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What is BCom?
BCom is a 3-year undergraduate course that deals with principles of Accounting and Finance. Those who have completed their higher secondary education (10+2) from a recognized board with at least 50% academic aggregate (5% relaxation for reserved categories) are eligible to apply for this course.
As the name implies, the course equips a student with a bachelor’s degree in commerce stream. Although the course is referred to as more academic in nature rather than professional, BCom graduates are quite usually placed at Banking and other related sectors after graduation.
Students can pursue this undergraduate program in either regular or distance mode of education. Several colleges offering BCom distance education include - IGNOU, SOL DU, TNOU, Annamalai University, etc.
BCom admissions are generally fulfilled on the basis of marks scored by a candidate in 10+2, however, some colleges admit students to the course based on their marks in national or state level entrance exams like IPU CET, DUET, BHU, etc.
The course includes 30+ specializations, all designed for better career prospects and salaries. Some of the best BCom specializations include -
- Accounts and Finance
- Taxation
- Economics
- Computer Applications
The BCom syllabus is apportioned among six semesters and covers topics such as corporate tax, economics, financial law, etc. Some of the other subjects are selected by a candidate from the given choice of electives. The course curriculum may vary as per the university/college/institution, however, it generally consists of two language papers along with a few basic subjects in the initial semesters and some core subjects in the remaining semesters. BCom mainly focuses on topics related to finance and accounting, such as -
- Corporate Tax
- Economics
- Company Law
- Auditing
- Business management
The course fee for admission to best BCom colleges in India can range anywhere from INR 20,000 to 50,000 per annum.
Known as the most preferred academic course (after BA and BSc), BCom aims to enhance a student's subject knowledge in commerce related domains. After successful completion of the program, students can either go for professional courses like MBA or PGDM or pursue respected masters degrees like MCom and thereafter often choose to enroll in Ph.D. programs via clearing NET, JRF, or SET exams and become professors and research scholars in their respective subjects and specialization.
Furthermore, there are different types of BCom courses like BCom General, BCom Honours, and BCom LLB. Students can choose the field of their choice and select the subjects accordingly from the given list of electives.
BCom Course Highlights
| Course Stream | Commerce |
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| Total No. of Enrollments (2019) | 40,30,000+ |
| Top Specializations | Accountancy, Banking, Computer Applications |
| Duration of the Course | 3 years |
| Eligibility | 10+2 from any recognized educational board with Maths and English as core subjects |
| Average Course Fee (per annum) | INR 20,000 - 50,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3 to 10 LPA |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, ICICI Bank, TCS |
| Job Positions | Accountant, Tax Assistant, CA, Actuary, Bank PO |
Why should you choose BCom?
BCom stands at third place among the most sought after academic courses of all time. Nowadays, most of the students opt for a B.Com course because of the following reasons:
- Various Career Options: BCom graduates get plenty of career options to choose from. The options range from pursuing a professional course like CA and CS to opting for higher education options such as PGDM or MBA.
- Diverse Job Opportunities: After graduation students get the opportunity to work in sectors like accounting, auditing, tax advisory services, financial services, commercial banking, and many more. BCom offers various job profiles and job areas where a person can work after completing their degree. Some notable designations are - accountant, operations manager, financial analyst, account executive, etc.
- Higher Salary: Due to various job profiles and job areas to choose from, you will be able to earn a decent salary package. The salary may vary from domain to domain. Moreover, if you have any previous experience then that will definitely help you in getting a lucrative pay opportunity. The average salary will be around INR 4.44 to 7 LPA.
- Variety of Industries: A BCom student gets a chance to explore various industries like - Banks, Advertising Firms, Corporates, Consultancy, Hotels, Sales and Marketing, Human Resource, Foreign Trade etc. after graduation.
