We receive several queries from MCA (Master of Computer Applications) aspirants on a regular basis. Some wonder about whether they are eligible for MCA admissions while others wonder what academic pursuits and career trajectories they might take after completing the program.
This post aims to be a lighthouse – guiding you through the seas of doubt and uncertainty – and providing you with all the clear, concise answers you need.
Can MCA be done after BA?
Yes, MCA can be done after BA. The eligibility criteria for admission to an MCA program may vary from university to university, but it is generally required that candidates have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks. Some universities may also require candidates to have a background in mathematics, either at the 10+2 level or in their undergraduate degree.
MCA aspirants should make sure that they have a strong foundation in mathematics and computer science. If necessary, they can take some bridge courses before applying for mCA admissions.
Besides software developer, web developer, database administrator, system analyst, and IT consultant, those who have done Master of Computer Applications after Bachelor of Arts can also opt for jobs like writers, social media managers, video editors, instructional designers or e-learning developers, and even program managers or development directors in the nonprofit sectors.
Can MCA be done after B.Com?
Yes, MCA can be done after B.Com. In fact, many students who graduate from B.Com programs choose to pursue an MCA degree in order to gain the technical skills and knowledge they need to enter the IT industry. If you do not have Math in 10+2 or your undergraduate program, you may need to take bridge courses to be eligible for the MCA program.
Career prospects for MCA graduates with B.Com as their undergraduate degrees include positions like:
- financial analysts or risk managers in the banking & finance sector;
- accountants or auditors;
- digital marketers or social media marketers; and
- healthcare analysts or health informatics specialists.
Can MCA be done after B.Sc (Bio)?
If you did B.Sc with Biology and wish to take admission in Master of Computer Applications program, it is possible. If they do not have a background in mathematics at the 10+2 or undergraduate level, you can always take bridge courses in computer science and mathematics to help you get up to speed.
MCA aspirants with Bio background can not only try for traditional IT jobs but also tech jobs (that require both biology and computer science backgrounds), such as in bioinformatics, medical informatics, or systems to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery – once they complete the program successfully.
Can MCA student do M.Tech?
In India, many universities and institutes offer M.Tech programs specifically for MCA graduates in fields like:
- Software Engineering
- Information Technology
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Cloud Computing
In most cases, you are required to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field with at least 50% marks. You also need a valid GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) score to be eligible to apply for M.Tech programs in India.
Top engineering institutes, including IITs, NIT, IISc Bangalore, and BITS Pilani, allow you to do M.Tech after MCA if you meet all other eligibility criteria.
Can I do a CA after an MCA?
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) only requires you to have cleared Class 12 exam for appearing in the CA Foundation exam – the entry-level exam for the CA course. You can register for the CA Foundation course online on the ICAI website. You need to clear this exam (which is held twice a year – in June and December).
As an MCA graduate, you can skip this step and directly move on to the next step through the Direct Entry Scheme (for which you need at least 55% in your Bachelor’s degree) – which is to join the CA Intermediate course. In this case, CA aspirants will need to complete a compulsory 4-month Integrated Course on Accounting Knowledge (ICITSS) before you can start your article ship.
The steps you need to follow will be:
- Enroll in the CA Intermediate course. This is a 2-year course that covers a wide range of topics related to accounting, finance, taxation, and auditing.
- Pass the CA Intermediate exam. This exam is held twice a year, in May and November.
- Do the 4-month Integrated Course on Accounting Knowledge (ICITSS) course (if you opt for the Direct Entry Scheme).
- Complete your article ship. This is a 3-year period of practical training that must be completed under the supervision of a chartered accountant.
- Pass the CA Final exam. This exam is held twice a year, in May and November.
- Apply for membership of the ICAI. Once you have passed the CA Final exam and completed your article ship, you can apply for membership of the ICAI. After your membership is approved, you will become a chartered accountant.
Can MCA apply for PhD?
MCA graduates can apply for PhD programs in Computer Science and related fields. Some universities may also require candidates to have a valid GATE score.
The GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is a national-level examination that is conducted every year to assess the suitability of candidates for admission to postgraduate engineering programs. A good GATE score can give you a competitive edge when applying for PhD programs in India.
You can also do PhD after MCA in most popular fields, like:
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Computer Applications
- Software Engineering
- Data Science
- Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Cloud Computing
- Bioinformatics
- Computational Linguistics
- Image Processing
- Natural Language Processing
- Robotics
- Vision Science
If you have completed Master of Computer Applications, you can also opt for PhD in interdisciplinary fields like:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Information Systems
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Statistics
Can MCA student apply for GATE?
Yes, MCA students can apply for the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam. In fact, many MCA students take the GATE exam in order to pursue a Master of Technology (M.Tech.) degree or to get a job in a research and development (R&D) role.
The GATE exam is a national-level examination conducted every year by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in three different streams:
- Engineering Sciences (XE),
- Computer Science and Information Technology (CS), and
- Life Sciences (XL).
MCA students can apply for the GATE exam in the Computer Science and Information Technology (CS) stream. The CS stream covers topics, such as:
- Data structures,
- Algorithms,
- Computer organization,
- Operating systems,
- Software engineering, and
- Database management systems.
Can MCA teach B.Tech?
Yes, teaching in engineering colleges is one of the career prospects for MCA graduates that you can opt for. Many of our MCA passouts are employed as faculty members in engineering colleges and universities across India.
According to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the apex body that regulates technical education in India, MCA graduates with a minimum of 55% marks can teach B.Tech. students in the fields of computer science and information technology.
However, there are some restrictions on them. MCA graduates cannot teach engineering mathematices to B.Tech students. Also, they cannot teach final-year B.Tech students. However, if they pursue PhD later on, they can become eligible for teaching final-year engineering students.
Can MCA student get job in Google?
Yes. Google hires candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including MCA. However, Google is quite competitive. So, MBA aspirants should work hard to develop:
- strong technical skills in computer science and mathematics,
- critical thinking and problem solving skills, and
- good communication and team-working skills.
You might want to pay special attention to:
- data structures and algorithms,
- object-oriented programming,
- software engineering principles, and
- programming languages like Java, Python, or C++.
You should also work to develop a strong portfolio of projects, including school projects, personal projects, and open source contributions.
Can MCA student apply for ISRO?
While MCA students are not eligible for the ISRO Scientist/Engineer (SC) post, they can apply for the positions of Software Engineer, Web Developer, or Database Administrator.
For the SC post, one requires a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines:
- Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
Conclusion
In short, if you are interested in the field, you can go for this postgraduate degree program – irrespective of what degree you opted for you at the undergraduate level. MCA degree offers versatile career paths and academic prospects – allowing graduates to explore IT roles as well as several interdisciplinary fields, like finance, education, and health.
