Are you a South African student from a disadvantaged background dreaming of a career in Chartered Accountancy? The SAICA Thuthuka Bursaries 2027 offer a great chance to make that dream real. This programme helps Black African or Coloured students cover costs and gain skills for success.
Bursary Overview
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) runs the Thuthuka Bursary Programme to support students pursuing Chartered Accountancy (CA). It targets those from tough backgrounds who face barriers to higher education. Beyond money, it provides academic help, social support, and career guidance to build strong professionals.
Universities and Fields Covered
The bursary funds Accounting degrees at SAICA-accredited schools across South Africa. These include top spots like University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of Pretoria (UP), and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Other options are University of the Free State (UFS), University of Fort Hare (UFH), University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Stellenbosch University (SU), Rhodes University (RU), Nelson Mandela University (NMU), North-West University (NWU), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and University of Limpopo (UL for CTA only). Pick a school that fits your goals and location.
What the Bursary Covers
This funding takes care of key student expenses. It pays full tuition fees, accommodation and residence costs, meals, and prescribed textbooks. Keep in mind it does not pay off old debts or loans from before.
Extra Benefits
Recipients get more than just cash. They receive extra tutorials and workshops for better grades. Mentorship and counselling help with personal growth. Life skills training prepares you for work, and programme managers offer ongoing advice. You also meet chartered accountants and business leaders for real-world insights.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Rules
Not everyone qualifies, so check these points first. You must be a South African citizen and either Black African or Coloured from a disadvantaged background. Be in Matric now or finished it in the last two years. Get at least 60% in Mathematics (not Maths Literacy) in Grade 11. Plan to study Accounting in 2027 at a listed university and have applied there already. Your family’s total yearly income must be R350,000 or less. Also, write or plan to write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT).
How Selection Works
SAICA picks winners based on grades, financial need via NSFAS means test, and NBT scores. They review all applications carefully. Shortlisted students hear back soon. No news after a while means you did not make the cut.
Documents You Need
Gather these before applying to speed things up:
- Certified copy of your ID
- Grade 11 results
- Matric results if you have them
- Proof you applied to or got accepted at university
- Full academic record if you’re already studying
- Parents’ or guardians’ ID copies
- Proof of household income
- ID or birth certificates for any dependents
- Signed Thuthuka Consent Form
Scan and upload clear copies.
Steps to Apply
Applications close on 31 August 2026. Study starts at selected universities in 2027. Go to the official site at thuthukabursaryfund.co.za to start your form. Fill it out fully and attach all documents. Submit early to avoid last-minute issues.
Reasons to Go for It
The SAICA Thuthuka Bursaries 2027 remove money worries so you focus on studies. Strong support systems boost your chances of passing tough CA exams. Mentors open doors in the accounting world. Many past students now thrive as chartered accountants, proving the path works.