MCA Course: Full Form, Course Duration, Fees, Eligibility, Courses, Admission
MCA or Master of Computer Applications is a 3-year professional postgraduate degree in computer science that studies various traditional and modern aspects of Software Engineering, Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer Graphics, and Artificial Intelligence. The core MCA subjects include Fundamentals of Computer, Computer Design and Architecture, Data & File Structures, Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics, Artificial Intelligence and Expert Theory, etc.
To be eligible for MCA Admissions, candidates must have a bachelor's degree in computer science or computer application with a 50% aggregate mark or an equal CGPA from a recognized university. Candidates are also required to qualify for entrance exams, such as UPSEE, OJEE, TANCET, etc. The average MCA fees ranges from INR 30,000 - 2 Lakhs Per Annum.
An MCA course is a great option for anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in computer science. After completion of the MCA degree, candidates can find job opportunities in IT, software companies, international conglomerates, and MNCs. The average salary of MCA graduate ranges between INR 3 - 10 LPA.
Table of Contents
- What is MCA Course?
- MCA Eligibility Criteria
- Why Choose an MCA Course?
- MCA Admission 2024
- MCA Entrance Exam
- Top MCA Colleges in India
- MCA Specialisations
- Types of MCA Courses
- MCA Subjects and Syllabus
- Integrated MCA Course
- MCA vs MSc CS
- Courses After MCA
- Salary of an MCA Course Graduate
- Career Options After Master of Computer Application
- MCA Scholarships
- Skills That Make A Best MCA Course Graduate
MCA Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Computer Application |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | No Age Limit |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% in UG |
| Average Fees | ₹30K - 2 LPA |
| Similar Options of Study | MCM, M.Sc Computer Science, B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering, MCS |
| Average Salary | INR 3-10 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Senior Software Engineer, Software Developer, Team Leader (IT), Project Manager (IT) |
| Top Recruiters | HCL Technologies Ltd., TCS, Accenture, Cognizant, Capgemini, Tech Mahindra Ltd |
What is MCA Course?
MCA full form stands for Master of Computer Applications, a skill-oriented program structured with an insightful and comprehensive understanding of computer applications, software programming, operating systems, and web technology.
The MCA course duration is three years and introduces students to the advanced concepts of computer applications through a theoretical and practical understanding of modern computer technologies, software & app development, UX design, and programming languages.
MCA Eligibility Criteria
For admission, candidates are required to meet the minimum MCA eligibility which can differ based on several factors, such as course availability, performance in the entrance exam, and a candidate's merit. MCA course eligibility criteria require:
- Students to have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Applications, Computer Science, or a related field with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA from any recognized university along with qualifying for entrance exams such as TANCET, OJEE, TS-ICET, etc.
- Aspirants must have Mathematics as a core subject in their high school education 10+2 and Bachelor Courses.
- There are no upper age limit restrictions to enroll in MCA course.
Also, Check: MCA After BSc
Why Choose an MCA Course?
MCA course delves deep into the field of computer science and applications. Below are the detailed viewpoints regarding why one should choose the MCA course:
- The IT sector is growing rapidly in India as several MNCs and startups are establishing their business operations here.
- The software and IT services markets are anticipated to reach US $19.93 Billion by 2025 (Source: Mint).
- According to Statista, the IT services market is anticipated to generate revenues of $1364 Billion in 2024.
- The Indian job market is rapidly expanding as hiring rates significantly raised by 11% in February 2024.
Read More: Top 10 Benefits of Pursuing MCA Course
MCA Admission 2024
The admission procedure for the MCA degree is done on a merit or entrance basis. Listed below are some of the admission process details for the MCA course in general:
- Step 1: The basic MCA eligibility criteria should be met by student for securing admission to the MCA course.
- Step 2: MCA course registration can be done by checking the college website or by visiting the admission office of the institution.
- Step 3: The candidate should clear the entrance exam cut-off if required by the college.
- Step 4: Following the entrance test and the presentation of the results, universities and institutions will publish their cut-offs to begin the admission process.
- Step 5: Once the merit list is issued, aspirants need to go for GD and Interview process.
- Step 6: Upon selection, students need to upload the appropriate documents and pay the fees.
Also, Check: MCA Lateral Entry
MCA Entrance Exam
The MCA course admission process is based on entrance exam such as ATMA, PUCET, LPUNEST, SUAT, SAAT, etc in a few colleges. Listed below are some of the popular college-based MCA entrance exams conducted in India:
| MCA Entrance Exams | Registration Details | Accepting Colleges |
| ATMA | Nov 29, 2023- Feb 11, 2024 | Institute of Business Management (PG), GLA University, IILM University, Christ University |
| PUCET | February 2024 (Tentative) | Aligarh Muslim University, Assam University, Banaras Hindu University |
| BIT MCA | March 2024 (Tentative) | NIT Trichy, NIT Durgapur, University of Durgapur |
| VITMEE | March-April 2024 (Tentative) | VIT Bhopal University, VIT Chennai, VIT AP University |
| NIMCET | March 2024 (Tentative) | MNNIT Allahabad, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Warangal |
| GVSAT | March-April 2024 (Tentative) | S P Jain Institute of Management & Research, BITS Pilani, Great Lakes Institute of Management |
| SUAT | January 2024 (Tentative) | Sharda University |
| LPUNEST | Oct 16, 2023 -Jan 15, 2024 | Lovely Professional University |
| JUET | February 2024 (Tentative) | Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Central University of Andhra Pradesh, Banaras Hindu University |
| KIITEE | Nov 10, 2023 - Mar 10, 2024 | KIIT Bhubaneswar, KSOL Bhubaneswar, KIIT School of Computer Application |
Read More: MCA Entrance Exams
Top MCA Colleges in India
MCA course fees range between INR 30,000 PA - 2 LPA. Various factors come into play when deciding upon the MCA fees charged by the colleges. The MCA fee structure in Indian colleges is reasonable compared to other computer science degrees.
