BA vs BCA: What’s best for you

Looking for the right stream of study after completing Class 12? You have many options to choose from, based on your interests and preferences. In this blog, we will compare BA and BCA degrees – the two most popular study options students choose for undergraduate courses. Both the degree programs have their own benefits and future career prospects. 

Online BA courses are offered by Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), and online BCA programs are offered by Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ). Both these courses are offered in online mode on the Online Manipal platform. In the blog, we will highlight some key decision factors for BA vs BCA courses to help you make a well-thought-out decision. 

What is BA?

Before comparing the two Bachelor’s degrees for better understanding, let us briefly discuss each course individually. BA or Bachelor of Arts is ideal for students interested in gaining expertise in multiple areas. The course provides a foundation for the graduates to find suitable employment in government jobs or start their businesses after completing a BA degree. 

Additionally, students can choose to specialize in a particular domain of online BA programs Sikkim Manipal University offers with combinations of English, Sociology, and Political Science. Students can then opt for suitable career options based on their specialization. BA courses are generally three years long.

What is BCA?

BCA stands for Bachelor of Computer Applications and aims to provide the basic foundational skills in the field of computer science. The course is generally preferred by students keen on entering the Information Technology (IT) industry. The curriculum is so designed that students gain a complete understanding of the latest technologies in the computer and programming arena. Moreover, BCA prepares students for rewarding careers in computer programming, coding, and other domains of the IT sector. The BCA offered by Manipal University Jaipur is online and lasts 3 years. 

Eligibility criteria: BA vs BCA

After understanding the basics of BA and BCA courses, let us move on to a comparative analysis. Many factors can help in choosing the right undergraduate program: BA vs BCA. One of them is the entry requirements for each of the courses. These can help you determine whether or not you are eligible to apply to the program in the first place. In most cases, the eligibility criteria of BA and BCA courses can also help students choose the relevant stream of study at the 10+2 level. 

An online BA program offered by Sikkim Manipal University on the Online Manipal platform requires students to complete their 10+2 or class 12 (as the case may be). Only after they qualify for this level of study from a recognized national or state board are they eligible to apply for the BA courses offered by the university. Alternatively, a 10+3 diploma from a recognized national or state-level study institution is also acceptable for admission to online BA programs by Sikkim Manipal.

As for online BCA courses that Manipal University Jaipur offers, the eligibility criteria for domestic (Indian) and international students vary. Both sets of criteria are listed below for easy reference:

Eligibility parameters	Domestic students (India)	International students (outside India)
Educational qualifications	Completion of 10+2 from a recognized national/state board 10+3 diploma from a recognized national/state study institution	10+2/intermediate/senior secondary schooling in any subject from a recognized board, or equivalent overseas qualification recognized by the Association of Indian Universities   10+2/graduate level of study overseas with a Certificate of Equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities
Grades	Minimum 45% marks obtained in 10+2 or diploma (40% marks in case of reserved student category)	Minimum 45% aggregate secured in 10+2/intermediate/senior secondary education Submission of relevant documents required for the application process by applicants who are not Indian citizens or live outside India

BA course curriculum

The course content for both BA and BCA courses can also help gauge your interest as well as your preference for each program. Based on the course curriculum that you find relevant for your future career path, you may opt for online BA or BCA courses at Online Manipal. The online BA course offered by Sikkim Manipal University is available with a combination of 3 subjects – Sociology, English, and Political Science – and is divided into a total of 6 semesters covered over 3 years. Listed below is the curriculum designed for the online BA program by Sikkim Manipal:

