After completing the 12th grade, students can enrol in various courses based on their interests. Typically, they begin in the first year of the course. However, another method of enrolling in a course is known as lateral entry.
This form of admission is for students who have completed a diploma program and are qualified to enter directly in the second year of a course. In this scenario, the student should have already mastered the fundamental concepts and hence, can skip the first year.
It is also important to understand that not all courses allow lateral admission. Select courses, such as BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application), allow BCA lateral admissions.
Overview of the BCA Lateral Entry course
| Particulars | Details | |
| 1 | Abbreviation | BCA (Lateral Entry) |
| 2 | Course Name | Bachelor of Computer Application (Lateral Entry) |
| 3 | Program Type | Undergraduate Program |
| 4 | Duration | 2 years |
| 5 | Eligibility | Computer Application Diploma with at least 45% marks. |
| 6 | Entrance Exams | IPU-CET, AIMCET, and others. |
BCA Lateral Entry Eligibility
Candidates who have completed a diploma program can apply for BCA Lateral Entry. It allows them to enter the BCA program in 2nd year. The candidate should have obtained at least 55% marks in their 12th class or diploma to be eligible.
Benefits of BCA Lateral Entry Admissions
Some diploma programs help students understand the basic ideas of the corresponding degree. For BCA, they are Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Computer Science Engineering (CSE) or Information Technology (IT).
Since these subjects cover the basics of the course, the student need not take admission to the first year of the course. These are some of the benefits of lateral entry admissions:
- The students are moved straight to the second year of the course, which is a major benefit.
- They can skip the first year, where the basic knowledge of the subject is covered.
- Unlike regular admission, a lateral entry has different qualifying rules. Sometimes, one may be required to take an entrance test.
- They need not pay the first-year fees as they are already in the second year.
- The students already have a diploma when they apply for admission through lateral entry.
Admission For BCA Lateral Entry
The BCA Lateral Entry admission process begins either with an entrance exam or is based on a merit list released by institutes in the online and offline modes. The entrance exams for BCA lateral entry include IPU-CET, TS ICET, AP ICET and others. The next step for those admitted based on entrance exams is participating in the counselling process or the personal interview round after successfully qualifying for the entrance exam.
Steps for Admission to BCA Lateral
To apply for BCA lateral entry, candidates should follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of the institute or the admissions office of the institute and fill out the application form for BCA lateral entry.
- Complete the application form as directed, and upload the necessary documents in the specified format.
- The final selection is made after a round of group discussion and personal interview (if applicable).
Syllabus for BCA Lateral Entrance
To prepare for the BCA lateral entry entrance exam, candidates should focus on 5 key topics:
- Quantitative Ability
- General Awareness
- Computer Knowledge
- General English
- General Intelligence and Reasoning
Documents Required for BCA Lateral Entry
The required documents for BCA Lateral Entry admission include the following:
- Marksheet and passing certificate of your Class 10 or 12 examinations or Diploma
- School leaving certificate
- Proof of date of birth
- Transfer certificate
- Character certificate
- Domicile certificate or residential proof certificate
- Provisional certificate
- Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or Other Backward Caste certificates (if applicable)
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
- Migration certificate.
Difference between BCA Lateral & BCA Direct
| Particular | BCA Lateral | BCA Direct | |
| 1 | Abbreviation | BCA(Lateral Entry) | BCA(Direct) |
| 2 | Course Name | Bachelor of Computer Application (Lateral Entry) | Bachelor of Computer Application (Direct) |
| 3 | Admission | After Diploma in 2nd Year | After 12th grade in 1st Year |
| 4 | Duration | 2 years | 3 years |
| 5 | Eligibility | Computer Application diploma with at least 45% of the total score. | 12th if your optional subjects are Physics, Chemistry, and Maths. In the case of commerce or arts, 50% marks or above in 12th, with English and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. |
| 6 | Entrance Exam | IPU-CET, AIMCET, and many more. | PESSAT, IPU CET, SUAT, AIMA UGAT, BUMAT
SET and LUCSAT etc. |
BCA Lateral Entry Colleges
- Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Pune
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is a Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET), which is then followed by a Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹6 Lakhs.
- Christ University, Bengaluru
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college on merit in their previous academic records.
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹4 Lakhs.
- Loyola College, Chennai
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is based on the merit of their previous academic records.
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹2 lakhs.
- Amity Institute of Information Technology
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is based on the merit of their previous academic records.
Course Fees and Average Salary: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹6 lakhs.
- Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is based on the merit of their previous academic records.
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹2.15 lakhs.
- Women’s Christian College, Chennai
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is based on the merit of their previous academic records.
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹8 lakhs.
- St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is based on the merit of their previous academic records.
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹9 lakhs.
- Madras Christian College, Chennai
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is based on the merit of their previous academic records.
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹75,000.
- Goswami Ganesh Dutta S.D. College Chandigarh
Selection Process: The selection process for admission to this college is based on merit in their previous academic records.
Course Fees: The tuition fee for the program is up to ₹95,000.
Conclusion
BCA Lateral Entry is the best way for students who have completed a diploma program & want to enter directly into the 2nd year of a BCA course. This admission method is beneficial as it allows students to skip the first year of the course, as they have already covered the basics during their diploma. Whether taking a lateral entry or starting from the beginning – the most critical factor remains the placement opportunity. To ensure you get the best job offers, upskill yourself with Sunstone. It is a higher education services provider offering 100% placement support with guaranteed interviews.