BCA: Course Details, Admission, Eligibility, Fees

Bachelor of Computer Application is a three-year-long undergraduate programme, which deals with computer science and its application concepts. It prepares students to study data structures, database systems and computer networks. The course consists of six semesters and has a large scope for undergraduates as most industries require computer applications and experts for a smooth run of their business.

About BCA

The full form of BCA is Bachelor of Computer Application. Its course subjects give good knowledge in critical areas of computer science and Networking. The Information Technology sector has a substantial economic impact and hence provide ample job opportunities. BCA is an undergraduate course that is comparatively similar to the B.Tech course in all the perspectives but only differs in the duration & fees.

Wikipedia explains BCA as "The BCA is a common degree for CS/IT students at Indian universities, and is an alternative to the engineering counterpart, the B.E/B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering/IT, which requires four years of study. It is a technical degree that prepares students for a career in computer applications and software development; this being a professional course, even non-math students can also opt for this course, many universities offer this course in India. This is a good course for the non-math student, so they also can make their career in Information technology."

Table of Contents

• BCA Eligibility Criteria
• BCA Admission Process
• Popular BCA Entrance Exams
• Top BCA Colleges
• Fee Structure for BCA
• Syllabus and Subjects for BCA
• What is BCA All About?
• Scope for Higher Education
• Salary of a BCA Graduate
• Skills To Excel

Eligibility Criteria for BCA

For admission in the BCA course, the eligibility criteria depend on the college that students are interested in applying for. Many factors would influence the eligibility, such as infrastructure, number of students applying for the course, location of the college etc. Students must pass their 10+2 from a recognized board with an aggregate of 50% minimum marks. Additionally, various colleges and institutes may have their examinations, which the students would have to clear with good scores to take admission. The minimum age to apply for the course is 17 years old.

How To Get Admission for BCA?

Students interested in pursuing higher education in BCA's field must ensure that they know about all the BCA course details and are aware of the guidelines to get admission to the college of their choice. Students should clear the entrance exam conducted by the institution and they should have scored above mentioned cut-off score for their 10+2 with the required subjects. After the exams, it is a possibility that the students are invited for a face to face interview from the institution. Some universities may choose not to have an entrance exam and decide the outcome of students purely weighing up the 10+2 scores and JEE/AIEEE Scores.

How to Apply?

To register in the BCA course, students should make sure that they know about the BCA Course and are aware of BCA eligibility.

To register for the entrance exams, aspirants need to register exam. For the registration of the exams, aspirants will have to visit the university's official website and start the application process by filling out the online form. The students must visit the respective college and fill out the application form by attaching the required documents in person.

Selection Process

It is challenging to assume every college's selection process, but most colleges have a cut off based on the entrance exams plus the final marks students obtain in their 10+2. If students get a higher score in these examinations, they can get a confirmation of admission.

Popular Entrance Exams for BCA

For getting admission in the BCA course, students, after completing their 10+2 from a recognized board, have to give entrance exams. These entrance exams exist to evaluate the student's understanding of the subject and ensure that they will understand the concerts that will be taught to them.

Some popular exams conducted by the universities are:

• IPU CET
• SET
• JNUEE

A Quick Glance at the BCA Exams

Students need to prepare themselves for entrance exams beforehand to ensure that their chances of getting admission to a college of their choice happen. Knowing the format of entrance exams helps students to learn to manage time and ensure that they have the time to work on subjects or streams, which are their weakness. Each college has its format of the exams, and so students should take out the time to go through last year's exam papers to make sure that they are prepared for the final exam.

• Students must ensure that they have completed their 10+2 education before appearing for the exams.
• Students can give these exams online or offline, and those students who meet the cut off criteria will be eligible to study in the institutes.

