BCA MCA Integrated Course, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Scope & Career Opportunities

BCA MCA Integrated Course, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Scope & Career Opportunities

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Nov 07, 2024 03:57 PM IST | #BCA MCA

BCA MCA or Bachelor of Computer Application Master of Computer Application is a five-year integrated or dual degree course available at the undergraduate level. The course is purposefully created for individuals interested in the study of advanced computer application but want a shorter course duration.It combines two progressive level degree programmes BCA and MCA. BCA stands for Bachelor of Computer Applications. It is an undergraduate degree programme. While MCA stands for Master of Computer Applications. It is a postgraduate level specialised degree programme.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is BCA MCA full form?
  2. BCA MCA Fee Structure
  3. BCA MCA Eligibility Criteria
  4. Skills Required for BCA MCA
  5. BCA MCA Entrance Examinations
  6. BCA MCA Syllabus
  7. Career Opportunities After BCA MCA
  8. Expected Salary After BCA MCA

What is BCA MCA full form?

BCA MCA stands for Bachelor of Computer Applications - Master of Computer Applications. It is an integrated dual degree specialised programme. It focused on providing in-depth knowledge and training to individuals enrolled in the programme to design, develop, install and function on various computer applications. It helps the student gain mastery over skills that are required in the IT industry.

BCA MCA Highlights

ParticularsDetails
Name of the CourseBachelor of Computer Application + Master of Computer Application
Course LevelUndergraduate
Course TypeIntegrated/Dual Degree
Course Duration5 years
Internship2 summer internships
Minimum Eligibility CriteriaCandidates need to get at least 50 per cent marks in 10+2 in any relevant stream with English as the mandatory subject
Admission procedure

BCA MCA Admission can be merit-based or based on the score of the entrance exam. Some universities/colleges also conduct entrance exams to admit candidates to the course

Top CollegesGuru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi Degree College, Sharda University, Amity Institute of Information Technology, Guru Nanak Dev University, ICFAI University
Top RecruitersTech Mahindra, Infosys, Accenture, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, TCS, BirlaSoft, HP
Similar SpecificationsBCA, MCA, B.Tech CS (Computer Science), B.Tech IT, BE (Computer Science)

BCA MCA Fee Structure

The average fee charged for the BCA MCA programme is usually Rs. 80, 000 per annum. However, the fee structure can vary for different colleges/universities. The fee amount only covers the tuition. Any additional charges for transportation, hostel, exam fee. are charged separately by the institute.

Moreover, factors such as institute type (private, charitable, funded), scholarship status, category, and more influence the course fee.

Why choose BCA MCA

Besides getting both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees with a single course of a lesser duration, there are various other benefits of the degree. Let's get to know them here.

Specialised knowledge: In addition, the coursework imparts specialised knowledge in the upcoming technologies like IoT, Artificial Intelligence for research, innovation, and development of products to solve the real-world problems.

Practical Learning: BCA MCA course focuses on practical learning assessments through individual and team project works. For instance, students can learn to write a program to collect customer enquiries and feedback. These assessments equip the students to face the challenges of the IT industry efficiently. Thus, increasing their scope for employment.

BCA MCA Eligibility Criteria

The basic eligibility criteria for the BCA MCA course are –

10+2 Stream

Any stream with one of the subjects as Computer Science, Maths, IP, or Computer Application in 10+2
Age LimitDifferent institutes have different age criteria. The minimum age is 17 years. However, there is no upper age limit for the course
Cut-Off MarksOnly candidates who have passed 10+2 exams with minimum 50% marks can apply. However, cut-off marks can differ for different institutes
  • Only candidates who cleared the 10+2 exams with minimum 50 per cent marks in any relevant discipline can apply for the BCA MCA course.
  • Candidates must have studied English with Statistics, Computer Science, IP, Mathematics, or Computer Application as one of the subjects in 10+2.
  • Candidates appearing for 10+2 examinations at the time of the admission are not eligible to apply.
  • No prescribed upper age limit. However, the minimum age to apply for the course is 17 years for both reserved and unreserved categories

Skills Required for BCA MCA

The core curriculum of the BCA MCA course focuses on the fundamental concepts of computer application. A sound knowledge of the English language is also a prerequisite. To perform well in the BCA MCA course, candidates must also have the following traits and skills –

IT Skills

Computer Skills

Programming Language

Analytical Skills

Logical Thinking

Coding

Decision Making Skills

Problem Solving Skills

BCA MCA Admission Process

The common BCA MCA admission process is as follows –

  • Stage I – Eligible candidates can fill an application form online and pay the application fee to apply for the course.