- Top Recruiters: Students with a Bachelor of Commerce degree get the opportunity to work with several top companies like EY, ICICI Bank, Microsoft, Mc Kinsey and Company, IBM, Nestle, Sony, Deloitte, Nokia, ITC, Genpact, Wipro, HCL, HP, etc
- Entrepreneurship: After completing the course many choose to be an entrepreneur. This is due to the fact that a BCom graduate knows about accounts, tax, marketing, finance, and insurance which aids them in starting a small scale (MSME) business and work towards achieving their goal of being a successful entrepreneur.
Who can apply for BCom?
Different specializations in BCom extend the students a career in the field of banking, insurance, and accounting. It is an ideal course for all those who desire to pursue professional programs like Chartered Accountancy (CA) and Company Secretaryship (CS).
The criteria to be eligible for the BCom admission are as follows -
- A 10+2 certificate from any of the recognized educational boards with a minimum aggregate mark as described by the respective institute.
- The student must have also studied English and Maths as their core subjects.
Note - Although students from any stream are accepted to the course, those with a 10+2 degree in commerce stream will be given preference.
While it is commonly referred to as an academic course, some BCom courses include practical and internship experience along with knowledge in specific areas of accountancy, taxation, and finance. Other domains to enhance your career in include -
- Stockbroking
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Trade Management
Furthermore, some specializations of the course also create a strong foundation for various MBA programs. Courses like BCom in Marketing and E-commerce serve to be beneficial for the students who wish to go for an MBA degree after the successful achievement of their BCom degree. Students who wish to strengthen their abilities in the commerce department should choose this course after completing high school.
Skills required for BCom course
The course mainly focuses on banking, finance, and accounting. Thus, a student who wishes to opt for a BCom course must be well-versed with these. Other important skills required for this course are -
- Managerial skills along with knowledge of core commerce subjects.
- Statistical techniques and mathematical skills - introduction to these skills will help one assess the probability of an event and the financial consequences.
- Entrepreneurship skills - entrepreneurial skills aid a student in strengthening their profile.
- Analytical skills - a BCom aspirant is required to have strong analytical skills as most of the core subjects are based on data and numbers.
- Organizational behavior - although BCom is an academic discipline, students are required to portray some organizational behavior in order to pursue the professional side of the course.
Several colleges offering specialized BCom courses aim to make the student job-ready. Therefore, some of the above-mentioned skills are really important while attempting for admission to such programs.
BCom Course Details: Admission, Specializations and Top Colleges in India
Admission to the BCom course is mostly done on the basis of the merit list (marks scored in 12th standard). A few universities/institutions like the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies conduct their own tests to admit students into plain BCom and integrated courses.
BCom Admission: How to Apply?
BCom admissions are done on the basis of the marks scored in 10+2. However, colleges like Banaras Hindu University and NMIMS (among few others) admit students through entrance exams. Thus, admissions to BCom are either merit-based or entrance based.
Let’s dig deeper and find out which route to tread on -
Merit-Based Admission
- Several colleges such as Lady Shri Ram College for Women, KMC, etc. Enroll students in BCom courses based on their 10+2 academic aggregate.
- Students are required to submit an application form which is later on processed by the college.
- After this, a merit list is released by the respective colleges. Students are then granted admission depending on the number of seats available in each college.
- The final step includes the payment of fee and submission of all the necessary documents.
Entrance-Based Admission
- Unlike the merit-based admission process, students are enrolled only if they crack the entrance exam.
- Students can easily apply for the admission once the applications for a particular college/university has been released.
- After the successful submission of application forms, students are handed out their admit cards and informed about the exam dates.
BCom entrance exams along with other necessary details are mentioned below -
| Exam Name | Application Period* | Exam Date* | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUET | June 20 - July 04, 2020 | TBA | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| NPAT | Till May 12, 2020 | June 26 - 28, 2020 | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| IPU CET | March 3 - July 20, 2020 | TBA | Online |
| BHU UET | January 30 - March 21, 2020 | August 16 - 31, 2020 | Online |
| DSAT | January 9 - May 27, 2020 | May 4 – 31, 2020 | Offline/Online |
*The exam dates may change as per the latest information on the Covid-19 outbreak
BCom Specializations
BCom provides a student with more than 30 - course specializations to choose from, however, it is always advisable to find an area that suits your interest. For instance, a candidate should opt for courses like BCom in Marketing or BCom in Finance, in case they wish to go for an MBA after completing BCom.
