BSc Computer Science vs BCA: Significance and Opportunities

The field of IT has revolutionized modern society in an unprecedented way. Knowledge of computers is not only necessary but a vital key skill in today's society. Just like everything else, students are spoiled for choice. Students interested in a career in computers, come across the question, “Which course is better, BCA or BSC CS?”, at least once in their lives. Most students aren’t even aware of the difference between BCS CS and BCA courses. In this article, we’ll be providing you with a succinct analysis of the two courses, and help you choose the best option for you.

What is BCA?

BCA or Bachelor of Computer Applications is a three-year undergraduate course, pursued after completing 10+2. It deals mainly with equipping students with the knowledge of computer applications or computer languages, multimedia programs, etc. Students thinking to pursue BCA must have graduated from 12th grade, in any stream with a minimum of 45-50% aggregate marks.

What is BSC CS?

BSC (CS) stands for Bachelor in Computer Science, which is again an undergraduate course, mainly focusing on equipping students with basic concepts and key academic foundational skills in computer science. Students learn key control structures, disk operating systems, etc. Students thinking of pursuing BSC CS must have passed the science stream with physics, chemistry, and maths as compulsory subjects with the same aggregate marks.

Difference Between BCA and B.Sc Computer Science

The main difference between BCA and BSC CS courses lies in the area of focus of these respective courses: BCA focuses on applications of computers, while BSC CS, focuses on theoretical concepts.

Parameters	BCA Course	BSc. Computer Science
Degree	Bachelor of Computer Science	Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Course Duration	3 years	3 years
Area of Focus	Application of Computer Science	Core Concepts of Computer Science
Course Topics	Internet Technologies Word Processing Animation Programming Languages Database Management Computer Graphics Music and Video Processing System Analysis Accounting Applications	Basics of Computer Science Data Structures System Programming System Software Web Technology Python Programming Digital Electronics Operating system Computer Networks and many more
Average Course Fees	INR 2-3 lakhs per year	INR 20000-60000 per semester
Eligibility Criteria	Must qualify (10+2) level examination in any stream with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate	Must pass (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, An aggregate of a minimum of 50-60% is required
Admission Criteria	Merit or Entrance Exam Based	Merit/ Entrance Exam Based
Entrance Examinations	IPU CET SET GSAT CUET SUAT AIMA UGAT BUMAT	CUET
Job Roles	Computer Programmer Marketing Manager Teacher and Lecturer Finance Manager Software Developer Service Support Specialist Computer Support Specialist Business Consultant Computer System Analyst Game Designer	Software Engineer IT Supervisor Website Developer Data Analyst Program or System Analyst   IT Project Manager Network Engineer DTP Operator Pro Information Security Analyst Technical Writer System Administrator Software Tester
Top Recruiting Companies	Wipro Infosys TCS HCL	Google Microsoft CGI IBM Wipro Deloitte Infosys Cognizant HCL Tech Mahindra
Average Salary	4-8 lakhs per annum	6 Lakhs per annum

Admission Process of BCA and BSC CS

For BCA, admission can be on a merit basis (every college has a different guideline for the minimum marks necessary), or through entrance exams such as AIMA-UGAT (All-India Management Association- Undergraduate Aptitude Test), GSAT (GITAM University Admission Test), BUMAT (Bharti Vidyapeeth Undergraduate Management Aptitude Test), SUAT (Sharda University Admission Test), etc.

Universities open up their admission processes and provide application forms online in the months of May and June.

After that, universities then declare a cut-off list. Students who opt for merit-based admission and who fulfill the criteria are awarded a seat in that particular university. Other students must pass an entrance exam. Around 60% of marks in the entrance exam needed to be procured to gain admission to any university.

Top Entrance Exams and Guidelines

All India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE)-(JEE-Main): This is an entrance exam conducted by National Entrance Agency (NTA). It is computer-based and tests key aptitude skills. It is 3 hours long and is conducted twice a year. A student can attempt this paper a maximum of three times.

IIT-JEE MAIN (Advanced): is conducted by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi. It is for three hours and is conducted only once. Students can attempt for a maximum of two attempts.

Common Management Admissions Test (CMAT): is conducted by AICTE. It is an online computer-based test conducted for three hours by the National Testing Agency (NTA). AICTE has also started conducting this test in foreign countries for prospective NRIs interested in taking admission to the same courses.

Delhi University does not specifically conduct any entrance examination for admission to BSC or BCA.

Top BCA and BSc. CS Colleges and Their Fee Structure

Course Name	Top Colleges	Average Fees
Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA)	Amity Institute of Information Technology, Noida	6 Lakhs
	Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Pune	6 Lakhs
	Christ University	4 Lakhs
	Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore	2.15 Lakhs
	Loyola College, Chennai	2 Lakhs
	Stella Maris College, Chennai	1 Lakh
	Goswami Ganesh Dutta S.D College, Chandigarh	0.95 Lakh
	St. Joseph College Bangalore,	0.9 Lakh
	Women’s Christian College, Chennai	0.8 Lakh
	Madras Christian College	0.75 Lakh
B.Sc Computer Science	Delhi University, New Delhi	60, 000/-
	St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai	22,000/-
	Christ University, Bangalore	65,000/-
	Fergusson College, Pune	22,000/-
	Loyola College, Pune	1.65 Lakhs
	Vellore Institute of Technology	Rs 1.64 Lakhs
	Jodhpur National University, Jodhpur	75,000/-
	The Oxford College of Science, Bangalore	2,20,000/-
	Chandigarh University, Chandigarh	85,000/-
	Mithibai College of Arts, Mumbai	1,20,000/-
	Sacred Heart College, Kochi	1.11 Lakhs
	Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, Navi Mumbai	1.52 Lakhs
	DAV University, Jalandhar	30,000/- to 1,52,000/-
	Ranchi University	-

Scope for BCA and BSc CS

BCA holders have a good scope in IT companies as Web designers, Web developers, etc. The average salary of a BCA graduate can range from 18,000-25,000 INR/month prior to training. BCA, however, has no value or rather little value without MCA, which is in very high demand nowadays.

BSC CS holders can get around 6 lakhs/annum. Job profiles may include IT Programmer, Lecturer, Programme Analyst, Games Developer, Information Systems Manager, etc. Pursuing BSC Cs with the aim of studying MSC CS in the future. 

The recent development and the dependency of society on the IT sector have led to an all-time increase in the demand for computer science graduates, according to recent research. Multinational companies such as WIPRO, Cognizant, TSC, TechMahindra, WNS, Syntel, etc.

Which is Best BCA or BSc Computer Science?

Finally, to answer the question that began the article, ‘Which course is better, BCA or BSC CS?’

The choice will ultimately lie with the student. For a student seeking theoretical knowledge, which is purely academic based, one must choose BSC Cs, as it covers a wide range of topics, and provides a detailed approach to computer knowledge, or rather computer science. For a career in software development, computer applications, etc, BSC CS is a great choice. 

A student, looking to gain practical experience and a ready employment opportunity in the field of internet technology, right after graduation may opt for BCA instead. Since, it provides a better placement scope for the students than BSC CS, specifically in the field of database and management.

The opening up and improvement of the IT sector has led to a rush of multinational companies looking for fresh graduates equipped with the knowledge of computers and the power to develop applications and programs that answer the needs of future generations.