MCA or MCS ?

This discussion is limited to BSc. Computer Science(formerly called BCS) graduate students who want to decide whether MCA or MCS is better post graduate course for them.

Course Design:

Pune University has designed MCS (now called MSc. Computer Science) course keeping in mind what they have already learnt in BCS. Whereas MCA course is designed for any graduate having maths background.

Course Duration:

MCS is 2 years (4 sem) course out of which last semester is Industrial training that gives you actual  working experience and this is better than just academic learning. Whereas MCA is 3 years course without industrial training.

In MCA you develop only 1 project that to in final year, where as in MCS you need to do one project per semester.  So finally on your resume you have 4 projects ( 3 sem MCS + 1 TY BCS)

Learning in the Course:

As MCA is 3 years course do we learn more than 2 years MCS course? NO, in MCA 1^st year we learn same thing what we have already learnt in BCS.  Compare syllabus of MCS and MCA to find out where will you learn more. MCS syllabus is more perfect for BCS.

As MCA again has Maths subjects, BCS student who already dislike maths should avoid going for MCA.

So MCA will be advisable to only those BCS students who are weak and want to make their foundation strong by learning few subjects once again.

Another point is, where do u learn more?  In college, or in industry???

You will get real knowledge when you start working. So enter in IT industry as soon as possible and start earning, get settle in life as early as possible.

Competition for Admission:

Only BCS students are allowed for MCS, whereas for MCA all graduates are allowed those who have maths background. So getting admission to MCA is more tough than MCS.

AS there is more maths in MCA entrance and no computer science questions, it will be more scoring for BSc-Maths  student than BSc- Computer science student. So, for BCS student getting admission one of the top MCA college is difficult as compared to BSc-maths  student.

Whereas for MCS admission they consider your BSc graduation marks(contribute 50% weightage ) along with MCS entrance marks. For MCS entrance exam there is computer science syllabus which makes it bit easy than MCA entrance exam which has more maths.

Growth after course :

In case of MCS you will start earning 2years after  BCS, where as in case of MCA you will start earning 3 years after BCS. As a result you are benefited in MCS  (1 year salary + 1 year work experience) In best case some students also get stipend or salary during their Industrial training(MCS 4^th sem)

Lets look at following table to understand how things will work in case of MCS and MCA

Time Line after BCS	MCS	MCA
2 semesters (year 1)	Study new	Study same as BCS
3rd sem (year 2)	Study	Study
4th sem	IT ( stipend) + NO study	Study
5th & 6th sem ( year 3)	Start Working (fresher)        (Salary  10k pm x12m =1.2L)	Study(-fees 50k)
Year 4	1 year exp                           (Salary  15k pm x12m =1.8L)	Start working (fresher)           (salary 12k pm X 12m =1.44L)
Year 5	2 years exp                         (Salary  20k pm x12m =2.4L)	1 year exp                          (Salary  17k pm x12m =2L)
:	:	:

MCA fresher may get starting salary more than MCS fresher as MCA passout are 18years educated (12+3  BCS+3 MCA) whereas MCS is only 17years educated. But this is wrong comparison as we are  comparing person with different age. (MCA is  1 year older than MCS) .  As shown in above table we should compare same person completing MCS or MCA, what will happen in different scenarios.

MCS pass out students will be always 1 year senior than MCA passouts. Every year MCS passout will be getting more salary than MCA passout as they are 1 year more experienced. If you add up all these yearly extra salaries it will be big amount.

Another point to observe is , in MCA final year student pays fees to college(+exam fees+books+classes) which will be saved in case of MCS. Money saved is money earned. So actual earning of MCS student in year 1 is  1.7L = 1.2L(salary)+50k(MCA last year fees saved)

Also growth wise, MCS passout will get all promotions 1 year earlier than MCA pass out as MCS passout  enters IT  1 year before MCA passouts.

 Conclusion :

For BCS(BSc.-Computer Science) graduates, it is recommended to go for MCS(MSc.-computer Science)  considering future growth in terms of experience, money and position.

Those who are still inclined on MCA course after BCS then read my another post    “When MCA is good for BCS student?”

[ Note: above discussion does not consider individual differences in various skills and abilities required for placement and job like communication skills, overall personality, logical thinking, etc..  Many a times people make mistake by comparing one MCA passout student with another MCS passout student. These two students have done different courses but we should also consider their individual strength/weakness as they are different individuals having different attitude, aptitude, IQ, emotional intelligence,  communication skills, smartness, etc… which also matters for placement and future career growth.  So whatever drawbacks you individually have will affect same for getting job irrespective of what course you have done(MCS/MCA)  ]

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