Semester	Curriculum for BA with English	Curriculum for BA with Sociology	Curriculum for BA with Political Science
1	Foundations of Political Science, Indian English Literature, Natural Science, Communicative English, Introduction to Sociology	Indian English Literature, Introduction to Sociology, Natural Science, Foundations of Political Science, Communicative English	Indian English Literature, Foundations of Political Science, Natural Science, Introduction to Sociology, Communicative English
2	Political Theory, World Literature, Environmental Science, Functional English, Sociology in India	World Literature Sociology in India, Environmental Science, Political Theory, Functional English	World Literature, Political Theory, Environmental Science, Sociology in India, Functional English
3	Comparative Political Analysis, Essays and Poetry, Digital Fluency, Universal Human Values, Rural Sociology	Essays and Poetry, Rural Sociology, Digital Fluency, Comparative Political Analysis, Universal Human Values	Essays and Poetry, Comparative Political Analysis, Digital Fluency, Rural Sociology, Universal Human Values
4	Women Writing in English, New Literature in English, Urban Sociology, Literary Terms, Forms, and Movements, Classical Indian Political Thought	Principle of Sociology, Urban Sociology, New Literature in English, Family, Kinship, and Marriage, Classical Indian Political Thought	Political Economy, Classical Indian Political Thought, New Literature in English, Theories of International Relations, Urban Sociology
5	Children’s Literature, Victorian and Modern Literature, Social Problems in India, Poetry: Evolution, Elements and Genres, Human Rights	Social Demography, Classical Sociological Thinkers, Children’s Literature, Social Problems in India, Human Rights	Human RightsPolitical Processes in IndiaChildren’s LiteratureIndia’s Foreign Policy in a Globalized WorldSocial Problems in India
6	Novels and Short StoriesAmerican LiteratureSociology of Change and DevelopmentOne Act Plays: Introduction & StudiesUnited Nations and Global Conflicts	Social Movement in India, Sociology of Change and Development, American Literature, Sociology of Education, United Nations and Global Conflicts	Gender and Politics, United Nations and Global Conflicts, American Literature, Public Policy and Administration in India, Sociology of Change and Development

BCA course curriculum

While differentiating BA and BCA programs, it would also be helpful to take a detailed look at the course content of BCA programs. The table below lists the curriculum of online BCA programs offered by Manipal University Jaipur on the Online Manipal platform. The course is also offered for a total of 3 years covered over 6 semesters:

Semester	Curriculum
1	Basic Mathematics, Fundamentals of IT and Programming, Practical – Programming in C, Programming in C, Understanding PC and Troubleshooting
2	Object-Oriented Programming C++Operating Systems, Practical – Data Structures and Algorithm Using C++Data Structures and Algorithms, Communication Skills and Personality Development, Digital Logic
3	Computer Organization, Computer-Oriented Numerical Methods, Practical – DBMS, Basics of Data Communication
4	Principles of Financial Accounting and Management, Java Programming, Computer Networking, System Software, Practical – Java Programming
5	Visual Programming, Web Design, Software Engineering, Practical – Web Design, Practical – Visual Programming, Elective 1 – Graphics and Multimedia/Compiler Design/E-commerce (choose any 1)Practical – Python Programming, Python Programming
6	Mobile Application Development, Project, Elective 2 – Open Source Systems/Advanced Web Design/Cloud Computing (choose any 1)Elective 3 – Software Project Management/Knowledge Management/Supply Chain Management (choose any 1)Practical – Mobile Application Development

Top jobs to explore after BA

A significant differentiating factor between BA and BCA courses is the job prospects both programs create upon course completion. The table below details the top 5 careers that are possible after pursuing an online BA from Sikkim Manipal University, along with their approximate corresponding salaries:

Expected job role	Approx annual salary
Campaign Manager	INR 5 lakh – INR 11 lakh per annum
Public Relations Specialist	INR 591,795 per annum
Policy Analyst	INR 9,11,345 per annum
Urban Planner	INR 5.4 lakh per annum
Teacher	INR 5,60,000 per annum

Top jobs to explore after BCA

Students completing online BCA courses from Manipal University Jaipur are likely to find the following jobs after graduation. The expected job roles along with the average annual salaries estimated for these positions are shared in the table below:

Expected job role	Approx annual salary
Software Developer	INR 5 lakh – INR 13 lakh per annum
Quality Assurance Analyst	INR 4,48,881 per annum
Technical Writer	INR 7.85 lakh per annum
System Analyst	INR 14,00,000 per annum
Web Developer	INR 600,000 per annum

How to choose between BA and BCA?

In this blog, we covered many areas highlighting the key differences between BA and BCA programs – both offered at the undergraduate level. The eligibility criteria, course curriculum, and career prospects for both courses are likely to be different. This helps us narrow down our choice to any one program based on our interests and career goals.

To summarize, it can be deduced that BA is a more generic study program covering multiple study areas. However, the course does provide scope for specialization in any one area. It also opens up wider career opportunities for graduates.

On the other hand, a BCA program is a more technical and professional course specifically aimed at students interested in a career in computers and programming. The course’s career potential and salary rewards are also different from those expected in BA programs. All of these are considerations when deciding between BA and BCA courses to be pursued on the Online Manipal platform.

Conclusion

Both BA and BCA programs, irrespective of which one you choose, are readily available on the Online Manipal platform. The courses can conveniently be pursued from the comfort of your home at a pace that best suits you. Moreover, both Sikkim Manipal University offering BA and Manipal University Jaipur offering BCA programs are NAAC-accredited universities, and their program offering is entitled by the UGC.