Marketing, Accounting, Banking and IT are few of the traditional BCom courses, while courses like BCom in Taxation and Economics are more or less academic centered. A detailed table below mentions a few of these specializations and their details -
| Name | About | Jobs | Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountancy | The course puts a strong emphasis on developing analytical skills and illustrates all aspects of accounting. | Tax Accountant, Auditor, Sales Analyst, CS, Finance Officer | 3 - 10 LPA |
| Computer Applications | BCom in Computer Applications aims to assemble qualified and trained personnel. Various job domains include - banking, accounting, e-commerce. | Computer Operator, Programmer, Mobile Application Developer, Finance Manager | 3 - 10 LPA |
| Accounting & Finance | This program deals with the niche of commerce, specializing in the sector of Accounting and Finance. | Investment Analyst, Accountant, Business Analyst | 3 - 11 LPA |
| Marketing | It emphasizes the techniques and methods of managing and planning for marketing. | Marketing Manager, Product and Innovation Manager, PR Manager | 4.5 - 15 LPA |
| Banking Management | The course offers knowledge of different aspects of Banking along with a thorough understanding of the practical application of the theory. | Cashier, HR Manager, Account Executive, Tax Consultant | 2 - 5 LPA |
| E-Commerce | It aims to equip eligible candidates with advanced learning in online business practices of organizations and procedures involved in managing a business online. | Budget Manager, Marketing Manager, Accountant | 3 - 12 LPA |
With the rise of the e-commerce sector, the demand for BCom in E-commerce has also increased among students. It is a modernized course which is designed to focus on technology-based transaction of information, money, goods, and services. Due to the importance of digital transactions in our day to day life, the demand for BCom in E-commerce graduates will only increase. Universities such as - BAMU offer dedicated courses like this one.
Top BCom Colleges in India
Each year about 40 lakh students are enrolled in a BCom course. The course is provided by 10,000+ colleges across India. A few of the notable colleges for pursuing a BCom course are mentioned below -
Top Government Colleges
| College Name | City | Average Annual Fees (INR) | Average Placement (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRCC - Shri Ram College of Commerce | New Delhi | 28,910 | 16 LPA |
| Hindu College | New Delhi | 17,240 | 2.5 LPA |
| Hansraj college | New Delhi | 20,315 | 13 LPA |
| Kirori Mal College - KMC | New Delhi | 12,345 | 4.4LPA |
| Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College | New Delhi | 10,785 | 1.8 LPA |
| Indraprastha College for Women | New Delhi | 14,000 | 15.15 LPA |
| Gargi College | New Delhi | 12,495 | 4.2 LPA |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College | New Delhi | 17,525 | 2.1 LPA |
| Stella Maris College | Chennai | 29,645 | 5 LPA |
Top Private Colleges
Some of the top private institutes for pursuing BCom are -
| College Name | City | Average Annual Fees (INR) | Average Placement (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christ University | Bangalore | 1,85,000 | 15 Lakhs |
| MCC- Madras Christian College | Chennai | 27,919 | 10 Lakhs |
| St. Joseph’s College of Commerce | Bangalore | 60,000 | 2.5 Lakhs |
| SVC- Sri Venkateswara College | Bangalore | 40,000 | 10 Lakhs |
| Mithibai College Of Arts | Mumbai | 5,545 | 19.5 Lakhs |
| Narsee Monjee College Of Commerce And Economics | Mumbai | 4,941 | 3.25 Lakhs |
| KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce | Mumbai | 9,995 | 4.5 Lakhs |
| Goswami Ganesh Dutta S.D. College | Chandigarh | 12,250 | 4.1 Lakhs |
| Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce | New Delhi | 27,200 | 3.5 Lakhs |
Note - students interested in pursuing BCom from abroad can do so, provided that they meet the minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the program. Visit Collegedunia.com for more information on the same.
