EY Bursary Requirements, Application and Closing Dates

The EY Bursary Programme in South Africa supports students who aim to become Chartered Accountants (CA) and who demonstrate strong academic potential. 

The programme is offered by EY South Africa and covers tertiary study at universities accredited by the SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants). 

Recipients commit to working at EY on a training contract for a minimum of three years.

Fields of Study Covered by the EY Bursary

The bursary is aimed at students pursuing a CA qualification (typically a three‑ to four‑year degree plus a one‑year Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA) or equivalent).

The qualification must be at a SAICA‑accredited university in South Africa, such as:

1. University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
2. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
3. University of Pretoria (UP)
4. University of Cape Town (UCT)
5. Stellenbosch University
6. University of the Free State (UFS)
7. University of KwaZulu‑Natal (UKZN)
8. University of Limpopo, and others listed by SAICA.

EY Bursary Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the EY bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Must be a South African citizen and hold a valid South African ID.
2. Must either have completed Matric or be in Matric (Grade 12) with the intention to study a CA‑path qualification.
3. Must have a strong academic record, typically a minimum of four A’s in Matric excluding Life Orientation.
4. Must intend to study or be studying a CA qualification (3‑4 year degree plus CTA) at a SAICA‑accredited university.
5. For the “Academic Merit with Financial Need” stream: must demonstrate financial need (proof of household income, etc).
6. Must have strong accounting skills and a clear intention to pursue the CA(SA) route.

What the EY Bursary Covers

The EY bursary programme has two main types:

• Academic Merit Bursary: contributes towards tuition fees.
• Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary: covers tuition, accommodation, books, meals (depending on need), and may include other study‑related costs.
  Recipients enter into a training‑contract commitment at EY for a minimum of three years after completing their qualification.

EY Bursary Application Process

1. Visit the EY South Africa career/bursary portal and select the bursary programme.
2. Complete the online application form and upload supporting documentation (such as a certified ID copy, Matric certificate or latest results, university acceptance/enrolment proof, proof of household income if applicable).
3. Submit a single PDF document combining all supporting documents if specified.
4. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a virtual video interview. If successful, the candidate will be offered a bursary agreement and training contract with EY.
5. Ensure you meet the minimum criteria and apply as early as possible.

EY Bursary Closing Date

For the 2026 cycle, applications opened on 1st August and the closing date is 31 October 2026.

FAQs