SAICA Thuthuka Bursary

Who can apply

• Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be a Black African or Coloured student
• You must be from a disadvantaged background
• You must be currently in Matric OR have completed Matric within the last 2 years
• You must have achieved a minimum result of 60% (level 5) for Mathematics in Grade 11 (NOT Mathematics Literacy or Technical Mathematics)
• You must be studying OR intend on studying towards one of the qualifications listed above, in 2027
• You must have applied or are in the process of applying, to study towards one of the qualifications listed above, at one of the SAICA accredited universities
• You must have a combined family income of NOT more than R350 000 per annum
• You must have written or will write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) before the bursary closing date (read about the NBT here)

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to SAICA Thuthuka - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

SAICA Thuthuka Bursary South Africa 2027

WHAT FIELDS DOES THE SAICA THUTHUKA BURSARY PROGRAMME COVER?

SAICA is inviting students to apply for the Thuthuka Bursary, for the 2027 academic year.

The Thuthuka Bursary is open to students who are studying towards a career in Chartered Accountancy - specifically the following undergraduate qualifications, at these selected institutions:

• University of Johannesburg (UJ): Bachelor of Accounting (Course code BCA012)
• University of Pretoria (UP): Accounting Sciences (Course code 07130044)
• University of Witwatersrand (WITS): B Acc Science (Course Code CB008)
• University of Free State (UFS - Bloemfontein Campus): Bachelor of Accounting (Course code BC636060) / PGCA (Course code BC656060)
• University of Fort Hare (UFH): B Com Accounting (Course Code 60001)
• University of Cape Town (UCT): B Com (Course Code CB024) / PGDA (Course Code CG010ACC01)
• University of Western Cape (UWC): (Course Code 1021 or 1753)
• Stellenbosch University (SU): B Com Accounting/ B Rek (Course code 3091001)
• Rhodes University (RU): Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
• Nelson Mandela University (NMU): B Com Accounting (Course code 40103)
• North West University (NWU - Potch Campus): B Com CA (Course code 5DAH01-E302)
• University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN - Westville Campus): Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (code BCOM-C)
• University of Limpopo (UL) - CTA only: PGDA

WHAT EXPENSES DOES THE THUTHUKA BURSARY PROGRAMME COVER?

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: tuition, books, meals, residence fees and accommodation.

The Thuthuka Bursary will NOT pay for existing loans or debts.

WHAT OTHER BENEFITS DOES THE THUTHUKA BURSARY PROGRAMME OFFER?

Bursary recipients will also have access to the following benefits:

• academic support (including various academic enrichment programmes: additional tutorials, study skills workshops etc)
• social and emotional support
• work-readiness and life skills training
• mentoring and counselling
• access to dedicated programme manager
• exposure to experienced chartered accountants and business leaders as mentors

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE THUTHUKA BURSARY PROGRAMME?

Bursary recipients will be required to sign a contract with the Thuthuka Education and Upliftment Fund (TEUF) and NSFAS.

Bursaries are awarded annually and are renewed at the discretion of the fund. Candidates will be selected based on 3 main criteria: academic results, financial need as determined by the NSFAS financial means test and National Benchmark Test (NBT) results.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted - if you do not receive any feedback, please regard your application as unsuccessful.

WHAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO APPLY FOR THE SAICA THUTHUKA BURSARY?

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be a Black African or Coloured student
• You must be from a disadvantaged background
• You must be currently in Matric OR have completed Matric within the last 2 years
• You must have achieved a minimum result of 60% (level 5) for Mathematics in Grade 11 (NOT Mathematics Literacy or Technical Mathematics)
• You must be studying OR intend on studying towards one of the qualifications listed above, in 2027
• You must have applied or are in the process of applying, to study towards one of the qualifications listed above, at one of the SAICA accredited universities
• You must have a combined family income of NOT more than R350 000 per annum
• You must have written or will write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) before the bursary closing date (read about the NBT here)

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE SAICA THUTHUKA BURSARY?

Applications must be submitted online at: SAICA Thuthuka Bursary Application 2027

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the SAICA Thuthuka bursary.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE SAICA THUTHUKA BURSARY?

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application (the submission of these documents is compulsory - if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Grade 11 final results (certified copy)
• Matric latest results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
• Matric final results, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Proof of University provisional acceptance/ registration, if currently in Matric (on University letterhead)
• Full University academic record, if currently studying (on University letterhead)
• Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed) (certified copies)
• ID documents or birth certificates of other dependents in your family income (certified copies)
• Signed Thuthuka Consent Form (.pdf)

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SAICA THUTHUKA BURSARY?

31 August 2026 (at 11:59 am).(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted - please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER?

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the SAICA directly:Tel: 011 621 6600Email: tbf@saica.co.za

WHAT DOES SAICA DO?

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) is a South African based accountancy body, in fact they are the top accountancy body in the country. The history of the company dates back to 1894, when it was formed in Johannesburg as “The Institute of Accountants and Auditors”. SAICA is one of the global leading Institutes and currently boasts more than 36 000 members. The company prides itself on providing their CAs with advice, support and services over the course of their professional lives.

In 1987, SAICA joined forces with the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants (ABASA) and the PAAB to create the CAs’ Eden Trust, as a means to provide bursary funding to black CAs(SA). The name then changed to the Thuthuka Bursary Fund in 2002 and has since assisted many struggling students complete their studies and reach their dreams of becoming a CA.

SAICA has been awarding bursaries to disadvantaged African and coloured students who want to study to become CAs(SA), since 2005, by way of the Thuthuka Bursary programme.

- END -

Frequently asked questions

Sources

This page summarises information published by: