The BCA syllabus in Nepal changed in 2025. Tribhuvan University (TU) revised its Bachelor in Computer Application curriculum, and the new version applies to every student joining from the 2082 batch onwards. If you are planning to start BCA this year, this is the syllabus you will study.
This guide walks you through the full new TU BCA syllabus, semester by semester, with course codes, credit hours and elective options. It also covers the older 2074 syllabus for students in the 2081 batch and earlier, so current students can use it too.
In This Article
- BCA Syllabus at a Glance
- TU BCA Syllabus: Semester-wise Subjects
- BCA Elective Subjects
- Projects and Internship
- Evaluation System
- What Changed in the New Syllabus
- Old TU BCA Syllabus (2081 Batch and Earlier)
- BCA Syllabus at Other Universities
- Who Can Study BCA Under TU
- Career Scope Connected to the Syllabus
- Frequently Asked Questions
BCA Syllabus at a Glance
4 Years
Program duration
8
Semesters
4 + 1
Projects and internship
4
Electives in final year
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | Bachelor in Computer Application (BCA) |
| University | Tribhuvan University (TU) |
| Faculty | Humanities and Social Sciences (FOHSS) |
| Duration | 4 years, 8 semesters |
| Current syllabus | Revised curriculum, 2082 batch onwards |
| Practical work | 4 projects and 1 internship |
| Electives | 4 electives in the fourth year |
| Medium | English |
| Eligibility | +2 or equivalent in any stream |
ℹ️ BCA sits under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. That is why students from Science, Management, Humanities and other +2 streams can all apply.
TU BCA Syllabus: Semester-wise Subjects (New Curriculum)
Every TU-affiliated college follows the same BCA syllabus. What differs between colleges is the teaching quality, the lab facilities, industry exposure and which electives they run.
First Year: Semester I
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 101 | Computer Fundamentals and Applications | 3 |
| BCA 102 | Programming in C | 3 |
| BCA 103 | Digital Logic | 3 |
| BCA 104 | Mathematics I | 3 |
| BCA 105 | Professional Communication and Ethics | 3 |
| BCA 106 | Hardware Workshop | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Semester I is all about foundations. You learn how computers work, write your first programs in C, and get your hands on real hardware in the workshop. Take the C basics seriously, because almost every later programming course builds on them.
First Year: Semester II
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 151 | Discrete Structure | 3 |
| BCA 152 | Microprocessor and Computer Architecture | 3 |
| BCA 153 | OOP in Java | 3 |
| BCA 154 | Mathematics II | 3 |
| BCA 155 | UX/UI Design | 3 |
| BCA 156 | Principles of Management | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
Java now arrives in your first year, so object-oriented thinking starts early. UX/UI Design is one of the most useful additions. It teaches you to build software people actually enjoy using, not just software that runs.
Second Year: Semester III
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 201 | Data Structure and Algorithms | 3 |
| BCA 202 | Database Management System | 3 |
| BCA 203 | Web Technology I | 3 |
| BCA 204 | System Analysis and Design | 3 |
| BCA 205 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| BCA 206 | Applied Economics | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
Many students find Semester III the most demanding one. Data Structure and Algorithms is the subject job interviews test the most. Put it together with Database Management and Web Technology I, and you have the core skills behind most real-world applications.
Second Year: Semester IV
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 251 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| BCA 252 | Software Engineering | 3 |
| BCA 253 | Numerical Methods | 3 |
| BCA 254 | Python Programming | 3 |
| BCA 255 | Web Technology II | 3 |
| BCA 256 | Project I | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
Python replaces the old Scripting Language course and opens the door to data science and AI work later. Project I is your first team project, usually a small web or database application.
Third Year: Semester V
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 301 | Computer Network | 3 |
| BCA 302 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| BCA 303 | Advanced Java Programming | 3 |
| BCA 304 | MIS and e-Business | 3 |
| BCA 305 | Society and Technology | 3 |
| BCA 306 | Project II | 3 |
| Total | 18 |
Artificial Intelligence is now a core subject for every BCA student. Computer Network and Advanced Java prepare you for backend and systems roles.
Third Year: Semester VI
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 351 | Computer Graphics and Animation | 3 |
| BCA 352 | Mobile Programming | 3 |
| BCA 353 | Cryptography and Network Security | 3 |
| BCA 354 | Technical Writing | 2 |
| BCA 355 | Distributed System | 3 |
| BCA 356 | Project III | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
This is the semester where you build apps people can install on their phones. Mobile Programming often becomes the base for Project III. Technical Writing teaches you to document your work properly, a skill employers notice quickly.
