BCT & CA Course, Admissions, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career
BCT and CA full form is a Bachelor of Catering Technology and Culinary Arts. It is a three-year undergraduate course for students interested in a career in culinary arts. The course covers the study of preparing foods, the presentation of food, and serving etiquette. Students who have completed their 10+2 in any stream from a recognised institute in India is eligible for the BCT and CA courses.
The course is taught in several hotel management colleges in India. Those interested in this field can also pursue a catering course to understand the other aspects of the hospitality sector. Some of the important entrance examinations required to be admitted to the course include IHM CET, NCHMCT JEE, and MAH HM CET.
What is BCT & CA Full Form?
The full form of the BCT and CA course is Bachelor of Catering Technology and Culinary Arts. It is an undergraduate research degree in the field of catering and culinary arts. Students should have successfully completed their 10+2 from a recognised institute in India to be eligible for the course.
BCT & CA Course Details
| Particulars | Values |
|---|---|
Degree Name | BCT & CA |
Degree Type | Undergraduate |
Degree Duration | 3 Years |
Entrance Exams | IHM CET, NCHMCT JEE and MAH HM CET. |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 from a recognised board |
Admission process | Entrance/ Merit |
Cutoff | - |
Fees for the entire duration | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 2 lakh |
Average Salary | Rs. 2 lakh p.a to Rs 5 lakh p.a. |
Job profiles | Executive Chef, Assistant Chef, Sous Chef, Catering Manager |
Top recruiters | The Taj Group of Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, ITC Group of Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Inc. |
BCT & CA Course Duration
BCT and CA course duration consists of three academic years, consisting of six semesters. To know the course details, candidates should check the official website of the institute or the programme brochure.
BCT & CA Fee Structure
The fee structure of the BCT & CA course is influenced by various factors such as the ownership and the type of the institute. Generally, the tuition fee does not include the application fee, security deposit or costs associated with accommodation. Candidates should contact the institute or check the admission procedure on the official website of the institute.
Why Choose BCT & CA Course?
Studying a BCT & CA course has a lot of benefits for the students and allows them to work in diverse industries such as hotels, restaurants, catering, bars, and hospitality industry. Candidates can also become entrepreneurs and establish their own culinary business. Some of the popular job profiles are Executive Chef, Pastry Chef, Bartender, and Event Planner.
For those interested in studying further, candidates can also opt for higher education in degrees such as MBA, or Ph.D in similar disciplines. Some of the top recruiters hiring graduates are Taj, Hyatt, Oberoi, Ramada, and Renaissance.
BCT & CA Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in applying for the BCT & CA course should fulfil the eligibility requirements of the course. They can find these details either on the website of the provider or the programme brochure. In the table below, we have mentioned the BCT & CA eligibility details.
| Eligibility Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | 10+2 in any stream (Humanities, Commerce or Science) from a recognised institute in India |
| Minimum aggregate score | 50 per cent aggregate score (5-10 per cent relaxation for candidates belonging to the reserved categories) |
| Entrance Examination | NCHMCT JEE, IHM CET, and MAH HM CET are the popular entrance examinations |
BCT & CA Admission Procedure
The admission process for BCT & CA courses varies depending on the institute. Apart from the above-mentioned entrance examinations, many institutes also provide admissions based on merit scores. Listed below is the admission procedure for BCT & CA courses generally followed by the institutes.
- An aspiring student first, needs to go through the detailed eligibility requirements of the colleges/universities he/she wants to apply for.
- If you meet the criteria, some colleges might require an entrance exam score to take the process of admission forward.
- For the same, you are required to register for entrance exams. Some of the most important entrance exams for the course are IHM CET, MAH HM CET, and NCHMCT JEE.
- On clearing the examination, you can take admission to the college/university according to your choice.
Related: Hospitality Certification Courses
Top Entrance Exams for BCT & CA
Many colleges accept the scores of entrance examinations to provide admissions. Candidates should check the entrance examinations required by the colleges on the official website of the institute. In the table below, we have mentioned the popular entrance examinations required for the BCT & CA course.
| Exam Name | Exam Level | Conducting Body | Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Aurangabad Entrance Test | University-level | Institute of Hotel Management Aurangabad | - |
| MAH HM CET | State-Level | State Common Entrance Test Cell - Maharashtra State | |
| NCHMCT JEE | National-Level | National Testing Agency | NCHMCT JEE Exam Schedule |
Cutoff of Top Colleges
The BCT & CA cut-off is a set of factors used to determine an individual's merit or entrance exam score. Admission to the colleges is provided to those who score below the cut-off percentage, rank, or marks. The cutoff for each college's Bachelor of Catering Technology and Culinary Arts course depends on the qualifying examination and the number of applications appearing for the entrance examinations conducted by certain institutions and common entrance tests.