  • Stage II – For entrance-based admissions, candidates need to sit for the competitive exam. Based on the qualifying marks and availability of the seats, students are allocated seats in a college.

  • Stage III – After document verification and admission fee payment in the allotted college, the candidate is admitted to the BCA MCA course.

In some cases, colleges may follow the entrance exam with a personal interview. Admission is finalised based on your overall performance in the entrance exam, 10+2 marks, and the interview.

BCA MCA Entrance Examinations

Most institutes follow a merit-based admission

procedure for the BCA MCA integrated course. However, some institutes conduct entrance exams to admit students to the BCA MCA course. Interested candidates can also seek direct or donation-based admission to the course in select private universities/colleges. We have provided below details of major BCA MCA entrance examinations.

Exam

Full Form

Conducting Body

Application

CUET UG

Common University Entrance Test (PG)

National Testing Agency (NTA)

CUET UG Application Form

LPUNEST Exam

Lovely Professional University National Entrance and Scholarship Test

Lovely Professional University

LPUNEST Application Form

IPU CET

Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

IPU CET Application Form

BCA MCA Cut-Off

A cut off is the minimum limit of marks, scores or rank of candidates in the entrance examination or previously passing examination. Those who score equivalent or more than the cut-off limit are eligible for getting admission in the respective college.

Popular Engineering Colleges in India

We have provided below a list of popular engineering colleges in India. The academic curriculum, fee structure and facilities available in each college may vary depending on the management.

Top BCA MCA Colleges by Location

There are numerous BCA MCA colleges at various locations. We have listed below top

BCA MCA Syllabus

BCA MCA syllabus can differ from one institute to another since it is a specialised course. Nonetheless, most colleges/universities follow a similar core curriculum with a primary focus on outcome-based and interdisciplinary academic models. A major part of the curriculum includes the study of management systems, hardware technology systems, IoT, machine learning and more.

Moreover, hands-on learning is a prominent aspect of the BCA MCA program, often achieved via summer internship programs, practical assessments, beyond the syllabus research, and team-based development projects. Once students successfully clear the first and second years of the course, they must complete a summer internship programme.

The core courses included in the core curriculum include –

Fundamentals of Digital Computers: The primary focus of the course is on digital computers fundamentals. The course equips students with the knowledge of the number system and conversion from one base to another.

Programming Essentials in C: Introduces the basic concepts of C programming, the working and architecture of ‘C’. Usually equips students with skills to implement algorithmic solutions using a programming language.

Professional Communication: As the name suggests, this course covers the basics of technical and business communication, both written and verbal. Students also learn presentation skills and strategies for effective communication of ideas.

Web Technology: In this course, students learn the essential skills and knowledge to build and evaluate websites. Includes a range of topics from the fundamentals of website design, basics of HTML, basics concepts of internet browsers, etc.

Here are the common semester-wise BCA MCA subjects as prescribed in colleges/universities of India.

Semester 1Semester 2
English Language Skills I

English Language Skills II

Mathematics I

Mathematics II

Probability and Statistics

Principles of Economics

Principles of Management

Fundamentals of Finance & Accounting

Information Technology Trends

Data Structures and Algorithms

C Programming

Data Structures and Algorithms Practical

C Programming Practical

Object Oriented Programming through C ++

-

Object Oriented Programming through C ++ Practical

-

Summer Internship I

Semester 3Semester 4
Technical Report WritingSoft Skills-I
Systems Analysis and Design

