The MCA (Master of Computer Applications) programme is a two-year programme that covers topics such as computer programming, computer architecture, application software, operating systems, and related topics. Choosing MCA is always a wise decision because after completing the course, candidates will be hired in the IT industry, which is expected to grow by 3% by the end of 2022. Master of Computer Applications programmes are available in both online and offline formats, depending on the candidate’s preferences.
Admission to MCA programmes is based on both merit and entrance exams. The minimum eligibility criteria for admission to MCA are that the candidate has a degree in BCA or an equivalent stream with an aggregate of 50 percent or higher. When an MCA degree is approved by AICTE or UGC, it is demanding and influential. As a result, students interested in pursuing an MCA should enrol in an AICTE or UGC-approved institution.
Table of Contents
Overview of MCA
Here is the quick overview given for MCA course details:
| Full Form | Master of Computer Application |
| Duration of course | 3 Years |
| Course Types | Full Time, Online and Distance |
| Entrance Exams | TANCET, WBJEE JECA, UPSEE, TSICET |
| Eligibility Criteria | Graduate with 50% and must have Mathematics as a subject of study |
| Top Colleges | Christ University, NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, JNU, Delhi University |
| Fees | INR 30,000 – INR 2,00,000 |
| Job Profiles | Frontend Developers, Backend Developers, Web Designing, Networking Professionals |
Eligibility Criteria for MCA
- Candidates must have a graduate degree in computer science or computer applications with a 50 percent or higher aggregate mark from a well-recognized university that is AICTE or UGC approved or equivalent.
- Candidates must have mathematics as one of their class 12 subjects.
Admission Process for MCA
Admissions to the MCA programme are handled in two ways: through entrance exams or on a merit basis, and through management quotas. State-level entrance exams include IPU CET, MHT CET, and others. Let us go over the procedures for these two admission methods.
- MCA entrance examination: In order to gain admission through entrance examinations, candidates must obtain the required number of points from the institute. After passing the institutes’ cut-off scores, candidates are invited to participate in counselling, where they are given the opportunity to select the college of their choice and merit. Following seat allocation, candidates must visit the college’s campus and complete the other admission procedures. Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Greater Noida Institute of Technology, MDU, and other institutions offer admission through entrance exams.
- MCA direct admission: The direct exam process entails admission based on the marks obtained in the graduation exam. On the other hand, there are universities that admit candidates based on management quotas. Candidates who are admitted on the basis of management must pay a higher fee than the other candidates. Chandigarh University, Amity University, and Lovely Professional University are among the institutions that offer management quota admissions (LPU).
Skills Required for MCA
To be a successful and efficient MCA, one must have excellent communication and behavioural skills. A positive attitude toward oneself, confidence, and technical skills are also important. The skills listed below are required to become an MCA.
- Good communication skills
- Efficiency in programming languages like Java, C, C++, net, etc.
- Technical skills
- Awareness of the latest technology trends
- Positive attitude
- Knowledge of data structures and data base
- Behavioural skills
- Good programming skills with a healthy experience in the field
- Confidence
Benefits of Pursuing MCA
MCA is a two-year postgraduate degree programme designed for students who want to excel in the world of technology. Master of Computer Applications programmes are thriving, with numerous opportunities available in both the public and private sectors.
- The MCA job sector is thriving, with 2,05,000 new job opportunities added each year and a 7.7 percent annual growth rate.
- MCA candidates have an abundance of job opportunities in a wide range of industries/sectors and job roles.
- Candidates who complete MCA will be placed quickly with a minimum salary of INR 4 LPA.
- Promising MCA candidates can also expect to be hired by world-class MNCs and IT firms such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and others, with a starting salary of INR 13 LPA that will grow rapidly over time.
