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Manavta
21 August, 2025
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Welcome to the Indira Gandhi National Open University. It is one of the most prestigious institutes of India for online and distance learning courses. IGNOU is often the first choice among learners seeking flexible learning courses. After 12th, the most in-demand courses are known to be the IGNOU BA, BCom, and BCA. These undergraduate courses cover the different areas of specialisation and cater to the varied interests of aspirants.
Consider this blog as a deep dive into the IGNOU BA vs IGNOU BCom vs IGNOU BCA. We have compared the essential features of all three undergraduate courses, such as fee structure, eligibility, duration, and more. Learn about the career options, average salary, and higher studies to consider for your future after selecting a course. So, let us get started!
IGNOU BA, BCom, and BCA are undergraduate programmes. Bachelor of Arts, or BA, covers the subjects of arts, humanities, and social sciences. On the other hand, IGNOU Bachelor of Commerce focuses on the areas of commerce, accounting, and finance. Moreover, enrolling in IGNOU Bachelor of Computer Applications provides you with exposure to the concepts of computer architecture, database, networking, and several programming languages. Keep reading to have a detailed comparison and make an informed decision for you.
Check out the essential characteristics of the IGNOU BA, IGNOU BCom, and IGNOU BCA courses. Explore in detail to get an in-depth understanding of the IGNOU top courses.
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), and Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) at IGNOU are three undergraduate courses. All of these programmes follow a course of three years. Within three years, you would be studying six semesters. Thus, the courses follow the same duration. Anyone with a time limitation can opt for any of these courses due to the same duration.
| Course | Details |
|---|---|
| IGNOU BA | 3 Years |
| IGNOU BCom | 3 Years |
| IGNOU BCA | 3 Years |
IGNOU BA subjects cover a variety of specialisations, including foreign languages and social sciences. However, the distance BCom and BCA mainly focus on the core syllabus and do not offer diverse specialisations. If you are seeking a career in polity, teaching, education sector, psychology or other arts, BA is an ideal course. If you are seeking job opportunities in finance and banking sector, they should opt for BCom. Besides, BCA is suitable for those with career aspirations in the Information Technology sector.
| Course | Specialisations |
|---|---|
| IGNOU BA | Economics / English / Hindi / History / Public Administration / Political Science / Psychology / Sanskrit / Sociology / Urdu / Education / Gender Studies / Facility and Services Management / Home Science / Journalism and Digital Media / Philosophy / Tourism Management / Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises |
| IGNOU BCom | Commerce & Finance |
| IGNOU BCA | Computer Applications |
Choice of the ideal course depends on your career goals. You can make a wise choice between IGNOU distance BCom, BA, and BCA when you understand your career goals better. Each of these courses opens your pathways to different career options. Here are the several in-demand career goals associated with each course. Explore them to understand which one aligns with your career objectives more.
| IGNOU BA |
Economist Teacher Public Relations Specialist Content Writer/Editor Translator |
| IGNOU BCom |
Financial Analyst Accountant Banker Tax Consultant Auditor |
| IGNOU BCA |
Web Designer Software Developer Back-end Developer Network Analyst Digital Marketer |
Indira Gandhi National Open University is known for ensuring top-quality education at an affordable price. Each of IGNOU’s distance and online courses is highly budget-friendly. Candidates with lower family income or financial constraints may make a decision based on the fee structure. Here it goes:
| Programme | Fees |
|---|---|
| IGNOU BA Fees | INR 14,400 (distance) |
| IGNOU BCom Fees | INR 14,400 (distance) / INR 12,000 (online) |
| IGNOU BCA Fees | INR 49,800 (distance) / INR 36,000 (online) |
Note: Apart from this, there shall be examination fees and development charges that may be applied.
IGNOU BCA, BCom, and BA courses have the same eligibility requirements to apply for the course. Satisfying the eligibility requirements is the minimum requirement by the university for admission to specific courses. Initially, IGNOU conducted a common entrance exam for admissions. Now, admission to IGNOU is done solely based on fulfilling the eligibility requirements. Here it goes:
| Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| IGNOU BA | You must have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board. |
| IGNOU BCom | 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board. |
| IGNOU BCA | 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised board OR Equivalent diploma and practice in the relevant discipline. |
Students often choose their careers based on the industry demands and potential salary packages in future. It is one of the best methods to analyse your career requirements and choose a course. The industry and prospective salary vary by career goals. We have already taken a look at the potential careers related to each role. Now, let us explore the prospective industries and average salary ranges for newcomers to experienced professionals.
| Course | Career Opportunities | Average Salary (LPA) |
|---|---|---|
| IGNOU BA |
Education Public Relations Media & Communication Social Services Tourism | INR 3 LPA – INR 6 LPA |
| IGNOU BCom |
Banking & Finance Accounting Insurance & Taxation Consulting E-commerce | INR 3.1 LPA – INR 7.2 LPA |
| IGNOU BCA |
Software & IT Cloud Computing Cybersecurity Data Analytics Data Science & AI | INR 3.2 LPA – INR 8 LPA |
Bachelor’s degrees are the first step in your career. However, higher studies and advanced qualifications are what help you climb the career ladder. Once you analyse your career goals, you can consider higher study options. Here are several further study options that you can consider after IGNOU BA, BCom, and BCA. Take a look:
| Course | Further Study Options |
|---|---|
| IGNOU BA |
Master of Arts (MA) Master of Business Administration (MBA) PG Diploma in Journalism/Mass Communication Bachelor of Education (BEd) LLB |
| IGNOU BCom |
Master of Commerce (MCom) Master of Business Administration (MBA) PG Diploma in Finance PG Diploma in Banking & Insurance Chartered Accountant (CA) Corporate Secretary (CS) |
| IGNOU BCA |
Master of Computer Applications (MCA) MBA in Information Technology (MBA IT) MSc in Computer Science PG Diploma in Data Science / AI / ML |
Whether it’s BA, BCom, or BCA, every course has its unique characteristics. Choosing the right one depends on your career goals, interests, and skills. Check out which course is ideal for your goals:
Choosing any course at IGNOU could be valuable for your career if it fulfils your career objectives. There are a variety of courses available at IGNOU across various disciplines. However, you must opt for the one that ensures further studies, job roles, and a future-proof career in your desired domain. IGNOU BA is available in a range of specialisations and is ideal for anyone who wants to be a teacher, PR specialist, journalist, or prepare for civil services. For computer and IT aspirants, enrolling in IGNOU BCA shall be the best choice. Meanwhile, IGNOU BCom must be your suitable option for finance and management careers. Take time, analyse your goals, explore the course structure, and make an informed decision.
BA, BCom, and BCA are considered the most in-demand courses at IGNOU. However, the best shall be the one that matches your career aspirations the better.
BA and BCom courses offer scope in different domains. Pursuing a BA is better for a career in the education sector, public relations, and civil services. BCom has a better scope in finance, accounts, marketing, and banking sectors.
Yes, IGNOU offers BCA in both distance and online learning formats. It is approved by UGC and has been recognised by AICTE. This ensures the quality curriculum of the IGNOU BCA programme. You may also get to be a part of the IGNOU campus placement cells for job opportunities.
IGNOU MA, IGNOU MBA, IGNOU MCA, IGNOU BEd, IGNOU BCA, IGNOU BBA, IGNOU MCom, and IGNOU BCom are several the best courses for job opportunities, among others.
Yes, IGNOU distance and online degrees are recognised by UGC, AICTE, and AIU. These recognitions make your degree legitimate and approved by the government of India. It holds value in universities for higher studies and prestige among employers for job roles.
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