Fourth Year: Semester VII
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 401 | Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| BCA 402 | Software Project Management | 3 |
| BCA 403 | Financial Accounting | 2 |
| BCA 404 | Project IV | 3 |
| BCA 405 | Elective I | 3 |
| BCA 406 | Elective II | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
Your specialisation begins here through your first two electives. Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking gives you hands-on exposure to how systems get attacked and how they are defended.
Fourth Year: Semester VIII
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BCA 451 | Cloud Computing | 3 |
| BCA 452 | Internship | 3 |
| BCA 453 | Elective III | 3 |
| BCA 454 | Elective IV | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
The final semester has a lighter course load because the internship takes up most of your time. You work inside a real organisation and report on what you did there.
BCA Elective Subjects in the New Syllabus
You choose four electives across Semesters VII and VIII. Pick them based on the career you want, not on which one sounds easiest. Each college decides which options it runs, so ask about this before you enrol.
| Elective Slot | Options | Good Fit For |
|---|---|---|
| Elective I | Machine Learning, E-Commerce, Database Administration, Linux | AI, online business, database and system administration |
| Elective II | DotNet Technology, Business Intelligence, Software Testing and Quality Assurance, Data Visualization | Enterprise development, analytics, QA |
| Elective III | Network Administration, E-Governance, Database Programming, Geographical Information System | Networking, public sector IT, GIS |
| Elective IV | Digital Marketing and SEO, Image Processing, Internet of Things, Data Mining and Data Warehouse | Marketing tech, computer vision, IoT, data |
💡 A simple way to choose your electives:
- Data and AI: Machine Learning, Data Visualization, Database Programming, and Data Mining and Data Warehouse make a strong set.
- Networking and security: combine Linux, Network Administration and Internet of Things.
- Business or marketing tech: E-Commerce, Business Intelligence, E-Governance, and Digital Marketing and SEO work well together.
Projects and Internship
Practical work runs through the whole degree. The new syllabus includes four projects and an internship.
| Component | Semester | Credits | What You Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project I | IV | 2 | A small team application using web and database skills |
| Project II | V | 3 | A larger system with proper design and documentation |
| Project III | VI | 3 | Often a mobile or distributed application |
| Project IV | VII | 3 | Your final-year project and strongest portfolio piece |
| Internship | VIII | 3 | A supervised work placement in an IT organisation |
Key point: treat every project as a portfolio item. Recruiters in Kathmandu often ask to see what you have built before they look at your grades.
Evaluation System
Theory courses combine internal assessment during the semester with a final examination conducted by TU. Practical work, projects and the internship are evaluated separately, with an external examiner present.
The revised syllabus gives more weight to continuous work such as assignments, lab reports and presentations. In simple terms, steady effort throughout the semester matters more than last-minute exam preparation.
What Changed in the New BCA Syllabus?
If you have an older sibling or friend in BCA, their subjects will look different from yours. Here is a quick side-by-side comparison.
| Area | Old Syllabus (2074 to 2081 Batches) | New Syllabus (2082 Batch Onwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Course codes | CACS, CAMT, CAEN and similar | BCA 101, BCA 102 and so on |
| Projects | 3 projects | 4 projects |
| Internship | Semester VII | Semester VIII |
| First programming course | C in Semester II | C in Semester I |
| Scripting | Scripting Language | Python Programming |
| New core subjects | Not included | UX/UI Design, AI, Discrete Structure, Hardware Workshop, Cryptography and Network Security, Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking, Software Project Management |
| Language courses | English I and II | Professional Communication and Ethics, Technical Writing |
| DotNet Technology | Core course | Elective option |
Overall, the new BCA syllabus shifts toward the skills the IT industry is hiring for today: AI, Python, security and design.
Old TU BCA Syllabus (2081 Batch and Earlier)
If you joined BCA in the 2081 batch or earlier, you continue with the 2074 curriculum. It carries 126 credit hours, divided like this:
| Course Group | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Computer Application | 71 |
| Social Science and Management | 15 |
| Projects and Internship | 13 |
| Electives | 12 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 9 |
| English | 6 |
| Total | 126 |
Courses carry 3 credits unless marked otherwise.