Entrance Exams for MCA
Throughout India, there are various entrance exams that aid in MCA admissions. IPU CET, UPSEE, NIMCET, TANCET, VIT MEE, and MAH MCA CET are among the MCA entrance exams. These MCA entrance exams are administered both offline and online.
| Entrance Exam | University | Mode |
| IPU CET | Indraprastha University | Online |
| UPSEE | Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) | Online & Offline |
| NIMCET | National Institute Of Technology, Raipur | Pen & Paper |
| TANCET | Anna University | Pen & Paper |
| VIT MEE | VIT University | Online |
| MAH MCA CET | State Common Entrance Test Cell, Maharashtra | Computer based test |
Top Colleges for MCA in India
MCA is popular in India because of the increasing demand in the IT industry. JNU, New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Anna University, Chennai, NIT Trichy, Tiruchirapalli, and many other institutes provide quality education to candidates. These colleges’ average MCA fee ranges from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 5 lakhs per year.
The table below lists the colleges in India, as well as the average MCA university fees:
| MCA College Names | Average MCA Fee |
| JNU, New Delhi course fee | Rs. 1,357 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi course fee | Rs. 8,500 |
| Anna University, Chennai course fee | Rs. 41,000 |
| VIT, Indore course fee | Rs. 4,14,000 |
| Bharathiar University, Coimbatore course fee | Rs. 25,600 |
| University Of Hyderabad, Hyderabad course fee | Rs. 51,955 |
| NIT Trichy, Tiruchirapalli course fee | Rs. 2,75,000 |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune course fee | Rs. 26,000 |
| Calcutta University, Kolkata course fee | Rs. 19,100 |
| Manipal Academy Of Higher Education, Manipal course fee | Rs. 1,89,000 |
MCA Course in Abroad
Because of the better infrastructure, placement drives, and research facilities, aspirants frequently choose to study MCA abroad. There are numerous other courses available abroad that provide comparable degrees to the MCA. Before applying for MCA in foreign colleges, candidates must understand the eligibility requirements.
The eligibility criteria for admission to foreign MCA colleges are listed below.
- Candidates must have graduated from a recognised university or equivalent.
- Candidates must pass English proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL.
- Because MCA in foreign countries is very expensive, funding must be obtained through various scholarship programmes.
Top Colleges for MCA in Abroad
The Master of Computer Applications programme is popular in countries such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The University of Toronto, University of Alberta, University of Waterloo, University of British Columbia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California State University Los Angeles Campus, University of Queensland, University of Melbourne, and many others are among the MCA colleges that provide quality education to candidates.
A few things to consider when applying to MCA colleges abroad:
- MCA courses last 1 to 2 years, with some courses lasting 1.5 years in Australia.
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.
- Various colleges request different cut off dates. These colleges’ minimum cut off marks range from 83 to 89 percent, or a GPA of 3.0.
- Candidates must submit their GRE or GMAT exam scores.
- The overall score required for admission is 7 in IELTS or 80% in TOEFL.
- The average MCA fee ranges from Rs. 25 Lakh to Rs. 50 Lakh in the United States, Rs. 10 Lakh to Rs. 23 Lakh in the United Kingdom, Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 35 Lakh in Australia, and Rs. 15 to Rs. 25 Lakh in Canada.
The table below lists the top MCA colleges in various countries, as well as their average MCA fees:
|
Name of the College |
Country |
Average Fee for MCA |
|
University of Toronto course fee |
Canada |
Rs 23.5 Lakhs |
|
University of Alberta course fee |
Rs 15.7 Lakhs |
|
|
University of Waterloo course fee |
Rs 28.2 Lakhs |
|
|
University of British Columbia course fee |
Rs 16.6 Lakhs |
|
|
McGill University course fee |
Rs 17.4 Lakhs |
|
|
Stanford University course fee |
USA |
Rs 45.5 Lakhs |
|
New York University course fee |
Rs 38.5 Lakhs |
|
|
University of Texas at Dallas course fee |
Rs 38.2 Lakhs |
|
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology course fee |
Rs 55.2 Lakhs |
|
|
California State University Los Angeles Campus course fee |
Rs 16.3 Lakhs |
|
|
University of Sunderland course fee |
UK |
Rs 19.3 Lakhs |
|
University of Greenwich course fee |
Rs 21.3 Lakhs |
|
|
University of East London course fee |
Rs 22.2 Lakhs |
|
|
University of Oxford course fee |
Rs 37.3 Lakhs |
|
|
Teesside University course fee |
Rs 10.9 Lakhs |
|
|
RMIT University course fee |
Australia |
Rs 21.8 Lakhs |
|
University of Queensland course fee |
Rs 25.5 Lakhs |
|
|
University of Melbourne course fee |
Rs 38 Lakhs |
|
|
University of Adelaide course fee |
Rs 34.5 Lakhs |
|
|
University of Sydney course fee |
Rs 49 Lakhs |
Top Colleges for MCA in different Cities
There are numerous cities throughout the country that offer MCA. Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad are among the top cities that offer the best courses. Narula Institute Of Technology, BP Poddar Institute Of Management & Technology, Jadavpur University, AIMS Institutes, Administrative Management College, Global Institute Of Management Sciences, Presidency University, Dr. DY Patil Institute Of Management & Research, MIT School Of Management, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Presidency School Of Management and Computer Science, Aurora’s Technological and Research Institute, and Aurora’s Technological and Research Institute are among the top colleges in Kolkata.