Environmental Studies

Computer Organization and Architecture

Operations Research

Database Management Systems

Software Engineering

Database Management Systems Practical

Java Programming

Data Communication and Computer Networks

Java Programming Practical

Data Communication and Computer Networks Practical

Web Technologies

Operating Systems

Web Technologies Practical

Operating Systems Practical

Summer Internship II

Semester 5Semester 6
Theory of Computation

Multimedia Systems

Management Information Systems

Multimedia Systems Practical

Advance Java Programming

Mini Information Technology Project

Advanced Java Programming Practical

Digital Electronics and Micro Processors
Compiler Design

Network Security

Smartphone Computing and Applications

Network Security Practical

Smartphone Computing and Applications Practical

Python Programming

Web Applications using Dot Net Technologies

Python Programming Practical

Web Applications using Dot Net Technologies Practical

Windows Applications using Dot Net Technologies

Internet of Things

Windows Applications using Dot Net Technologies Practical-
Semester 7Semester 8
Data Warehousing and Data Mining

Object Oriented Analysis and Design with

Data Warehousing and Data Mining Practical

Unified Modelling Language

Computer Graphics

Object Oriented Analysis and Design with

Computer Graphics Practical

Unified Modelling Language Practical

Cloud ComputingSoft Skills-II
Parallel and Distributed Database Systems

Artificial Intelligence

Natural Language Processing and Machine Translation

Artificial Intelligence Practical

PHP with MySQL

Big Data Analysis

PHP with MySQL Practical

Enterprise Application development using Java

-

Enterprise Application Development using Java Practical

-

Image Processing

-

Image Processing Practical

Semester 9Semester 10
Design and Analysis of Algorithm
Soft Skills-III

Major Information Technology Project

Elective 1 (Theory)-
Elective 1 (Practical)-
Elective 2 (Theory)-
Elective 2 (Practical)-
Elective 3 (Theory)-
Elective 3 (Practical)-
Elective 4-

What after BCA MCA

After the successful completion of the BCA MCA course, students can easily find lucrative work opportunities in the IT and related industries, from computer scientist to system analyst. Or else, students interested in advanced studies can pursue a career in IT research. Either way, the course offers ample high-paying and rewarding career options to the students.

Career Opportunities After BCA MCA

Here are some of the most popular career paths open to BCA MCA degree holders –

Software Developer: As software developers, professionals oversee the development, implementation, designing, and management of the software programmes with efficient code writing.

Computer Scientist: These professionals perform extensive research and analysis to develop various software and hardware systems for efficient technical operations. In addition, they also solve practical computing problems.

Quality Analyst: For students with excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, a career as a quality analyst is highly suitable. These professionals develop, design, plan and execute test scripts for various products and services.

Software Tester: A software tester analyses software and systems created by the developers to look for risks and defects and modifies accordingly. They are primarily responsible for the quality of software development and deployment.

IT Analyst: As an IT analyst, professionals collaborate with IT developers to build IT systems for organisations. They usually collect customer feedback to improve the performance of the IT systems built by their company.

Performance Test Engineer: These professionals make sure the system performance is reliable and scalable. For this, they usually work in collaboration with a team of testers and develop test summaries and cases for management review.

Expected Salary After BCA MCA

Successful BCA MCA graduates can earn an annual salary of Rs. 4 lakhs. However, job prospects usually increase as professionals upskill and become more experienced. As the IT industry booms on a yearly basis the demand for professionals who are adept in computer application has also increased.

Based on skills, interview performance, and institute of education, candidates can secure lucrative job offers in various private and public organisations.

Job ProfilesAverage Salary Per Annum
Software DeveloperRs. 5 Lakhs
System AnalystRs. 6 Lakhs
Computer ScientistRs. 18 Lakhs
Software TesterRs. 4 Lakhs
Quality AnalystRs. 8 Lakhs

Top Private BCA MCA Colleges in India

There are numerous BCA MCA colleges in India. We have provided below a list of top private BCA MCA colleges in India. The admission process, eligibility criteria and academic curriculum of each college may vary.