BCT & CA Syllabus
BCT & CA is an undergraduate course that covers various subjects to teach its students the art of food preparation and serving. The syllabus of the UG course is of much importance for the students. Like every other course, the syllabus differs from college/university to college/university. Nevertheless, a few common subjects are taught everywhere. For your reference, we have here compiled a list of common subjects being covered in the three-year programme.
Introduction of Basic Food Production | Accommodation Operations |
Food & Beverage Service-I | Food & Beverage Service-II |
Nutrition and dietetics | Professionalism in Hotel Industry |
Ethnic Indian Gastronomy | Hygiene, Safe Food Practices |
Food Production and Culinary Arts | HACCP & Safety |
Culinary French | Meat Fabrication and Butchery |
Food Science | Food and beverage Matching |
What After BCT & CA Course?
Post-completion of BCT & CA course candidates can opt for further studies in master's level degrees such as MHMCT, MBA in Hotel Management, Masters in Catering Technology and Culinary Arts. A BCT & CA holder can get work opportunities in various sectors such as Hotels, Resorts, Catering Firms, Cafeterias and Restaurants.
Career options after BCT & CA
After finishing a course like BCT & CA, the candidate might have to first find an internship to gain some experience. He/she might also have to work as an assistant to a senior chef to learn the work. There is not a wide variety of job opportunities available for a BCT & CA graduate.
However, they are provided with on-the-job training and are expected to work hard throughout. A BCT & CA graduate can get opportunities as Executive Chef, Assistant Chef, Sous Chef, Catering Manager, Food Executive and a few more job roles.
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Chef | An executive chef is responsible for ensuring the quality of the food prepared, following the safety measures, and coordinating the activities of the kitchen. He/She is also responsible for training the new joiners. | Rs. 11.5 Lakhs |
| Assistant Chef | As an Assistant Chef, one is required to assist a Senior Chef. They are responsible for preparing food, testing recipes, providing ingredients, and helping in the cleanliness and organisation of the kitchen. | Rs. 3.2 Lakhs |
| Catering Manager | A Catering Manager is responsible for supervising the activities of the catering department. They are required to communicate with the clients, ensure the best food serving, take measures to improve customer satisfaction and work on food menus. | Rs. 7.1 Lakhs |
Top Recruiters
- The Taj Group of Hotels
- Hyatt Hotels
- The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
- ITC Group of Hotels
- Hilton Worldwide
- Marriott International, Inc.
Expected Salary after BCT and CA
The average salary of a BCT and CA graduate depends on various factors such as the skills and experience of the graduate, work location, and the based on the private and government sector. In the table below, we have discussed the average salary for the private sector.
| Sectors | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Private | Rs. 3 LPA-Rs. 50 LPA |
Salary Source: Naukri.com
To conclude, the BCT and CA course is a promising course for someone interested in working in the culinary industry and becoming a chef. The average salary of an Executive Chef in India is Rs. 11.5 LPA, depending on the skills and experience of the institute.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
BCT CA is an undergraduate course of 3 years. The course teaches students various subjects like Accommodation Operations, Food & Beverage Service, and Professionalism in hotel Industry.
To secure admission into one of the colleges, it is necessary to fulfil the eligibility criteria. The admission takes place on the basis of both merit and entrance examination.
For those looking forward to getting admission to BCT CA, it is essential to have a 10+2 in any relevant field from a recognised board.
University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism, Chandigarh |
Maharashtra State Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pune |
All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society's College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Pune |
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi |
The average salary after BCT CA differs for different candidates. It mainly depends on the skills and experience that a candidate possesses. It usually ranged from Rs. 2 lakh per annum to Rs. 5 lakh per annum.
A student who has pursued the UG degree programme BCT CA can opt for further studies in the same field. He/she can opt for pursuing his/her Master’s or PhD. Apart from that, there are a number of work opportunities available for the aspirants as well. These individuals can start working as Assistant Chefs, Executive Chefs or Catering Managers.
Various reputed brands are always on the lookout for hiring talented BCT CA undergraduate students. Some of the top recruiters of these candidates are The Taj Group of Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, ITC Group of Hotels, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Inc.
A number of job profiles are available for the students of BCT CA. Some of the profiles for which an undergraduate can work include Executive Chef, Assistant Chef, Food Executive, Sous Chef and Catering Manager.
A few entrance exams for pursuing BCT CA are IHM CET, NCHMCT JEE and MAH HM CET.
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