjects. It can be found on the official website or the programme brochure. The core subjects included in the curriculum are Hardware Labs, Operating Systems, Data Structures, and Visual Programming Lab.

BCA 1st Year Subjects

The BCA 1st year syllabus covers the introductory subjects, Some of the subjects are Foundational Mathematics, C Programming Lab, Basic Discrete Mathematics and Visual Programming Lab. In the table below we have discussed the BCA first year syllabus.

Semester 1
Semester 2
Hardware Lab (CIA Only)Case Tools Lab (CIA Only)
Creative EnglishCommunicative English
Foundational MathematicsBasic Discrete Mathematics
Statistics I For BCAOperating Systems
Digital Computer FundamentalsData Structures
Introduction To Programming Using CData Structures Lab
C Programming LabVisual Programming Lab
PC Software Lab-

BCA 2nd Year Subjects

The subjects included in the second year of the BCA degree are more advanced and introduce the students to advanced concepts. The subjects included in the course curriculum are Software Engineering, Database Management Systems, Programming in Java, and Object-Oriented Programming Using C++.

Semester 3
Semester 4
Interpersonal CommunicationProfessional English
Introductory AlgebraFinancial Management
Financial AccountingComputer Networks
Software EngineeringProgramming In Java
Database Management SystemsDBMS Project Lab
Object-Oriented Programming Using C++Web Technology Lab
C++ LabLanguage Lab(CIA Only)
Oracle Lab-
Domain Lab (Cia Only)-

BCA 3rd Year Subjects

BCA's 3rd year syllabus covers various subjects, like Unix Programming, User Interface Design, Client-Server Computing, Computer Architecture, Python Programming, and Cloud Computing. In the table below we have discussed the BCA third year syllabus.

Semester 5
Semester 6
Unix ProgrammingDesign And Analysis Of Algorithms
User Interface DesignClient-Server Computing
Graphics And AnimationComputer Architecture
Python ProgrammingCloud Computing
Business IntelligenceMultimedia Applications
OOAD Using UMLIntroduction To Soft Computing
Unix LabAdvanced Database Management System
Web Designing Project-
Graphics And Animation Lab-
Python Programming Lab-
Business Intelligence Lab-

Browse List of BCA Colleges by Locations

Many colleges in India offer a BCA degree. Students are admitted to the BCA degree based on their academic performance and admission exam results. Here is a list of the BCA colleges in India's major cities.

Browse List of BCA Colleges by States

BCA graduates have a lot of career opportunities in the future. The top BCA degree institutes in each of the following states are listed below:

BCA Specialisations

BCA is a diverse degree which offers knowledge of many career paths. Candidates can choose their desired specialisation as per their interests and future goals. It will help them make a successful career. Listed below are some of the popular specialisations available in the BCA degree.

  • Computer Graphics
  • Word Processing
  • Internet Technologies
  • Database Management
  • Programming Languages
  • Personal Information Management

BCA Scope

BCA degree offers plenty of job roles to graduates in various fields. After graduation, students can also opt for higher degrees such as a Master's degree in Computer Applications or apply for an MCA and MBA programme.

  • Higher Education: Students who want to learn more about programming, software development, and IT management might pursue a Master of Computer Applications (MCA). As a possible alternative, individuals can pursue an MBA to work in management and business, generally in IT firms.
  • Jobs in IT: Database administrators, system analysts, web designers, and software developers are some of the careers available to BCA graduates. Moreover, they can begin their careers in technical writing, testing, or IT support across a range of businesses.
  • Government Jobs: Graduates of BCA programs can find job opportunities in a variety of government agencies, including banking, railroads, and defence. They are eligible to take competitive examinations such as the SSC, UPSC, or banking exams.
  • Freelancing or Entrepreneurship: As independent consultants, students can provide services in digital marketing, app development, and web development. Moreover, they can start their own IT-based company.

Careers Opportunities after BCA

Students can choose to pursue various career options once they have completed their Bachelor of Computer Applications degree programme. Choosing a career of their choice will help the candidates excel in their respective fields. We have mentioned below some of the popular career options along with average salary.

Job ProfilesJob DescriptionAverage Salary
Software Tester

Software testers are professionals who test the bugs through manual and automatic processes for any software or application. They are responsible for quality assurance during the software development cycle.


Rs. 4.8 LPA
Application Developer

Application developers are individuals who are responsible for developing and maintaining mobile applications for various platforms as well as for customers. They design, test, and release the latest updates to the end user.


Rs. 11.6 LPA
Systems AdministratorSystem administrators are responsible for the maintenance and configuration of servers and computer systems. They make sure that a company's computers are working fine.Rs. 5.2 LPA
Application Tester

Application testers are responsible for evaluating new applications, programmes and software. They perform tests that engage with the software’s functionality user experience and user interface.


Rs. 5.4 LPA

Source: AmbitionBox

Top Recruiters:

Many companies hire BCA graduates. Students can appear for the placement sessions conducted by the institutes. They can also apply through various job portals such as LinkedIn or Internshala as per the availability of their desired job role.

  • IBM
  • Oracle
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Facebook
  • Accenture

Also Read: Computer Applications Certifications Courses

Salary After BCA

The salary after BCA varies depending on various factors. It may vary depending on the skills and experiences of the candidate, the location of work, and the job profile opted by the candidate. The salary may also differ for private and government sector jobs. In the table below, we have discussed the average salary of job profiles in government and private sector.

