BCA and MCA Integrated Course, Eligibility, Admission, Colleges, Job Prospects 2024

About BCA and MCA Integrated Program

BCA+MCA full form is Bachelor of Computer Application and Master of Computer Application. It is a five-year integrated or dual degree program offered to undergraduate students. The course was specifically designed for students who wish to study advanced computer applications but prefer a short duration of the course. It combines the BCA and MCA degrees which are both progressive level programs. In this course, students are educated about topics like hardware systems, application software, computer languages, and IT management.

BCA and MCA Full Form

BCA full form is Bachelor of Computer Applications. It is a bachelor's degree program. MCA full form is Master of Computer Applications.

The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has established criteria and qualifications for the BCA+MCA program. Typically, these are three-year programs with six semesters. They are made to fill the gap between computer science research and practical computer use. The BCA and MCA program prepares students to address the challenges and opportunities in the Indian IT sector. They help students lay a solid foundation in the field and shape them to become computer professionals with the correct moral and ethical principles.

BCA and MCA Highlights

BCA and MCA Course Duration

This undergraduate degree has a duration of three years, during which time students pick up a variety of new skills and develop their knowledge of computer languages. The master's program is a two-year course. Hence, the duration of this integrated course is five years.

Also see: PGDCA Course

BCA and MCA Eligibility Criteria

The basic requirements that must be met by all applicants to be accepted into a university or institution for the BCA+MCA integrated course are listed below. It is important to keep in mind that these are the general specified qualification expected by most universities. However, there may be certain colleges that may have their own unique qualifying requirements.

• Applicant must successfully pass their 10+2 with an aggregate 50 percentile.
• Candidates belonging to the reserved category are given a relaxation of 5 percentile.
• The candidate must have taken mathematics, economics, and information science/technology as part of their 12th-grade curriculum.

It must be noted that while the requirements may be the minimum, the candidate would need to score higher than that in order to guarantee a place at a reputable university or college offering the course due to fierce competition.

BCA and MCA Admission Process

Follow the step-by-step process for BCA and MCA Admissions: 

• Candidates must first apply through online or offline registration in order to be considered for admission to one of the universities or colleges offering the integrated program.
• The university may even conduct an entrance exam to select candidates. It gives an additional benefit for the candidates who might not have scored well on their 12th exams.
• Then, those who passed the entrance exams are invited to the counseling sessions, which are followed by a GD+PI (Group Discussion and Personal Interview Sessions).
• Finally, students must fulfill the admission process and pay the fees to secure their place in the college.
• Some colleges may even enroll students on their combined 10+2 marks and entrance exam score and then immediately contact them for the GD+PI sessions.

It is to be noted here that the BCA+MCA admission process may vary from college to college.

BCA and MCA Entrance Exams

For most colleges, the BCA+MCA integrated course entrance process is typically merit-based. However, there are some colleges that hold entrance exams to grant admissions the integrated BCA+MCA program. In some private universities and colleges, interested candidates may also apply directly or on the basis of a donation to take the course.

Given below are the details of the main BCA+MCA entrance exams:

• IPU CET: Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test is referred to as IPU CET. It is conducted to choose qualified applicants for admission to the various academic programs offered by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.
• WBJECA: The West Bengal Joint Examination for Masters in Computer Application is known as WB JECA. The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board (WBJEEB) administers the WBJECA entrance exam. It is a state-level entrance exam whose results are only used to grant admissions to the colleges in the state of West Bengal.
• LPUNEST: LPUNEST stands for Lovely Professional University National Entrance cum Scholarship Test. It is conducted to provide admissions in various academic courses offered by Lovely Professional University.

BCA and MCA Integrated Course Syllabus

Given below is the list of year-wise subjects that are covered over the course of this five-year program:

BCA and MCA First Year Syllabus :

• Fundamentals of Computer and C-Programming
• Basic Electronics
• Digital Logic Mathematics
• Mathematics-II
• Principles of Management
• Data Structure
• Computer Organization & Architecture
• Data Structure Labs

BCA and MCA Second Year Syllabus:

• Mathematics-III
• Operating System
• Organizational Behavior
• Oriented Programming with Java
• Microprocessors
• Database Management System
• Formal Language & Automata Theory
• Labs

BCA and MCA Third Year Syllabus:

• Data Communication & Networks
• Web Technology
• Software Engineering
• Computer Networks Laboratory
• Web Technology Labs

BCA and MCA Fourth Year Syllabus:

• Graph Theory
• Artificial intelligence 4
• Cryptography and Network Security
• Design and Analysis of Algorithm 4
• Algorithm Laboratory
• Projects
• Labs

BCA and MCA Fifth Year Syllabus:

• Operation Research
• Mobile and Wireless Communication
• Compiler Design
• Labs
• Projects

BCA and MCA: Job Profiles and Salary Packages

It is crucial to keep in mind that a master's degree in computer applications is an advanced course that improves the student's general knowledge and experience. Thus, improving the chances for better work opportunities. Some of the best opportunities include:

1) Project Manager, Information Technology (IT): They plan the steps in the project and consider the effects on the market at each stage. They also keep a track of progress to ensure that timelines, expectations, and financial goals are met.

Average Salary: INR 10,70,000

2) Technical Consultants: They work for businesses as consultants, problem solvers, and performance boosters. They are experts in particular subjects like computer technology.

Average Salary: INR 8,00,000

3) Software Engineer/Developer/Programmer: They find areas where existing systems can be improved, and then implement those changes. Writing efficient codes and putting it to use are some of their other responsibilities.

Average Salary: INR 6,50,000

4) Software Test Lead: The function of a software test lead includes promoting consistency, organizing and managing resources, and addressing obstacles that prevent the testing effort.

Average Salary: INR 8,34,713

5) Software Developer: They study, construct, deploy, and maintain the applications of the programs. Also, they test and review experimental programs.

Average Salary: INR 3,06,582

Top BCA and MCA Colleges in India

Here is a list of the top BCA+MCA colleges in India along with their fee details and top recruiters.