BCom Distance Learning
Distance education is known to be equivalent to a regular mode of education and opens an equal number of opportunities for the candidate to explore.
Just like in a regular mode of education, students enrolled in a BCom distance education program are also required to submit assignments (either by visiting the particular institution or online) and appear for the semester examinations.
Although the eligibility criteria for admission to a correspondence program may depend on the university/institution, the candidates, however, must present a 10+2 certificate from any recognized board with at least 55% academic aggregate. Top distance education universities for BCom are mentioned below -
| College Name | Location | Estimated Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi University (SOL) | New Delhi | 10,590 |
| IGNOU | New Delhi | 8,100 |
| Alagappa University | Tamil Nadu | 20,625 |
| Annamalai University | Tamil Nadu | 8,958 |
| Karnataka State Open University | Karnataka | 15,850 |
| Kurukshetra University | Haryana | 15,000 |
| Netaji Subhas Open University | West Bengal | 6,300 |
Note - the table mentions the estimated fee for each course. The first-year fee may vary as per the university.
It is always recommended to go for renowned institutions while planning to pursue your BCom degree via distance mode. Seeking admission to a BCom course from IGNOU is always a good idea because of the authenticity and history of the institution.
BCom Syllabus: Subjects and Books
BCom syllabus is divided into six semesters and each semester contains 6 to 8 subjects. For instance, semester 1 of the BCom course consists of 4 core and 2 additional subjects. A complete breakdown of the year-wise BCom syllabus is given below -
| Course Year | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Environmental Studies, Financial Accounting, Business Organization and Management, Principles of Microeconomics (Elective), New Venture Planning (Elective), Language [English/Hindi/Modern Indian Language], Business Laws, Business Mathematics & Statistics, Principles of Macroeconomics (Elective), Economics of Regulation of Domestic and Foreign Exchange Markets (Elective) |
| Year 2 | Income Tax Laws (Elective), Indian Economy (Elective), Financial Markets and Institutions, Banking and Insurance, Corporate Accounting, Human Resource Management (Elective), Industrial Laws (Elective), E-Commerce |
| Year 3 | Auditing and Corporate Governance, Cost Accounting, Principles of Marketing (Elective), Training and Development (Elective), Computer Applications in Business, Principles of Marketing (Elective), Training and Development (Elective), Computer Applications in Business, Advertising, Fundamentals to Financial Management, Business Communication, Personal Selling and Salesmanship, Cyber Crimes and Laws, International Business, Consumer Affairs and Customer Care |
Some of the BCom books are recommended below.
| Books | Authors |
|---|---|
| Corporate Accounting | Dr. S.M Shukla |
| Financial Accounting | Dr. Anil Kumar |
| Business Research Methods | K.Ramachandra |
| Business Law | M.C Kuchhal |
| Business Communication | Pooja Khanna |
Note - of all the topics given under BCom syllabus for electives and skill-based papers, only one needs to be elected by a candidate from each paper.
Read detailed BCom Syllabus to gather more knowledge about the subjects taught in each BCom semester.
Course comparison
BCom vs. BCom Hons
Bachelor of Commerce or BCom Honours course is also a 3-year undergraduate program. Like its competitor, BCom Hons is also an academic-focused alternative. The course mainly deals with subjects related to taxation and accounting and directs a student towards theoretical and practical knowledge in the commerce domain.
To pursue this semester-based program, a candidate must hold a 10+2 level degree from any recognized board of HS education.
The main difference between BCom Honours and BCom is in the nomenclature and course curriculum. Most of the students prefer to pursue BCom (Hons) program as it helps to prepare for certification exams such as Chartered Accountancy (CA) and other certifications side by side or afterward.
What after BCom: Jobs and Scope in India
Looking at the future prospects of the course, it is clear that the course offers numerous job opportunities for BCom graduates along with options in academia as well.