The following tables list the best MCA colleges in Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad.
In Kolkata:
| MCA College Names | Average MCA Fee |
| Narula Institute Of Technology course fee | Rs. 2,06,000 |
| University Of Calcutta course fee | Rs. 19,094 |
| Techno India University course fee | Rs. 1,77,000 |
| BP Poddar Institute Of Management & Technology course fee | Rs. 3,10,000 |
| Future Institute Of Engineering and Management course fee | Rs. 1,41,950 |
| Heritage Institute Of Technology course fee | Rs. 1,24,650 |
| Pailan College Of Management and Technology course fee | Rs. 99,150 |
| Jadavpur University course fee | NA |
| Annex College course fee | Rs. 1,20,000 |
In Bangalore:
| MCA College Names | Average MCA Fee |
| Jain University course fee | Rs. 1,37,000 |
| Presidency University course fee | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Global Institute Of Management Sciences course fee | NA |
| AJ Aviation Academy course fee | NA |
| Kristu Jayanti College course fee | Rs. 1,17,000 |
| AIMS Institutes course fee | Rs. 4,02,000 |
| Christ University course fee | Rs. 1,40,000 |
| Administrative Management College course fee | Rs. 60,000 |
| Sambhram Academy Of Management Studies course fee | Rs. 75,000 |
| Mount Carmel College course fee | NA |
In Pune:
| MCA College Names | Average MCA Fee |
| Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith course fee | Rs. 45,000 |
| Dr. DY Patil Institute Of Management & Research course fee | Rs. 98,000 |
| Progressive Education Society’s Modern College Of Engineering course fee | Rs. 84,500 |
| Jayawant Institute Of Management Studies course fee | Rs. 1,13,000 |
| ASM Group Of Institutes course fee | Rs. 81,000 |
| Allana Institute Of Management and Sciences course fee | Rs. 67,000 |
| Dr. DY Patil Arts, Science, and Commerce Pimpri course fee | Rs. 55,000 |
| Singhabad Business School course fee | Rs. 84,537 |
| Ness Wadia College Of Commerce course fee | NA |
| MIT School Of Management course fee | Rs. 1,50,000 |
In Hyderabad:
| MCA College Names | Average MCA Fee |
| Osmania University course fee | NA |
| Chaitanya Bharathi Institute Of Technology course fee | Rs. 82,000 |
| A.V. College Of Arts Science and Commerce course fee | Rs. 40,000 |
| Aurora’s Technological and Research Institute course fee | Rs. 36,200 |
| Nizam College course fee | NA |
| St. Ann’s College for Women course fee | Rs. 27,000 |
| Deccan College Of Engineering and Technology course fee | Rs. 37,500 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University course fee | Rs. 16,500 |
| University Of Hyderabad course fee | Rs. 42,610 |
| Presidency School Of Management and Computer Science course fee | NA |
Syllabus for MCA
The Master of Computer Application programme lasts three years and is divided into six semesters. Classroom lectures, practicals, and project work are all part of the MCA syllabus. The most important aspect of the MCA course programme is the project work.