SectorsAverage Salary
PrivateRs. 3 LPA-Rs. 25 LPA
GovernmentRs. 3 LPA-Rs. 50 LPA

Source: Naukri.com

Employment Areas

The BCA graduates can join either private or government organisations and can choose from diverse career options. In this section, we will discuss some of the areas of employment where the Bachelor of Computer Applications graduates can work in their careers.

  • Information Technology
  • Healthcare Facilities
  • Academics
  • Freelancing

Top Private BCA Colleges in India with Fees

In India, many private medical colleges offer BCA degrees. Private colleges are significantly more expensive than public universities. Some of the top private BCA colleges and also BCA fees are discussed below:

Top Government BCA Colleges in India with Fees

Attending a government-run college is less expensive than attending a private BCA college. These BCA colleges are well-known for their high academic standards throughout India. The following are some of the best government BCA colleges and also BCA fees:

BCA course is one of the most popular courses for students who want to make their career in areas related to computer science. BCA course provides students with the technical expertise to work in the IT industry. With the rapid growth of the IT industry, there is a great demand for IT professionals throughout the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What types of jobs are available for BCA graduates?

Database Administrator, System Analyst, Junior Programmer, Web Designer/Web Developer, Computer System Analyst, Software Developer, Software Engineer or Programmer, Software Application Architect, etc. are just a few of the job opportunities available after completing BCA programmes.

2. What is the average salary of a BCA graduate in India?

The average salary of an BCA graduate ranges between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 Lakh per annum in India.

3. What are the requirements for the BCA programme?

The BCA programme accepts applicants who have completed their 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.

4. Which of the entrance exams are required for admission in the BCA programme?

IPU CET, SUAT, GSAT, AIMA UGAT, and KIITEE are a few of the entrance tests for BCA programmes.

5. What is the duration of the BCA programme?

The total duration of the Bachelor of Computer Applications programme is three years.

6. What is the full form of the BCA programme?

The full form of BCA is Bachelor of Computer Applications.

Articles

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
University College London, London
 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YL
University of Bristol, Bristol
 Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
 University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD

Questions related to B.C.A.

Have a question related to B.C.A. ?

Yes, there are many free online courses and certifications available for BCA students.

1. Coursera:

It has a large number of courses in the field of computer science, data science, programming languages, and many more.

You get certificates once you have completed any course.

2. edX:

Another platform with many free courses: programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and machine learning, among others.
Diplomas are available upon course completion.
3. Udemy:

Even though it offers both free and paid content, most free ones deal with programming, data science, and other relevant content.
Sometimes, for free courses, certificates are paid.
4. Google Developers:

Provides free online courses and certifications on various Google technologies, including machine learning, cloud computing, and web development.

5. YouTube:

YouTube also provides very valuable free tutorials or lectures on a wide range of topics like programming, data science, or web development.
More Tips:
Find Relevant Courses: Try to learn from relevant courses to your BCA curriculum or career goals.
Practice Regularly: Solve problems and practice coding for reiterative learning. Make a Portfolio: Prepare projects that demonstrate your skills and knowledge.
Network with Others: Connect with other learners and professionals online in forums and communities.   Using these free online options will help you to enhance your education in BCA, furthering skills for a possible good career.

https://www.careers360.com/courses-certifications/articles/list-of-certification-courses-along-with-bca

Hi

Here are some free courses for BCA :

1. Coursera : Google IT Support , CS50's Introduction to Computer Science .

2. edX : Introduction to Programming (Python) , CS50.

3. Udemy : Java Programming for Beginners , HTML/CSS/JS for Web Developers .

4. LinkedIn Learning : Java Essentials , Database Fundamentals .

5. Udacity : Intro to Programming (Free) .

6. FreeCodeCamp : Full Stack Developer Certification .

7. NPTEL : Computer Science Engineering courses .

8. Skill share : Data Structures and Algorithms basics .

These programming like web development , databases and algorithms , relevant to BCA .

For more details link mentions below :

https://www.careers360.com/courses-certifications/articles/list-of-certification-courses-along-with-bca

Thank you

No, giriraj college of nizamabad does not offer BCA. Instead the campus have course B.com in computer applications. There are various other courses available in the college. The college offers more than 20 courses and about 9 pg courses in different streams.

The admission to college is merit based ,which is determined by your performance in class 12th.

For more information about college,you can visit career 360 website

https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.careers360.com%2Fcolleges%2Fgirraj-government-college-nizamabad&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4

Hello Nayana

You haven't mentioned the name of college where you want to study BCA program .

If you will inform here the name of college then yoh woll get your query solved.

BCA is Bachelor of computer application.  Eligibility to get BCA seat is to have passed class xii with science stream with minimum 50% marks .

From your profile it is known that you belong to karnataka .

BCA colleges in karnataka

Maharani Annamalai college

Presidency college

Bengaluru university

Seshadripuram college



Hello aspirant,

UG and PG courses in a variety of subjects are available at the Jharkhand University of Technology in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) program at Jharkhand University of Technology is a three-year undergraduate program.

For complete information, you can visit our site through following link:

https://www.careers360.com/university/jharkhand-university-of-technology-ranchi/bca-course

Thank you

Hope it helps you

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