Listed below is the MCA fee structure for top colleges in India:
| Name of the Institute | Total Fee Structure |
Admission Fees |
Miscellaneous Fees |
| Chandigarh University | INR 1.4 LPA | - | INR 21,500 PA |
| Jain University | INR 2 LPA | INR 1,000 | INR 32,000 PA |
| Christ University | INR 1.8 LPA | INR 5,000 | INR 43,394 PA |
| Amity University | INR 50,000 PA | INR 20,000 | - |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | INR 1 LPA | - | INR 1.02 LPA |
| JNU, Delhi | INR 371 PA | INR 1,000 | INR 2500 |
| University of Hyderabad | INR 37,630 PA | INR 3,000 | INR 8,775 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi | INR 8,500 PA | INR 500 | INR 4,500 |
| NIT, Trichy | INR 70,000 PA | INR 5,000 | INR 12,000 |
| NIT, Warangal | INR 62,500 PA | INR 1,000 | INR 8,000 |
| Sharda University | INR 1.54 LPA | INR 5,000 | INR 6,000 |
| UPES | INR 1.10 LPA | INR 1,000 | INR 3,500 |
| VIT Vellore | INR 1.4 LPA | INR 3,000 | INR 1,000 |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | INR 1 LPA | INR 10,000 | INR 8,000 |
| GLA University | INR 1.38 LPA | INR 1,000 | - |
Read More: Top MCA Colleges Without Entrance Exams
Top City-Wise MCA Colleges in India
Below listed is the location-wise MCA colleges in India with the average annual fees:
| Cities | Average Fees |
| MCA Colleges in Bangalore | INR 58,000 PA |
| MCA Colleges in Pune | INR 65,000 PA |
| MCA Colleges in Chennai | INR 45,000 PA |
| MCA Colleges in Coimbatore | INR 61,000 PA |
| MCA Colleges in Hyderabad | INR 1,50,000 PA |
| MCA Colleges in Delhi | INR 1,44,000 PA |
| MCA Colleges in Jaipur | INR 30,000 PA |
MCA Specialisations
MCA specializations offer candidates to pursue a career in software development, web development, or data analytics with knowledge of software development, database management, and computer networks. Some of the MCA course specializations that are available across Indian universities are:
- MCA in Cloud Computing
- MCA in Data Analytics
- MCA in Cyber Security
- MCA in Mobile Computing
- MCA in Management Information System
- MCA in Application Software
- MCA in Hardware Technology
| Compare MCA with MCM Course | Compare MCA with PGDCA Course |
Types of MCA Courses
The course has full-time, part-time, and distance learning options available to students. The following MCA course details are provided below:
|
Type |
MCA Course Eligibility |
MCA Course Duration |
|
Full-Time |
Should have passed bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50%+ Entrance Examination |
3 Years |
|
Part-Time |
Should have passed bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% |
3 Years |
|
Distance |
Should have passed bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% |
3-5 Years |
Distance MCA Course
Below listed are the MCA distance education course details:
- Distance MCA course is a three-year course that can be extended to 5 years depending on the coursework completion.
- The course can be pursued from prominent colleges like IGNOU, Jain University, TNOU, etc,
- Students can access course materials and lectures online, and interact with professors and peers through virtual classrooms and discussion forums.
- The average fees for distance MCA courses range from INR 20,000 - 60,000 PA.
MCA Subjects and Syllabus
The MCA course in India is divided into 6 semesters and includes core & elective subjects with classroom projects, seminars, and several other assessments. Listed below are some of the MCA subjects in the course:
| MCA Subjects | Topics Covered |
| Probability and Statistics | Sample space and events, Random Variables, Sampling distribution, test of Hypothesis, Curvilinear regression |
| Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science | Mathematical Logic, Relations, Elementary Combinatorics, Recurrence Relations, Graph Theory |
| Programming with C | Introduction to Programming, C Languages, Arrays, Functions, Structures, Basics of Files, Pointers |
| E-Commerce Syllabus | Introduction to Electronic Commerce, Electronic Payment Systems, Electronic Data Interchange, Corporate Digital Library, Consumer Search and Research Discovery |
| Computer System Architecture | Digital logic circuits, Register Transfer and Micro operations, Programming the basic Computer, Central Processing Unit, Program Control |
| Object Oriented Programming using C++ | Principles of OOP, Functions Prototyping, Constructors, Inheritance, Exception Handling |
Read More: MCA Subjects and Syllabus
Integrated MCA Course
Integrated MCA can be pursued by students after 10+2 (high school degree) completion. The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to create, manage, and maintain software applications and systems. The integrated MCA course duration is five years. The Integrated MCA courses can be in the following combinations:
- BCA+MCA
- B.Sc+MCA
- B.Com Computer Application +MCA
MCA vs MSc CS
MCA course is one of the most preferred postgraduate courses offered in India. However, there are some similar courses in the same area of study. The course comparison between the Master of Computer Applications and other programs has been discussed below.