The course also offers a plethora of additional opportunities and career options. Students, however, are advised to choose a profession according to their skills and interests. Attractive career options after BCom chosen by the majority of the student population include -
- Master of Commerce (M.Com): Most of the students opt for M.Com after the successful completion of their BCom course. However, It is always recommended to go for further studies after pursuing this course or it won’t turn out to be that beneficial. Like its forerunner, MCom also offers a variety of specializations to choose from.
- MBA: As you already know, MBA is one of the most popular postgraduate courses in India as well as abroad. It offers various job opportunities and is highly suitable for all those who want to work in the corporate world.
- Financial Risk Management: Although it is comparatively underrated as compared to other courses after BCom, FRM has a lot of scope in the national as well as international market. This is due to the factors like - Market size, Company spends, etc. The course also focuses on internship (generally 6 weeks) and assured placements. GRMI, Gurgaon is one of the institutions that provide this professional course at a reasonable cost.
- Cost Accounting from Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI): Known as the cost accounting course, it provides one with job profiles like Financial Controller, Cost Controller, Chief Accountant, Chief Internal Auditor, and many more.
Apart from the above-mentioned options, a BCom graduate may also choose to go for a profession of their choice. There is a lot of scope for jobs in the private as well as public (government) sector. A few of the mentionable job professions are -
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | An accountant prepares assets, liability, and capital account entries by compiling and analyzing account information. | 4,00,000 |
| Tax Consultant | Tax consultants, also known as tax advisors, are experts in tax law, planning, and compliance. They prepare tax returns for their clients and also ensure that the tax liability is minimized. | 4,65,000 |
| Bank PO | A bank probationary officer is responsible for the supervision of clerical work, making decisions, managing cash balances, etc. A Bank PO verifies all the work that is done in a bank. | 5,20,000 |
| Account Executive | Also known as an account holder, an account executive acts as an important link between an advertising agency and its clients. The account executive also organizes the company’s creative and administrative staff to produce effective campaigns. | 3,00,000 |
| Event Manager | An event manager plans and organizes promotional, business and social events. Besides running events, they ensure that the target audience is engaged and that the message is spread properly. | 5,40,000 |
| Travel & Tourism | Travel and Tourism companies provide sophisticated travel bookings to their customers. Booking reservations for travel, hotels, rental cars, and special events are parts of their duties. | 6,50,000 |
| Commodity Trader | A commodity trader operates as an individual or a business entity and focuses on investing in physical substances like oil, gas, gold, crops, etc. Commodity traders also deal with raw materials. | 7,20,000 |
| Actuary | Actuaries use statistical techniques and mathematical skills to assess the probability of an event and the financial consequences following. At least one actuary is legally needed in every insurance company. | 4,80,000 |
| Bookkeeper | A book keeper’s jobs include posting information to accounting journals and managing invoices to customers, cash receipts, and supplier invoices. | 2,80,000 |
Most of the population after completing a BCom degree tend to opt for professions like Chartered Accountant or Company Secretary. This is because the BCom course gives a strong foundation to those who choose to pursue ACCA or a CA from ICAI.
The course also allows a student to go for combined courses. For instance, BCom LLB is a 5-year integrated course designed to grant knowledge in commerce as well as law subjects. Students enrolled in BCom LLB are taught both commerce and law subjects like - Consumer Protection Law, Constitutional Law as well as Business Statistics and Auditing.
Quick Fact: Many MBA schools accept only those BCom graduates who have a BCom degree in Marketing.
Student Reviews
“The course curriculum was really well defined during all the six semesters. I studied all the required subjects like economics, accounts, principles of management, cost accountancy, tax etc.”
“Course curriculum is excellent & the course also has mathematics that develops analytical skills.”
“Course curriculum is as set by the State Board. It is dynamic and regular changes are made in the curriculum depending on the current affairs.”
FAQs
Ques: What is BCom?
Ans: The full form BCom is Bachelor of Commerce. It is a 3-year course that revolves around banking, finance, and accounting principles.
Ques: Should I choose BCom or BCom (honors) after 12th?