Top Government BCA MCA Colleges in India

There are various academic institutes that offer admissions to BCA MCA course. The academic curriculum, fee structure and facilities provided to students in each BCA MCA college may vary. We have listed below top BCA MCA colleges in India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the duration of the BCA MCA course?

BCA MCA is a dual degree undergraduate course of five years. The entire course is divided into ten semesters over the five years and there are two semesters for each academic year.

2. What is the scope of BCA MCA in India?

There is immense scope with a BCA MCA degree. As BCA MCA graduates, students can easily find diverse job opportunities in the IT and related sectors in India and abroad. In fact, as the IT industry is increasing rapidly, the demand for BCA MCA degree holders is also increasing. You can receive lucrative offers from top companies like Amazon, Google and Infosys.

3. Which are the top companies that recruit BCA MCA degree holders?

Once students successfully finish the course, they can find ample job opportunities in diverse industries. Here are the top companies which are always on the lookout for fresh BCA MCA degree holders –

  • Deloitte

  • Google

  • Amazon

  • Infosys

  • Accenture

  • Tech Mahindra

  • Citi

  • HC Technologies

  • IBM

4. What are the career options after the course?

Upon successful completion of the BCA MCA course, students can pursue diverse career paths such as –

  • Software Developer

  • System Analyst

  • IT Analyst

  • Software Tester

  • Web Developer

  • Junior Programmer

  • System Administrator

5. What is the salary of BCA MCA graduate?

The average salary of a BCA MCA graduate is Rs. Four Lakhs per annum but the pay scales usually increase with experience and skills. Most students from the top institutes receive higher pay packages as compared to others. However, your pay package will depend on factors like interview performance, work experience, technical skills, soft skills and more.

6. Is BCA MCA a dual degree course?

Yes, BCA MCA is a dual degree or integrated degree course offered at the undergraduate level with a duration of five years. The course is a combination of two courses namely Bachelor of Computer Application and Master of Computer Application. The core curriculum covers major topics like Data Structure, Database Management System, Information Technology and more.

7. Can I get a government job after BCA MCA?

Yes, you can as many government organisations like DRDO, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, RAW, hire BCA MCA graduates for their IT departments. However, candidates need to clear the entrance exams of the respective institutions to secure the job.

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Questions related to BCA MCA

Have a question related to BCA MCA ?

Hey,

Some good career options after a BCA include:

  1. MBA: This program offers specializations in marketing, human resources, international business, finance, and management. It can be a good choice for people who are good with people and want to build leadership and management skills.
  2. MCA: This program can be a good choice for people who are interested in technology. It's considered a good choice for IT professionals because of its practical exposure and alignment with industry demands.
  3. Data Scientist : This is a highly sought-after job in a rapidly expanding field. However, to enter this profession, it's important to have additional certifications in areas like data visualization, big data, and predictive analysis.
  4. Digital Marketing : This is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country. You can get many roles as a digital marketer, such as an SEO analyst, social media expert, content manager, digital marketing manager, and UX-UI designer.
  5. Cyber Security : This course can help you learn about safeguarding digital assets.
  6. Information Security Management : This post-graduate program imparts knowledge and skillsets in managing complex technical security systems, operational costs, diverse policies, user behavior, etc.

Hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Not exactly. It is always a good thing if you have your own personal laptop or computer while doing a BCA or MCA as these are very computer oriented fields. However, if you don't have your own personal computers, then many a times colleges have their own labs in which you can go freely and do your practice and exercises there. I won't say that it would be easy, but you can do the basic tasks for getting the degree in labs.

Hope I have answered your question. All the best!

Hello

A career counsellor is a specialist who aids clients in making career plans and achieving their work objectives. Clients are taught tactics by career counsellors and coaches on how to successfully pursue new or different employment.

How to Locate a Career Coach or Counselor

  1. Inquire if friends and family may suggest a therapist or coach.
  2. Ask your college's career office if they offer career counselling or advice to graduates if you have graduated from college. Many career centres offer their former clients lifetime services or may charge less than you would for a solo advisor.
  3. Ask for a recommendation for a private counsellor by contacting the career centre of a nearby institution.

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