| Semester | Courses |
|---|---|
| I | CACS101 Computer Fundamentals and Applications (4), CASO102 Society and Technology, CAEN103 English I, CAMT104 Mathematics I, CACS105 Digital Logic |
| II | CACS151 C Programming (4), CAAC152 Financial Accounting, CAEN153 English II, CAMT154 Mathematics II, CACS155 Microprocessor and Computer Architecture |
| III | CACS201 Data Structures and Algorithms, CAST202 Probability and Statistics, CACS203 System Analysis and Design, CACS204 OOP in Java, CACS205 Web Technology |
| IV | CACS251 Operating System, CACS252 Numerical Methods, CACS253 Software Engineering, CACS254 Scripting Language, CACS255 Database Management System, CAPJ256 Project I (2) |
| V | CACS301 MIS and e-Business, CACS302 DotNet Technology, CACS303 Computer Networking, CAMG304 Introduction to Management, CACS305 Computer Graphics and Animation |
| VI | CACS351 Mobile Programming, CACS352 Distributed System, CAEC353 Applied Economics, CACS354 Advanced Java Programming, CACS355 Network Programming, CAPJ356 Project II (2) |
| VII | CACS401 Cyber Law and Professional Ethics, CACS402 Cloud Computing, CACS403 Internship, Elective I, Elective II |
| VIII | CAOR451 Operations Research, CAPJ452 Project III (6), Elective III, Elective IV |
BCA Syllabus at Other Universities in Nepal
TU is the largest BCA provider in Nepal, but it is not the only one. Pokhara University and Purbanchal University also run four-year, eight-semester BCA programs, each with its own syllabus.
| University | Duration | Project Work | Notable Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribhuvan University | 4 years, 8 semesters | 4 projects and an internship | Python, UX/UI Design, AI, Cyber Security |
| Pokhara University | 4 years, 8 semesters | 4 projects and an internship | C++, Visual Programming, Linux, Simulation and Modeling, PL/SQL |
| Purbanchal University | 4 years, 8 semesters | Projects in most semesters plus an apprentice project | Network Programming, e-Governance, Multimedia Application, Research Methodology |
Who Can Study BCA Under TU?
You can apply after completing +2, PCL or an equivalent qualification in any stream, as long as you meet TU’s minimum grade requirement. You also need to pass the BCA entrance exam conducted by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Mathematics in +2 is not compulsory. Still, being comfortable with numbers will help you in Mathematics I and II. You can read more about admission on our BCA program page.
Career Scope Connected to the BCA Syllabus
The subjects you study map directly onto real job roles in Nepal’s IT sector.
| Job Role | Subjects That Prepare You |
|---|---|
| Web Developer | Web Technology I and II, Database Management System, Python Programming |
| Mobile App Developer | OOP in Java, Advanced Java Programming, Mobile Programming |
| UI/UX Designer | UX/UI Design, Computer Graphics and Animation |
| Network or System Administrator | Computer Network, Operating Systems, Linux, Network Administration |
| Cyber Security Analyst | Cryptography and Network Security, Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking |
| Data or AI Associate | Probability and Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Visualization |
| QA Engineer | Software Engineering, Software Testing and Quality Assurance |
After BCA, you can also continue to master’s programs such as MCA, MIT or MBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many semesters are there in BCA in Nepal?
BCA in Nepal runs for four years across eight semesters. This applies to TU, Pokhara University and Purbanchal University.
Has the TU BCA syllabus changed?
Yes. TU introduced a revised BCA syllabus from the 2082 batch. It adds subjects like Python Programming, UX/UI Design, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking. Students from the 2081 batch and earlier continue with the old curriculum.
How many credit hours does the TU BCA have?
The old 2074 curriculum carries 126 credit hours. In the new curriculum, each semester carries between 12 and 18 credit hours, with the lightest load in Semester VIII because of the internship.
Which programming languages are taught in BCA?
The new syllabus covers C, Java, Advanced Java and Python, along with web development in Web Technology I and II. Depending on your electives, you may also learn .NET.
Is math required for BCA in Nepal?
No. TU accepts +2 graduates from any stream. The syllabus does include Mathematics I, Mathematics II, Discrete Structure, Numerical Methods, and Probability and Statistics, so expect some math along the way.
How many projects are there in the new BCA syllabus?
There are four projects, in Semesters IV, V, VI and VII, followed by an internship in Semester VIII.
Is the BCA syllabus the same in all TU colleges?
Yes. TU sets one common syllabus for all its affiliated colleges. Colleges differ in teaching quality, labs, industry links and the elective options they offer.
Is BCA harder than BSc CSIT?
BSc CSIT is heavier on mathematics and theory and requires a science background. BCA is more application-focused and open to all streams. The better choice depends on your background and the career you want.
- ✓ TU introduced a new BCA syllabus from the 2082 batch; earlier batches follow the 2074 curriculum.
- ✓ BCA runs for 4 years and 8 semesters, and students from any +2 stream can apply.
- ✓ The new syllabus adds Python, UX/UI Design, AI and Cyber Security as core subjects.
- ✓ You complete four projects and an internship, and choose four electives in your final year.
