Master of Computer Application is a program that focuses on the application of computer science and its fields to improve and provide solutions to everyday problems within the software field. With MCA ,there are good opportunities for jobs in software industries and even in teaching. With distance learning ,you can not only work while studying but it will also give an advantage of work experience once your degree is completed. Once your Degree is completed ,you can find work as :

* Software Programmer
*Software Engineer
*Software Developer
* Systems Analyst
*Software Application Architect
*Software Consultant

The top universities for distance education in MCA are given below:

1. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) : This university is one of the best in distance education . For MCA, the duration of the course is three years. The course fee is around ₹65000. The fee per semester is ₹10800.To be eligible ,you must have a  bachelor’s degree of minimum 3(three) year duration from a recognized University” AND “Mathematics as one of the subject at 10+2 level or graduation level; else the student is required to pursue and pass the BCS- 012 course concurrently with IGNOU MCA.If you had studied Maths at +2 or graduation level, then you need not register for BCS-012.

2. Karnataka state open University :   The course duration is for 3 years with 6 semesters. If you have completed your graduation,then you are eligible to apply for it or
Admission is open to those candidates who have successfully completed their Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University have completed their 6 moths IT/CS Course from a recognized Institute.

Lateral Entry Scheme:
Admission to Third Semester:
Admission is open to those candidates who have successfully completed their Graduation in any discipline from a recognized along with 1 year PGDCA/PGDIT/GNIIT or its equivalent.
Admission to Fiith Semester:
Admission is open to those candidates who have successfully completed their Graduation in any discipline from a recognized along with  MSC(IT/CS) From A recognized University.

Lateral Exit Scheme of MCA:
After successful completion of first year of MCA, the candidate shall be eligible to obtain a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA).
After successful completion of first four semester of MCA, the candidate shall be eligible to obtain an Advanced Diploma in Computer Applications (ADCA).
After successful completion of all six semesters of MCA, the candidate shall be eligible to obtain a degree of Master in Computer Applications (MCA).
Note: The student who will opt for lateral exit will not be able to continue this programme.

3. Annamalai University:
The degree is of three years with 6 semesters. The eligibility for the course is
a)Three year Bachelor’s Degree after completion of Plus 2 (or)
b)Three year Bachelor’s Degree after completion of three year Diploma  of             any recognised University.
Candidates seeking admission to I year of MCA Programme and who have not studied Mathematics at +2 or at Diploma level should undergo a bridge programme for a week.

4. University of Mumbai :
The duration is for 3 years with six semesters. There is an Entrance exam for the course . For eligibility, you must have a Bachelor’s degree (Graduation) in any faculty of a recognized university with minimum 45% marks (minimum 40% marks) with Mathematics as a subject at XII or higher level.

5. Sikkim Manipal University also offers a distance education degree in MCA . The fee is ₹ 18500 per semester. The duration is of three years with 6 semesters. Eligibility for the degree is  bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised University with Mathematics/Statistics as one of the subjects at 10+2 level. The candidates will have to appear in the entrance examination which will be conducted by SMIT.

6. University of Madras offers 3 years degree in MCA with 6 semesters. Eligibility is 10+2 with maths  and degree from any stream.

Apart,from this , Madurai kamraj university, ICFAI,etc offer distance education in MCA but the important thing is to check whether it is recognised by both UGC and DEB.