BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)

Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

In this article, we will have an in-depth analysis of the course named BCA. BCA stands for Bachelor of Computer Applications. We will check out basic course details, course duration, important subjects present, eligibility criteria, career scope, salary specs and job opportunities after graduation, etc.

This article will be of much use to students who have passed the 12th standard.

BCA course is suitable for students who are interested in Computer Science and programming. It is a good alternative to the traditional Computer Science Engineering program. Come, let us check out the basic course details.

Here is a quick overview of the BCA program –

BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications): Basic details

BCA is a 3 years long Undergraduate Level Bachelor’s Degree program. The course structure is quite similar to the traditional B.Sc. program. The 3 years duration is divided into 6 semesters, each lasting a period of 6 months. During each semester, students have to face different sets of written exams as well as practical and lab sessions.

Let us take a closer look at the course content now. BCA stands for Bachelor of Computer Applications. As the name suggests, this program deals with computer applications and its allied domains.

Let us talk about the format of the course first. It is a Bachelor’s Degree course. Let us check out the academic level of this program. BCA course belongs to UG academic level. UG stands for undergraduate level.

In short, it is an undergraduate level Bachelor’s Degree course. Let us check out the course content now. As I mentioned before, this program deals with computer applications and its allied areas. Thus, technically it is a computer education program.

Programming forms an integral part of computer science. This is the main reason why the BCA program focuses extensively on programming languages. This course covers programming languages such as C and C++.

A computer is made up of relevant hardware, OS, and software. Naturally, the BCA program covers these topics too! The program will help students identify different parts of a computer. Apart from that, it will also train students in areas such as – the functions of each piece of hardware, assembling them, and maintaining them.

We are living in the Digital Age now. At present, internet technology is creating waves in sectors such as – E-Commerce, banking, Governance, communication, entertainment, etc. BCA program does focus on internet technology.

As part of Internet technology education, the BCA program primarily deals with topics such as – web designing, servers, and hosting, web development, relevant software, networks, app development, etc. BCA program also contains elements of Information Technology. Here are some of the IT subjects covered by this program – basics of IT, database management, data sets, etc.

In simple terms, the BCA program has lot to do with Computer Science and programming. Students are given knowledge on topics like Programming languages, hardware, and software, computer networks, World Wide Web, Database Management, Logic, Multimedia, etc.

Colleges

BCA colleges in India can be broadly classified into two types – Government colleges and private colleges. As you can see, the classification of BCA colleges has been carried out on the basis of the entity that manages the college. Government colleges are owned by relevant branches of the State Government or Central Government.

Private colleges are owned by private charitable and/or educational trusts.

Govt BCA colleges are known to charge relatively lower tuition fees. These colleges provide subsidized education to their students. On the other hand, private BCA colleges are known to charge relatively higher tuition fees. Private BCA colleges are also known as self-financing colleges. Let us check out the list of colleges now.

Here’s the list of popular BCA colleges in India –

• Gujarat University.
• DU.
• Karnataka University.
• IGNOU.
• Veer Narmad South Gujarat University.
• RK University.
• Kannur University.
• HNGU.
• Parul University.
• Nirma University.
• Navrachna University.
• Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
• VIT University.
• Symbiosis International.
• Christ University.
• Banasthali University.
• Uka Tarsadia University.
• Lokmanya College.
• REVA University.

Admission process

The admission process may vary from one institute to another. Good BCA colleges rely on merit-based admission for seat allocation. Under a merit-based admission process, seats are distributed among deserving candidates on the basis of their performance in the relevant entrance exams.

Such entrance exams are conducted at State, College, and National levels. If you want to secure admission into a good college, you must crack the relevant entrance exam and score well in it.

Some colleges are also known to carry out direct and donation-based admission processes. Under the direct admission process, vacant seats are distributed among candidates on the basis of a first come, first served rule. When it comes to donation-based admission, management quota seats are distributed among eligible candidates.

Fees

Tuition fees depend upon the following factors – the type of college (Government or self-financing), scholarship status of the student, rating of the college, etc. On average, tuition fees could be anywhere between 50-100K INR per year.

To get a better idea about the course structure, let us take a look at some of the important subjects present in the program-

BCA Syllabus

Here are some of the core subjects present in the BCA curriculum –

• Programming in C Language (Basic and Advanced).
• Communication Skills.
• Networking.
• World Wide Web.
• Data Structure.
• Advanced C Language Programming.
• Database Management.
• Mathematics.
• Software Engineering.
• Object Oriented Programming using C++.
• Visual Basic.
• Programming using PHP.
• JAVA.
• Oracle.
• Operating Systems.
• Web Scripting and Development.
• Internet Security and Cyber Laws.
• Multimedia.
• RDBMS.

Those were some important subjects that one will come across in the BCA program. Apart from theoretical classes, computer lab practical sessions, projects and Industry training also forms an integral part of the course.

Eligibility Criteria

10+2 students with English subjects, who have passed the board examination from a recognized board, are eligible to pursue this course. Minimum marks criteria may exist, in the case of many Institutes. It may vary between 40-50% marks. Also, in the case of some Institutes, students must also have appeared for the state-level entrance examination to be considered eligible to apply for the course.

Eligibility criteria may vary slightly from one college to another. For example, some colleges need applicants to have studied English and mathematics subjects in 12th standard. While some other colleges need applicants to have simply passed the 12th standard. Minimum aggregate marks criteria too may vary from one college to another.

Courses to do after completing BCA

After completing BCA, the traditional PG course available in front of Graduates is- MCA (Master of Computer Application). This is a Master’s Level course. This course is meant for those, who want to gain advanced technical knowledge about topics that they’ve studied in the BCA course.

After MCA, one may take up Government Job, Private Sector Job, or Teaching Job! PhD program is available after completing the MCA course. After Ph.D., one may go for a career in the R&D sector associated with this field!

If one is interested in the field of Management, one may go for courses such as MBA, Diploma in Management, Certificate Management courses, etc.

Career scope, salary, and Job Opportunities

For graduates, job opportunities exist in Government as well as the Private sector. Also, self-employment options are available. After BCA., which is an Undergraduate course, graduates may take up Government jobs that require a Graduation Degree (for example- Armed Forces, Nationalized Banks, PSUs, etc).

When it comes to the Private sector, Software MNCs are the prime recruiters. Web hosting, the IT sector, and Electronics Industry are some other sectors that recruit BCA. graduates. Graduates may take up the following posts in the above-mentioned sectors-

• Software Engineer.
• Software Tester.
• Database Management professional.
• Project Manager.
• Information Security professional.
• Information Management professional.
• System Administrator.
• System Security Officer.
• Software Architect.
• Associate Software Engineer.
• Project Manager.

Graduates may also become self-employed, by becoming freelance or independent software developers, software security experts, consultants, etc. One may also go for advanced courses such as MCA. and PhD and eventually take up teaching job or even venture into Research and Development sector associated with this field!

Vishnu Nambiar

I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.

I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.