The final semester of the Master of Computer Application curriculum is entirely devoted to project work, and specialisation is also determined during this semester.
The following is a list of MCA course subjects taught in most Indian universities; both practical and theoretical subjects are included.
For First Year
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Computer Organisation & Architecture | Data Communication & Computer Networks |
| Business Systems and Application | Object-Oriented Programming in C++ |
| Computer Programming with C | Information Systems Analysis & Design |
| Discrete Mathematical Structure | Database Management System I |
| Business English and Communication | Data Structures with C |
| Programming in C | Object-Oriented Programming lab (C++) |
| Micro Programming & Architecture Lab | Data structure lab |
| Business presentation and language lab | Database lab |
For Second Year
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Unix and Shell Programming | Software Engineering & TQM |
| Business Management | Database Management System II |
| Operating Systems and Systems Software | Environment and Ecology |
| Intelligent Systems | Graphics and Multimedia |
| Management Accounting | Operation Research and Optimisation Techniques |
| Statistics and Numerical Techniques | Advanced Database lab |
| Unix lab | Software Project Management lab |
| Statistics and Numerical Analysis lab | Graphics & Multimedia Lab |
For Third Year
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Values and Ethics of Profession | Major project and seminar |
| Elective 1 (System Administration and Linux or Windows Programming With VB) | – |
| Elective 2 ( Advanced Unix programming or Object Oriented Programming With Java ) | – |
| Elective 3 (Distributed database management or Parallel Programming ) | – |
| Elective 4 (Compiler Design or E-Commerce) | – |
| Minor project and seminar | – |
| Elective Lab | – |
Specialisations in MCA Course
Students can choose from a variety of MCA specialisations in their final year of study. Some of the MCA specialisations available at Indian universities include:
- Application Software
- Troubleshooting
- Hardware Technology
- Internet
- Systems Development
- Management Information Systems (MIS)
- Software Development
- Systems Engineering
- Networking
- Systems Management
Job Profiles and Career Opportunities in MCA
Career opportunities for an MCA Graduate are expected to improve in the coming years due to the rapid growth in the IT and software sectors. Master of Computer Applications positions are available in top-tier IT and consulting firms.
MCA graduates may find employment in startups. The startup culture that has taken off in India is a boon for MCA freshers. Aside from top-tier IT firms, smaller firms or startups also pay well for tech professionals.
In a typical IT company, the starting Master of Computer Applications salary ranges from 2.5 to 3.6 LPA. The point is that there is currently a boom in the IT industries, so after obtaining an MCA course degree, there are many career opportunities available in the current scenario, and industry experts believe that there are very few chances of regression in the coming years.
Some Master of Computer Applications jobs, along with their job descriptions and average salaries:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | A software developer’s primary responsibilities are to design, install, test, and maintain software in a company. | 4,85,000 |
| Web Developer | A web developer creates a website’s look, layout, and various features. Such professionals must be well-versed in both graphic design and computer programming. | 2,81,000 |
| Systems Analyst | A system analyst’s job is to determine what software or hardware the company requires. Their responsibilities extend beyond software and hardware to the larger IT system. | 6,54,000 |
| Network Administrator | The Network Administrator is in charge of fully supporting, configuring, and maintaining networks and in-house servers. | 3,67,000 |
| Mobile App Developer | They are primarily in charge of developing mobile apps based on the needs of the customer. | 4,41,000 |
| System Administrator | System Administrators are typically in charge of setting up, supporting, and maintaining servers or other computer systems. Other responsibilities include scripting or light programming, project management, etc. | 3,04,000 |
| Hardware Engineer | A hardware engineer is responsible for overseeing a computer’s hardware configuration. | 3,78,000 |
| Technical Writer | A technical writer, like a content writer, writes about core technical topics. Such professionals are in high demand for writing technical blogs and product descriptions. | 4,93,000 |
Top Recruiters: MCA
There are numerous career and job opportunities available after completing an MCA. Candidates can find work in fields such as application development, business analysis, system analyst, ethical hacking, technical writers, and many more through top companies such as Naukri.com, IBM, SAP, 99acres.com, cognizant, Jeevansathi.com, Texas Instruments, and many more.