Top BCA Colleges in India

Below is the list of the ten best Colleges that provide BCA degree in the country:

Top BCA Colleges in India

Sl.No	College Name
1	Symbiosis Institute of Computer Science and Research Pune
2	Christ University Bangalore
3	Loyola College Chennai
4	Kristu Jayanti College Bangalore
5	Women’s Christian College Chennai
6	Stella Maris College Chennai
7	Presidency College Bangalore
8	DAV College Punjab
9	Madras Christian College Chennai

Fee Structure for BCA

BCA Fee depends on the college students intend on applying for. Factors such as the demand for the college course, faculty who teach in the college, the infrastructure provided by the college, the location of the college etc., can influence the fee structure of the college. The BCA course fee in India ranges between INR 15,000 to 2 LPA.

Syllabus and Subjects for BCA

BCA is a three-year-long course consisting of six semesters. Each semester students can choose electives to make their course diverse, as well as core subjects. Core subjects are taught as colleges believe that these courses are essential for student's learning.

The primary aim of electives is to make the learning more flexible and allow the students to study the subject in depth.

Listed below are some of the generic syllabus which all universities will cover during the course:

• Computer Fundamentals
• C-Programming
• System Analysis & Design
• In-depth Working of Computer Sub-system
• Organizational Behaviour

Read More about BCA Syllabus and Subject

Why Choose BCA?

To understand the answer to the question, "Why choose BCA?" we should make it simpler by breaking it down to the following three short questions:

What is BCA All About?

Bachelor of Computer Application or B.C.A. is a three years undergraduate course to inculcate knowledge about computer skills. It provides a wide knowledge of the programming languages like C, C++, Oracle, Python, Java, Web designing, Business intelligence, and database management systems. There are a lot of job opportunities for fresh graduates in the field of computer management, database management, administration and more.

What Does a BCA Graduate Do?

The speciality of the BCA course is that it provides computer knowledge in theory and practicals. It enables students to work as a system engineer, system tester, junior programmer, system administrator, web developer, software developer, etc. 

They have a variety of shared responsibilities and functions in their role; some of them are:

Research and Development: BCA graduates are responsible for representing new areas of computer softwares and product development. Their role entails them to study and research the missing parts in computer software development.

Computer System Management: Graduates of this course are the most aware of computer softwares and the different uses of these softwares. Therefore, a part of their job is to maintain safe, economical and effective use of the equipment available.

Reasons Why BCA Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

BCA is an important and essential degree for the job market today as it provides students with all the essential skills to learn about computer science and computer applications. The skills can help students get internships and work placements as students and, therefore, help them work on their CVs to build a successful career.

Demand: The role has a lot of demand in the Computer, AI and innovation industries. Therefore, student's don't need to worry about gaining work experience after graduation. There are also plenty of opportunities in the research field, should students be interested in pursuing that.

Read More About BCA Jobs

Scope For Higher Education

Internationally as well, students can pursue BCA for a prospectus career option. Many colleges around the world provide students with the opportunity to study this course. Additionally, if students are interested, they can decide to pursue a Master's in Computer application abroad. It can help them look for a job in the country they choose to study. Some of the master's course students can pursue include:

• MCA
• MBA

Salary of a BCA Graduate

According to Payscale, a BCA graduate's average salary is INR 3.7 LPA in India. This value can change depending on the city, years of experience, designation etc. There are a lof job opportunities for students in the field, as well as the option to study further. So if students gain more experience or study more, by doing certificate courses and masters programme, they can upscale themselves.

Read More about BCA Salary

Career Options After BCA Graduation

Job opportunities are available in plenty for BCA graduates in both the public and private sectors. The job roles offered will be of the highest level of employment owing to their knowledge and research-based experience that makes them qualified to handle job roles of higher magnitude and multiple domains. The most common roles the graduates work as are:

• Project manager
• Computer Application Specialist
• Data Analyst
• Information System Managers
• Database Administrators
• Computer System Analysts
• Chief Information Officers

Skills That Make You The BCA Graduate

BCA graduates need to have soft and hard skills that will help them succeed in their professional lives. Some of these skills include:

• Quantitative Analysis Skills
• Computer Skills
• Analytical Skills
• The Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Interpersonal Skills