Online MCA General

While technical courses in the IT domain like BCA and MCA remain popular, many students are confused when it comes to selecting a specialization area for the same. A general MCA program in the fully online or ODL mode has been designed to meet this need of students by providing them with knowledge about the various important areas of computer applications throughout the degree period. 

This online General MCA program is a 2-year degree at the postgraduate level and can be taken up by students or working professionals who have either completed their Bachelor’s in a relevant stream or in any stream but with Mathematics at the 10+2 level. Ideal for both working professionals and freshers, this MCA online has an industry-oriented but theoretically strong curriculum that focuses on developing both the practical skills and knowledge of the students.

Key Highlights of Online General MCA

• UGC-DEB has provided its approval to a General MCA course to be delivered either in the online mode. Hence, this degree holds equal value to any regular MCA when completed from a duly approved university. 
• This is a PG degree course and can only be taken up by those who have already completed their undergraduate education. 
• The course has a duration of 2 years which is divided into 4 academic semesters of 6 months each. Students get a maximum of 4 years to complete all the courses in this program. 
• This general MCA program does not specialize in one domain of computer applications and rather covers a broad number of key areas in the field so graduates can explore all available career options. 
• The course includes many subjects such as data structures, algorithms, software engineering, programming languages, etc. 
• There are practical learning sessions and practice sessions as well as theoretical lecture classes included in this course. 
• The average fee range for this course can vary between INR 60,000 to INR 1,50,000 for the entire course. The exact fee would depend upon the university you select.   

Subjects of Online General MCA

This online program includes 4 semesters spread across 2 years. This is a general MCA course, and it includes many subjects about computer applications and IT.  The exact course curriculum for an online MCA program will vary from one university to another, but some of the common and most important subjects have been mentioned here for your reference. 

• Advanced-Data Structures and Algorithms 
• Software Engineering
• Database Management System 
• Programming Languages like Python, Java, etc. 
• Operating Systems 
• Foundational Mathematics for Computer Applications etc. 

Eligibility Criteria for Online General MCA

This is a postgraduate degree course and can be taken up by graduates. Most of the universities that offer this online General MCA course do not conduct any entrance exams for admission. 

Admissions are based directly upon the eligibility conditions. The general eligibility that the candidate must meet to apply to this course is: 

• Candidate should at least be a Graduate from a Recognised University/Institute
• Candidate should have studied BCA/ B.E./ B.Sc (Computer Science)/Any Bachelor but with Mathematics at the HSC or Graduation Level 
• Candidate must have at least secured 45% to 55% Aggregate Marks in Graduation

Duration of Online General MCA

Being a PG course, this online General MCA is of a duration of 2 years, which are further divided into 4 semesters. Students in the online mode of education get 2 additional years to complete all the courses in the program. So, a maximum period of 4 years is provided to the students to complete this course. 

Fees for Online General MCA

While the exact fee for this course will vary from one university to another, the average fee for a General MCA in the online mode is lower than that in the regular mode. As a result, a larger number of students can seek admission to this course and complete their higher education. 

The average fee range for this online program is INR 60,000 to INR 1,50,000 for the entire course. Most universities offer a no-cost EMI mode of payment in which students can pay the fee on a semester basis or a yearly basis. Some universities also extend other financial support features such as educational loans, fee concessions, and scholarships to students. 

Other Online MCA Specializations

Career Opportunities after Online General MCA

An online General MCA program can be beneficial for career development since this course provides holistic knowledge to students across a variety of domains of computer applications rather than focusing on one specialization area. As a result, career options related to multiple IT fields are available to be explored by the graduate. 

With the daily rising demand for qualified professionals in the IT domain and technological fields, General MCA graduates are paid handsomely even at entry-level positions. They can secure a salary package anywhere between INR 6 LPA to INR 15 LPA after completion of this course.

Here we have listed some of the top job roles that online General MCA graduates can apply to:

• Software Developer 
• Database Engineer 
• IT Architect 
• Systems Analyst 
• Cloud Architect 
• Web Developer 
• Software Consultant etc.

Top Hiring Firms for Online General MCA Graduates