| Naukri.com | NTPC |
| SAP | Cognizant |
| IBM | Jeevansathi.com |
| 99acres.com | Accenture |
| Wipro Systems | Polaris |
| HCL Technologies | Microsoft |
| D.E Shaw | GAIL |
| Infosys | Texas Instruments |
| TCS | ORACLE |
| MAHINDRA | BHEL |
Salary Trends: MCA
After completing the course, candidates can expect to earn more than Rs. 3 lakhs per year on average. Robotics and Scalability Technology, HCL, Accenture, Ericson, IBM, Hi-Tech Solutions, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and others are among the top recruiters of MCA graduates.
The table below highlights the top MCA recruiters as well as the average salary offered.
| Top Recruiters | Average Salary Package Offered |
|---|---|
| TCS | INR 5.40 LPA |
| Wipro | INR 6 LPA |
| Infosys | INR 3.60 LPA |
| Cognizant | INR 6.70 LPA |
| IBM | INR 4.50 LPA |
| Tech Mahindra | INR 3.90 LPA |
| HCL | INR 3 LPA |
| Accenture | INR 3.8 LPA |
| Hi-Tech Solutions | INR 5 LPA |
| Ericson | INR3.4 LPA |
| Robotics and Scalability Technology | INR 6 LPA |
Scope of MCA Course
After completing the Master of Computer Applications programme, graduates will have numerous opportunities. Top firms such as Accenture, Cap Gemini, Cognizant, Amazon, Robotics and Scalability Technology, HCL, and others. The course’s diversity results in candidates earning between Rs. 2 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs per year after completing the MCA course in India. Technical Writer is one of the job profiles. A technical writer is similar to a content writer in that they write about core technical topics. Such professionals are in high demand for writing technical blogs and product descriptions.
Web Developers, Mobile App Developers, Hardware Engineers, Network Administrators, Systems Analysts, Software Developers, System Administrators, and others are in high demand. The table below shows the most sought-after job profiles, as well as the type of work performed and the average MCA salary earned by candidates in the respective fields.
Students in India have a variety of options after completing an MCA course degree. Because the MCA course is a terminal degree, most students prefer to pursue employment after completing it. However, students can pursue courses such as MBA to work in management or Ph.D. to work as a researcher and professor. You can qualify for the UGC NET or GATE and work as a lecturer in various government and private colleges on a government-set salary scale.
Another viable option is to pursue a Master of Computer Management (MCM) or Master of Information Management (MIM) degree (MIM).
- MBA: A two-year postgraduate professional course designed to train candidates in various aspects of business administration and organisational behaviour. Candidates pursuing the MBA programme can specialise in areas such as finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and so on. To gain admission to top BSchools in India, candidates must pass entrance exams such as XAT, CAT, or MAT. An MBA in Information Technology from a reputable B-School in India is a good option for MCA students.
- PhD: This is a research-level degree programme in which candidates must publish papers in a specific field of study. Following the completion of their PG course, candidates must sit for various entrance exams. Candidates must submit a proposal for their research paper as part of the admissions process. Only if approved can they proceed with the admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. Delhi University is one of the top colleges for Masters of Computer Application education. In the 2019 NIRF Overall Rankings, DU was ranked 20th.
Ans. At the 545th meeting of the University Grant Commission (UGC) in December 2019, the duration of the MCA course was reduced from three to two years, effective in the 2020-21 academic year.
Ans. Both have their advantages, and it is up to the student to decide what he wants to do in the future. If he wants a job and is good at administrative skills, he should pursue an MBA, but if he wants to learn more about MCA course as a subject, he should pursue an MCA course. There are far more MCA course opportunities that will allow the individual to work while also contributing to the subject.
Ans. MCA courses are generally equivalent to BTech courses, but Mtech courses have a broader scope than MCA courses. It would be preferable if the MCA student stayed in the academic field where his knowledge would be valued more.
Ans. The average annual salary for MCA course graduates ranges between INR 4,00,000 and INR 6,50,000. There are enough jobs available in both the public and private sectors for an MCA course graduate with the necessary skills.