The differences between MCA course and M.Sc in Computer Science (M.Sc CS) are given below:
| Parameters | MCA | M.Sc in Computer Science |
| Full Form | Master of Computer Applications | Master of Science in Computer Science |
| Duration | 3 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility | BCA or related field with 50% marks | B.Sc Computer science or related field |
| Average Fees | INR 30,000 PA - 2 LPA | INR 1 - 3 LPA |
| Top Colleges | NIT, JMI, JNU, MNNIT, BHU, LPU | SXC, IISc, JNTU, UoH, SJC |
Read More: MCA vs MSC CS
Courses After MCA
The scope for higher education after the MCA course increases the credibility of the individual's professional growth. Lucrative careers are one of the main reasons why many join the MCA course. However, if they feel the need to go for higher studies, they can opt for the same as well.
Some of the higher educational options after the MCA course duration are listed below:
Salary of an MCA Course Graduate
The average MCA salary offered in India is INR 3-10 LPA (Source: Payscale). The scope of salary is even higher as the individual applies for higher educational options after MCA. The scope for growth and development is immense in the IT industry, thereby ensuring individuals with certain key skills see a hike in their pay range. Listed below is the average MCA salary for different job roles:
| MCA Job Role | Average Salary |
| Hardware Engineer | INR 6.9 LPA |
| Technical Writer | INR 6.2 LPA |
| Data Scientist | INR 10.2 LPA |
| Junior Cloud Architect | INR 9.7 LPA |
| Database Engineer | INR 7.1 LPA |
Read More: MCA Salary in India
Career Options After Master of Computer Application
While conducting research into the MCA degree, one should look into the various career options the course offers. Listed below are some of the job roles that an MCA course graduate can join as a fresher:
- Software Engineer
- Troubleshooter
- Web Developer
- Technical Lead
- System Analyst
- Technical Writer
- Web Designer
- Software Application Architect
Read More: Career Options After MCA Course
MCA Scholarships
There are various scholarships available to computer science graduates in India offered by government and private organisations. The scholarships benefit students pursuing MCA course, BCA, or any computer science degree. Below is a list of scholarships available to students:
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship IIT Kanpur
- IIT Kharagpur Centre of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship
- IIT BHU Varanasi Department of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship
- IIT Indore Department of Computer Science and Engineering Junior Research Fellowship
- Albert Einstein International Scholarship Test
- Kingston University Postgraduate Scholarships
- ABV-IIITM Gwalior DST-SERB Junior Research Fellowship
- Google Scholarship
Skills That Make A Best MCA Course Graduate
The 3-year MCA course demands a lot of tedious effort to understand the theoretical tenets of the course. Along with the theoretical aspects, a practical approach is also necessary for an MCA course aspirant to be a well-wrought graduate.
Some of the skills that make one a reliable MCA course professional are listed below:
- Understanding of coding
- Programming skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Positive aptitude
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Expert in at least one programming language
- Communication skills
Also, Check: Complete List of MCA Government Jobs
Top MCA [Master of Computer Application] Colleges
Top Computer Entrance Exams
MCA Fee Structure
FAQs on MCA
Q: What is MCA Full Form?
A: MCA Full Form is Master of Computer Application.
Q: What is the eligibility for MCA course?
A: Minimum of 50% in BCA/B.Sc/B.Com/BA degree from a recognised Institution with Mathematics at the 10+2 level of graduation.
Q: What is MCA course duration and fees?
A: MCA course duration is 3 years with an average fee of INR 30,000 - 2 LPA.
Q: What is the MCA syllabus?
A: The MCA syllabus covers a wide range of topics related to computer science and applications. It covers topics including programming languages, database administration, software engineering, and web technologies, among others.
Q: What is the scope of MCA?
A: Candidates after MCA can find job opportunities in the public and private sectors in several industries, including banking, networking, IT enterprises, etc.
Q: Is MCA better than MBA?
A: The two degrees are totally different. MCA is concerned with computer science and programming, whereas MBA deals with business management and administration. The choice between the two degrees depends on students' career goals.
Q: What job opportunities are there after MCA?
A: An MCA graduate can work in various job roles such as system analyst, web designer, developer, business consultant, etc.
Q: What is the salary after MCA?
A: The average salary offered in India for MCA course ranges between INR 3-10 LPA.