Ans: Both the courses are good, but it depends upon you whether you want to specialize in a particular domain and do BCom Honours or you want to have an overview of all the subjects in the field of commerce and do plain BCom. The industry demand for the BCom honors is comparatively higher than the general BCom.
Ques: I wish to pursue an MBA in the future. Should I proceed with BCom or BBA?
Ans: Though students generally opt for an MBA after completing their BBA. The same road can be pursued by a BCom graduate as well. However, it is better to go for an MBA post completion of a BBA program since the course (MBA) requires work experience in the particular field.
Ques: Are there any good BCom colleges in Delhi?
Ans: Delhi university colleges are considered the best option for pursuing a BCom degree. Colleges like SRCC, LSR, among others can turn out to be a good choice for studying BCom in Delhi. Moreover, colleges affiliated with GGSIP university are also considered while applying for admission to a BCom course.
Ques: Which is the best course after completing BCom?
Ans: Most of the BCom graduates tend to go for a CA course after completing their BCom degree. However, other notable courses to do after BCom include - MCom, MBA, CFA, CS, etc. A student should choose a course according to their areas of interest.
Ques: What is the scope for a BCom graduate?
Ans: In terms of future scope, BCom graduates get plenty of options to choose from. For instance, one can either work in MNCs and banks under fancy job designations or pursue their desired course like - CA, CS or MBA, to take their academic journey forward.
Ques: Can I do BCom without Maths?
Ans: Yes, students who did not have mathematics in 10+2 can pursue BCom as well.
Ques: I am a humanities student. Can I pursue BCom after clearing 10+2 with Arts stream?
Ans: Yes, students from the humanities stream can also apply for the BCom course provided that they have maths and/or English as their core subjects in 10+2
Ques: Is it possible to do an MCA course after completing BCom?
Ans: Yes, BCom graduates are eligible to apply for Master of Computer Applications or MCA course.
Ques: What is the highest salary package for an SRCC (Delhi University) BCom graduate?
Ans: The highest salary package offered to an SRCC BCom graduate (Shrey Gupta) was 32 LPA
Ques: Should I pursue CA along with BCom? Or should I go for CA after I have completed my BCom degree?
Ans: Yes, preparing for CA while studying a bachelors degree is the only sensible way to go about it. As the subjects taught in BCom course would help one in their pursuit to become a CA. Average students who score 75 to 90 percentile in their board exams are advised to go for correspondence courses and pursue CA side by side. However, students who score 90 or above on their boards should go for a regular college along with a CA course.
Ques: Is it worth doing an MCom after the BCom course?
Ans: MCom is the advanced version of the BCom course. It is the immediate choice for BCom graduates. Those planning to go for a doctoral degree in commerce should opt for MCom. However, there are other professional courses like Financial Risk Management which can help one get higher salary packages and fancy job opportunities.
Ques: How to prepare for top BCom entrance exams?
Ans: In an entrance exam, there are generally 3 sections: Verbal Ability, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude. Some entrance exams also have a GK section.
Points to keep in mind for preparing well for the entrance exams:
- Verbal ability tests a student on the basis of Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Vocabulary, and Para Jumbles. Do as much reading as you can, so as to score well in this section.
- Quantitative Ability tests a student on some topics like Geometry, Mensuration, Probability, Progressions, Matrices, Permutations & Combinations, and some other important topics of mathematics. Class 11 and 12 Maths is sufficient to clear this section.
- For reasoning ability, practice previous year papers to know the pattern of questions coming in the exam.
- For General Awareness, Current affairs and static GK will be sufficient.
Ques: What type of job opportunities are available for BCom graduates?
Ans: Students have plenty of BCom jobs in government as well as private sectors to choose from provided that they are not limited to careers in accounts and finance. Popular job profiles after BCom include - Accountant, Account Executive, Tax Consultant, Bookkeeper, etc.
Ques: Am I eligible for a government job after doing BCom from distance learning?
Ans: Yes, BCom distance education is recognized by the UGC and hence students who graduate from distance education mode are eligible for government jobs as well.
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