MCA stands for Master of Computer Applications. It is a two-year postgraduate program that focuses on computer applications. The course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills that are required to develop and implement computer applications. MCA is a popular choice for students who want to pursue a career in the IT industry. MCA course allows candidates to develop computer skills which are in great demand across various IT and Software companies. Moreover, it is designed to meet the shortage of qualified professionals in the IT (Information Technology) industry in India.
It is a sought-after course after completing BCA which allows candidates to work as IT consultant, Database Engineer, Social Media Handler, and in various other positions. MCA can provide a candidate with in-depth knowledge of programming languages, software development, database management, and computer networks. MCA graduates can find jobs in various sectors, including software development, IT consulting, banking, finance, and insurance. The average starting salary for an MCA graduate in India can range from INR 5.4 LPA.
To be eligible for MCA course, the candidate should have completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science or in a related field with mathematics as a subject. Some top entrance exams for MCA are NIMCET, IPU CET MCA, MAH MCA CET, and TANCET. The top colleges that provide MCA course are Amity University, Christ University, Chandigarh University, Shoolini University, Madras Christian College, Jain University.
MCA Course Details: Highlights
Candidates can check key points related to highlights of MCA course such as course level, duration, course fees, entrance examinations, average salary, top recruiting companies, top colleges etc. in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Master of Computer Applications |
| Course Level | Post graduation |
| Eligibility | BCA with minimum 55% marks and entrance examination |
| Duration | 2 year (4 semesters) |
| Examination Type | Semester-wise |
| Course Fee | INR 432 to INR 7 Lakh |
| Top Colleges | Amity University, Christ University, Chandigarh University, Shoolini University, Madras Christian College, Jain University |
| Average salary | INR 4 to 7 lakh |
| Job Positions | Software Developer, Systems Analyst, IT Consultant, Network Engineer |
| Entrance Exam | OJEE, KMAT, CUET, NIMCET |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Accenture, Cisco Systems, Alcatel, BSNL, Amazon |
MCA Eligibility Criteria
Candidates can find below the minimum educational qualifications, marks and age requirements in the table given below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| MCA Academic Qualifications | Completed BCA or BSc or BCom or BA degree
Should have studied Mathematics as one of the graduation subjects. |
| MCA Marks criteria | Minimum 50% to 60% marks or 6 CGPA in graduation
Minimum 55% marks in 12th standard |
| MCA Age Limit | There is usually, no age limit |
| MCA Work Experience | Some colleges may ask for at least 2 years of work experience in relevant field. |
MCA Career Scope and Job Profiles
There is no dearth of lucrative job opportunities for MCA graduates. A candidate with a master’s degree in computer applications along with the right amount of relevant work experience, skill set and calibre can easily find great job opportunities at leading IT firms (both private and government) across India and abroad. Some of the top job profiles for MCA graduates are given in the table below.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary in INR |
|---|---|---|
| App Developer | App developers are individuals designing, building and maintaining mobile application for android, iOS, windows, blackberry platforms etc. | 6- 8 LPA |
| Business Analyst | A Business analyst typically mentors people aiming to start a business of their own. | 8- 10 LPA |
| Database Engineer | Database engineers are hired by computer systems companies with an aim to design and monitor complex databases. | 7- 9 LPA |
| Ethical Hacker | Ethical hackers are experts who access a network or computer system on behalf of its owner to uncover security vulnerabilities that a malicious hacker could possibly exploit. | 8- 10 LPA |
| Hardware Engineer | Hardware engineers install and test systems to ensure proper functioning of the internet. | 6- 8 LPA |
| Social Media Handler | Companies hire social media specialist to handle their popularity and presence amongst people through the virtual world. | 5- 6 LPA |