Sanlam CA Trainee Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 31 May 2026
Provider: Sanlam
Study level: Postgraduate, Undergraduate
Academic year: 2024
Last checked: September 2026

The CA trainee bursary was last advertised for the 2024 academic year, closing on 29 November 2023.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 31 May 2026 Watch the Sanlam careers portal from October 2026 and ask the CA programme office by email. Latest update ↓

Sanlam, one of Africa’s largest insurers, trains chartered accountants through its own SAICA-accredited training programme (TOPP articles) at its Cape Town head office. To feed the programme it has funded students through the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting year with a CA trainee bursary that includes mentoring and holiday work.

About the Sanlam CA Trainee Bursary

The bursary funds the SAICA-accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, or CTA, year and covers:

Registration and tuition fees.
Accommodation, a prescribed book allowance, a meal allowance and a monthly stipend.
Academic evaluation meetings, mentoring, virtual study and counselling sessions.
Holiday work and job shadowing at Sanlam.

Bursars then join Sanlam’s three-year SAICA training programme, with rotations across business units covering financial strategy, risk, taxation and digital skills, to qualify as CA(SA).

Sanlam CA Trainee Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen.
Accepted for, or enrolled in, a SAICA-accredited PGDA or CTA programme.
An overall undergraduate average of at least 65%.
Household income of no more than R350 000 a year.
Professionalism, a strong work ethic and technical ability, assessed at interview.

How to apply for the Sanlam CA Trainee Bursary

Search the Sanlam careers portal at sanlam.co.za/careers for the CA trainee bursary advert.
Complete the online application and upload a certified ID or passport, a comprehensive CV, proof of acceptance into the PGDA or CTA, proof of household income and a motivation letter covering your career aspirations.
Submit before the closing date. Shortlisted applicants complete assessments and interviews in Cape Town.

Sanlam CA Trainee Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 29 November 2023. If a 2027 round is advertised, expect a closing date in November 2026. The CA training programme itself closes on 31 May each year.

Contact details

Sanlam CA programme: CAProgramme@sanlam.co.za
Careers portal: sanlam.co.za/careers

PGDA students should also apply to the PwC bursary, the RSM Education Trust bursary and SAICA’s Thuthuka bursary. See our commerce bursaries list.

FAQs

1. Is the Sanlam CA trainee bursary open for 2027? +

The bursary for the PGDA year was last advertised for 2024, closing on 29 November 2023. Sanlam's related CA training programme for 2027 closed on 31 May 2026. A 2027 bursary call had not been published when we checked; watch the Sanlam careers portal from October 2026 and email CAProgramme@sanlam.co.za.

2. What does the bursary fund? +

The SAICA-accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (or CTA) year, covering registration and tuition, accommodation, a book allowance, a meal allowance and a monthly stipend, with mentoring, holiday work and study support.

3. Who qualifies? +

Students accepted for a SAICA-accredited PGDA or CTA with an undergraduate average of at least 65%, from households earning no more than R350 000 a year, who show professionalism and technical ability.

4. What happens after the bursary? +

Bursars join Sanlam's SAICA training programme (TOPP articles), a three-year rotational contract in Cape Town leading to the CA(SA) qualification.

5. How do I apply? +

Online through the Sanlam careers portal, uploading a certified ID, a CV, proof of acceptance into the PGDA, proof of household income and a motivation letter.

6. What are the alternatives? +

The audit firms' CA bursaries, SAICA's Thuthuka bursary and the RSM Education Trust. See our commerce bursaries list.

Update note (checked September 2026): the CA trainee bursary was last advertised for the 2024 academic year, closing on 29 November 2023. Sanlam’s CA training programme intake for 2027 closed on 31 May 2026. A bursary call for 2027 had not been published when we checked. Watch the Sanlam careers portal from October 2026 and ask the CA programme office by email. The details below are from the last published bursary advert.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

About Sanlam

Private company (insurance and financial services)

Sanlam registered in 1918 to widen access to financial services and savings for people largely shut out of the English-controlled banking sector of the time. Sanlam demutualised and listed on the JSE in 1998, and the group now…

Read the full Sanlam profile →

Address: 2 Strand Road, Bellville, Cape Town, 7530
Phone: +27 21 947 9111
Website: sanlam.co.za