Aspiring young tech-savvy students desirous of pursuing their love for computers as a full-time career option, often get confused about their career choice while taking their baby steps into adulthood. This is because, most of the students are befuddled with the limitless options for programme and college that are available for them today.
But mainly, if you are a student who has passed 10+2 and has a deep passion for computers, BCA vs B.Tech might just be on your mind.
Nonetheless, it can be challenging to choose between the two since there are many similarities between BCA and B.Tech. To help students make an informed decision, let us differentiate the two programmes.
Basic Differences Between BCA vs B.Tech
§ BCA or Bachelor of Computer Application imparts knowledge about computer applications whereas BTech CSE trains students for computer engineering.
§ While a BCA graduate is a software programmer equipped with the knowledge of scripting as well as programming languages like C, C++, Java, HTML, PHP etc. a B.Tech graduate, on the other hand, has detailed knowledge of both hardware and software.
§ B.Tech. is a four-year undergraduate program, while BCA is a three-year undergraduate program.
§ BCA makes a student adept at the application level of computers, whereas B.Tech makes them proficient at the ‘technical’ level (Software, Hardware, applications, etc.)
§ For getting admission into B.Tech engineering, most students have to appear for the national level Joint Entrance Exam, popularly known as JEE. Almost every college requires clearing an entrance exam in the country.
§ BCA colleges, on the other hand, may or may not conduct entrance exams for BCA admissions. However, top colleges do conduct an entrance test comprising of simple questions to check students’ mental ability, vocabulary, arithmetic and logical reasoning.
§ Having cleared the entrance for B.Tech, a student can pursue any branch of engineering as per his/her interest from CSE, Mechanical, Electronics, Civil, Aerospace, Biotechnology, Food Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Information Technology, Automobile Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering or any other.
§ For admission in B.Tech programmes, along with JEE scores, students are required to score good grades in Intermediate or 10+2 with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics). While for BCA, students need to have secured good grades in any of the Arts/Science or Commerce streams.
The Essence of BCA Vs B.Tech Debate
The course content of B.Tech in Computer Engineering is centered around intensive programming, developing new technologies and concepts, and mathematical skills. CS Engineers develop concepts and test them.
In contrast, a BCA programme is basically designed to build programming skills for developing efficient and resource optimized software/website/cloud/mobile applications.
The study of putting these concepts to use is what constitutes the essence of the discipline of BCA. Put differently, it is essentially the integration of fundamentals from the basic Mathematics, Physics, & Management by applying of analytical thinking. In fact, both the programmes are fundamentally different not only in content, eligibility, and duration but also in terms of the career avenues they offer.
BCA Scope & Salary
A few of the attractive career prospects for BCA graduates can be discussed as hereunder:
§ Programmer: A programmer is a software engineer who creates computer software. He is a specialist in one area of computers or a generalist who writes code for many kinds of software.
§ Database Administrator: The role of Database Administrator may include capacity planning, installation, configuration, database design, migration, performance monitoring, security, troubleshooting, as well as backup and data recovery.
§ Application Developer: The role of an application developer is someone who creates, tests and programmes applications software for computers.
§ Systems Analyst: Applying analysis and design techniques to solve business problems using information technology is the job of a Systems Analyst. They may also act as change agents for organizational improvement.
§ Web Designer: A web designer’s primary role is production and maintenance of websites. They apply different skills and disciplines for it.
§ A career in Multimedia Applications: A career in multimedia involves audio, digital, print, video production. So it is that video editors, web designers, and illustrators all work in the multimedia field.
§ Graphic Designer: The role of a graphic designer is to promote visual communication and problem-solving by means of typography, photography design and illustration.
§ Content Manager: Content Managers are required to have a combination of writing and technical skills to ensure that the content for any platform is well-structured and meets the needs of its users by including all essential topics while being up-to-date and accurate.
§ Network Administrator: The role of a network administrator involves maintaining computer infrastructures with an emphasis on networking.
§ Business Analyst: The job of a business analyst (BA) is to analyze business organization or domain, both hypothetical or real. This includes documenting the business processes or systems, assessing the business model or its integration with technology.
§ DTP (Desktop Publishers): Their task is to create documents using page layout skills on a personal computer primarily for print. Desktop publishing software are able to generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images that can be compared to traditional typography and printing.
§ Entrepreneur: A person who is willing to work hard and is having adequate knowledge of the domain can consider setting up his own company. Preeminent colleges nowadays offer entrepreneurship launchpad where students can pitch their business ideas and get funding and training to pursue their startup dream.
Scope for Higher Studies after BCA
For better job prospects and to be labeled as an engineer, students can also opt for MCA or M.Sc. (IT) degree. Many students can also go for MBA degree after completing BCA to get a managerial knack. This combination of BCA and MBA will earn them better jobs in managerial positions in IT as well as banking, retail, airlines, or logistics.
If a student is interested in teaching in a school, he/she can go for a B.Ed. degree after BCA. Even if a student is a fresher, know that there are many IT companies as well as MNCs that hire fresh BCA graduates for various positions.
In addition, BCA offers an advantageous syllabus outline for programming enthusiasts who can supplement their knowledge with a master’s degree.
Prospects for B.Tech Graduates
§ Software industry openly welcome engineers. It has plentiful work related to coding (C/C++, Java,.net etc.), database, testing, etc.
§ In current times, PSUs like SAIL, ONGC, BHEL, IOCL etc. recruit engineers based on their GATE score. There are nearly 18 government sector companies hiring young engineers.
§ Engineers and technocrats are in great demand in IT firms, other private companies or government institutions that deploy IT systems and require professionals to manage them.
§ The engineers can also appear for competition for Bank officers, SSC exams, Indian Army through University Entrance Scheme (UES), and Air Force via Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)
§ Furthermore, if you are academically inclined, you can clear the CSIR UGC NET exam and take up a teaching job at any college or university. Then, of course, you can always take up a bright career in Civil Services as well.
Scope for Higher Studies after B.Tech
Engineering graduates can also go in for higher studies if they want. One can either go for M.Tech to enhance their technical skills or pursue an MBA. For admission into M.Tech, students will need to clear GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering). A degree in MBA definitely widens the scope for a career as a technocrat.
So, Are you Ready for Limitless Scope?
For aspiring IT professionals, this is the right time to pursue BCA or B.Tech CSE. The big reason for this is that, as per a recent NASSCOM and McKinsey report, the Indian Information Technology (IT) industry is poised to grow from $132 billion in 2014-15 to $225 billion by 2020. Indeed, it might touch $350 billion by 2025. Moreover, the report also shows that the first $100 billion will generate around two million jobs in the industry. The above cited programmes will make you ready to become a part of a robust and dynamic industry and eventually can help you to secure a highly paid job anywhere in the world.
In conclusion it can be said that, eventually the graduates of both the programs are professionally ready to take the plunge. And, although individually both the streams may be different, but both are good and offer great career opportunities for you to explore.
