Online BCA Course: The Complete Guide
What is a BCA Course?
The BCA degree is an undergraduate course focused on computer applications and information technology. It is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in computer science, programming languages, database management, software development, networking, and other related areas. In an Online BCA course, students can access study materials, lectures, assignments, and other learning resources through online platforms, such as learning management systems or dedicated portals.
Online learning BCA courses provide the flexibility of time and place to students who cannot attend traditional on-campus programmes due to various reasons, such as work commitments, geographical constraints, or personal circumstances. But if you are worried about whether an online course is as effective as a regular course, then rest all your doubts and let’s assure you that it is really worth the deal. In fact, the UGC has also recognised the value of Online education. In September 2022, UGC announced that online courses hold equal value as regular courses.
Benefits Of Online BCA Course
As we discussed before, UGC recognises the value of online education. Hence, over the period of time, the government has taken various actions to promote Online education. Some of the prominent government initiatives to promote digital education are PM E-Vidhya, DIKSHA, Vidya Daan, and many others. These initiatives stand as a testimony to the ever-growing Online education market. And this is your cue to become a part of it.
Here are some of the top benefits of pursuing an Online BCA course:
- Cost-Effectiveness:
According to a report by Learning House and Aslanian Market Research, 76% of online students believe that cost is an important factor to look at while choosing a course. And Online education does just that. It offers the students a more affordable way to pursue education and truth be told, universities can also save a lot of cost.
- Flexibility:
Another factor that helps students pick Online learning is the flexibility that it offers. It helps them in managing their study schedules more effectively. A survey conducted by Online Learning Consortium found that 91% of online learners stated that the flexibility of online education was a significant factor in their decision to enrol.
- Improved Retention:
According to a study published in the Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, Online courses have higher retention rates approximately by 5% – 10% as compared to face-to-face courses. Hence, it is safe to say that Online education is more reliable and has the ability to retain more students.
- Enhanced Learning Outcomes:
Online education can result in enhanced learning outcomes. According to the Review of Educational Research, students engaged in online learning performed modestly better than those in traditional face-to-face learning environments. The study also highlighted that blended learning produced better results.
- Global Reach:
According to a UNESCO report, the number of students enrolled in Online education worldwide reached 118 million in the year 2018. Online education enables universities to reach a global audience. This global reach allows them to attract a diverse student population and fosters cross-cultural learning and experiences.
- Accessibility:
Online education provides greater accessibility to education, particularly for people who are hooked up at work or have family responsibilities. According to a report by the Babson Survey Research Group, the number of students enrolled in at least one online course in the United States increased by 3.9% in 2017, which suggests the growing accessibility of Online education.
Online BCA Course Duration
BCA is a 3-year undergraduate degree that focuses on core Computer Science subjects. The course caters to a wide range of subjects such as information technology, information security, software engineering, and networking technology. In India, generally, universities offer a 3-year Online BCA degree that can be extended up to 6 years.
List of Specialisations
Here is a list of industry-oriented specialisations that are offered by various universities in India:
- IT Technologies
- Internet Technologies
- Music and Video Processing
- Management Information System
- Programming Languages
- Computer Graphics
- Systems Analysis
- Database Management System
- Network Systems
Note: This is a general list of specialisations for BCA. It may vary as per the university.
Eligibility Criteria & Entrance Exams
To be eligible for the Online BCA course, a student must be a graduate in any field from a recognised university. Generally, they are not required to appear for any entrance exams for taking admission into this course.
Note: This is general eligibility for BCA. It may vary as per the university.
Admission Process
Universities in India follow the following admission process for Online BCA programme:
- Starting with, the students must have met the minimum eligibility criteria
- Second, they have to fill out a detailed online application form for the Online BCA programme and upload all the necessary documents
- This step is followed by the application fee payment
- Once accepted, they will be intimated by the university and have to pay the tuition fee
Note: This is the general process. It may vary as per the university.
Course Fee Structure
There are many universities that offer Online BCA courses in India and the fee varies. Here is a list of the tuition fee of some of the top universities:
| Amity University | INR 85,000 (Complete Course) |
| Jaipur National University | INR 2,47,000 (Complete Course) |
| Chandigarh University | Semester Fee INR 13,350 (Excluding SLM hard copy) INR 14, 850 (Including SLM hard copy) |
| Lovely Professional University | The fee differs as per how the students want to pursue the course: INR 10,500 (Per Semester) INR 20,000 (Per Annum) INR 57,000 (One Time Payment for the Complete Course) |
Syllabus & Subjects
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Basic Mathematics- I | Data Structures Using C |
| Business Communication | Environmental Studies |
| Computer and Information Technology | Individual Excellence and Social Dynamic |
| Human-Computer Interaction | Operating System Concepts |
| Programming in C | Software Engineering and Modeling (UG) Syllabus |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Introduction to Database Management Systems | Unix Operating System and Shell Programming |
| Computational Statistics | Python Programming |
| Green computing | Practical Approach to Data Mining and Analytics |
| Network Basics | Applied Cloud Computing |
| Object Oriented Programming Using Java | Information Security – Practitioner’s Perspective |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | Major Project [Non-Teaching Credit Courses] |
| Fundamentals of E-commerce | Advanced Cyber Security |
| Professional Ethics | Cloud Architecture |
| Practical Approach to Cyber Security | Cryptography |
| Cloud Development |
Note: The course curriculum may vary as per the university.
Job Opportunities after Online BCA
| Job Role | Average Salary |
| Software Developer | INR 6 LPA |
| Systems Analyst | INR 3 LPA |
| Consultant | INR 10 LPA |
| Data Scientist | INR 8 LPA |
| Data Analyst | INR 5.33 LPA |
| Web Designer | INR 2.76 LPA |
| Web Developer | INR 3.12 LPA |
| Network Administrator | INR 3.12 LPA |
Summary Table
| Course Name | Online BCA |
| Course Type | Undergraduate |
| Mode of Learning | Online/ Online |
| Duration | 3 Years (can be extended up to 6 Years) |
| Fee Structure | INR 22,000 – 86,000 per year |
| Job Roles | Software Developer, Systems Analyst, Consultant, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Web Designer, Web Developer Network Administrator, etc. |
| Entrance Exams | N/A |
FAQs
Q1. Can I do BCA in Online mode?
Yes, you can do BCA in Online mode. An important thing to remember while going for Online education is to look at the accreditations of the university.
Q2. Is Online BCA valuable?
Yes, an Online BCA is a valuable degree. It gives you the flexibility to opt for a regular course or do a job on the side. It is a good way to add a new degree to your hat.
Q3. Can I complete BCA in 1 year?
No, the minimum duration of a BCA course is 3 Years, and the Online mode can be extended up to 6 years. But even a lateral Online BCA course is of 2 years.
Q4. Is BCA tough for average students?
No, BCA is not a tough course. It is a course that focuses on the fundamentals of computer science and with the right strategy, it can be managed easily.
Q5. Can I do regular MCA after Online BCA?
Yes, you can do a regular course after Online BCA. Given that Online and regular courses are at par with each other as per the latest UGC notification.
Tags: bachelor of computer application, bachelor of computer applications, bca, distance bca, Distance Education, distance learning bca, online bca, Online Education, online learning bca