Accenture Scholarship 2027

About the Provider

Accenture is a leading international professional services company that has been operating in South Africa since 1971. With close to 2 000 staff members locally and a global presence serving over 350 000 clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture is one of the world's largest and most respected technology consulting firms.

The company provides its clients with a comprehensive range of solutions and services spanning digital transformation, management consulting, technology implementation, business operations, and corporate strategy. Accenture operates across virtually every major industry sector, including Banking, Public Service, Consumer Goods, Health, Software and Platforms, Automotive, Insurance, Communications and Media, Retail, Energy, Capital Markets, Life Sciences, and Utilities.

Accenture's South African operations are organised into five sub-sectors: Accenture Digital, Accenture Technology, Accenture Consulting, Accenture Operations, and Accenture Strategy. This structure provides diverse career pathways for technology graduates, from hands-on software development and data engineering to strategic advisory and digital transformation consulting.

The Accenture Education Trust was established to invest in South Africa's technology talent pipeline by providing full scholarships to high-achieving students at selected universities. The Trust recognises that South Africa's digital economy requires a steady supply of skilled technology professionals, and that financial barriers prevent many talented students from completing their qualifications.

By funding students from their second year onwards, the Trust targets scholars who have already proven their academic capability at university level, reducing the risk of dropout while maximising the impact of each scholarship investment. The ongoing mentorship component ensures that scholars develop not only technical skills but also the professional competencies needed to thrive in a global consulting environment.

About the Program

The Accenture Education Trust Scholarship is a prestigious full-funding opportunity for high-achieving students pursuing technology-focused degrees at eight selected South African universities. The programme targets students from their second year onwards (2nd, 3rd, 4th, or Honours year), meaning it supports students who have already demonstrated academic capability at tertiary level.

The scholarship covers an exceptionally comprehensive range of expenses: registration fees, tuition fees, examination fees, a prescribed book allowance, a laptop allowance, accommodation in residence, and meals. This full-funding approach removes virtually all financial barriers, allowing scholars to focus entirely on their academic development.

Beyond financial support, scholarship recipients receive ongoing mentorship throughout their studies. This mentorship connects students with Accenture professionals who provide guidance on academic choices, career planning, and professional development, creating a bridge between university studies and the corporate technology environment.

The programme funds seventeen specific technology-aligned degree qualifications across Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical with Mechatronics Engineering, and Statistics and Data Science. This focused selection reflects the skills most in demand within Accenture's global technology consulting operations.

Eligibility includes an income-based means test that varies by study level: undergraduate applicants must have a total family income between R350 000 and R1 million per year, while postgraduate or NSFAS applicants must have a total family income below R300 000 per year. This tiered approach ensures the scholarship reaches the 'missing middle' — students whose families earn too much for NSFAS but too little to comfortably afford university fees — as well as financially disadvantaged postgraduate students.

Bursary Benefits

• Full registration fees covered
• Full tuition fees covered
• Examination fees covered
• Prescribed book allowance for all required study materials
• Laptop allowance for academic and professional use
• Accommodation in residence funded
• Meals covered
• Ongoing mentorship from Accenture professionals throughout your studies
• Association with a global technology leader operating in 120+ countries
• Career pathway into one of the world's largest professional services companies

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must have completed Matric
• You must be studying full-time towards one of the 17 approved technology-aligned degrees
• You must be in your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or Honours year of study
• You must be studying at one of the 8 selected universities: Rhodes, Stellenbosch, UCT, UJ, UP, Wits, UKZN, or UWC
• You must have a strong academic record with a minimum overall average of 65%
• Undergraduate applicants: total family income must be between R350 000 and R1 million per year
• Postgraduate or NSFAS applicants: total family income must be less than R300 000 per year

Required Documents

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric certificate (certified copy)
• Full academic record including 2026 mid-year exam results or progress report (certified copy)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Parents or guardians proof of income if earning less than R600 000 per annum (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians latest income tax returns if earning less than R1 million per year

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements: South African citizen, minimum 65% average, studying a technology-aligned degree at one of the 8 selected universities, in your 2nd year or above, and meeting the income thresholds.
2. Visit the official Accenture Education Trust Scholarship Application portal online (Reference: R00325741).
3. Create an account with your email address and chosen password.
4. Log in and select the "Apply Manually" option.
5. Complete the "My Information" page with your personal details.
6. Fill in the "My Experience" page with any work experience (including part-time work such as tutoring or promotions).
7. Answer all questions on the "Application Questions" page.
8. Complete the "Voluntary Disclosure" page with the required fields.
9. Upload all supporting documents: certified ID, certified Matric certificate, certified full academic record including 2026 mid-year results, CV, and parents' proof of income documentation.
10. Review all information on the "Summary Page" and submit your application.

Tips for Success

• Ensure you are at the right university — only 8 specific institutions are eligible. If you are not at one of these, you cannot apply.
• Check your degree is on the approved list — 17 specific technology-aligned qualifications are funded. General degrees are not eligible.
• Calculate your family income carefully — the thresholds differ for undergraduate (R350K–R1M) and postgraduate/NSFAS (under R300K) applicants.
• Include your 2026 mid-year results — these are specifically required as part of your academic record.
• Complete the application questions carefully — the portal includes specific questions that must be answered correctly.
• Include all work experience on the "My Experience" page, even part-time work like tutoring or promotions.
• Get documents certified recently — certified copies should be current.
• Maintain your 65% average — this is the minimum threshold, but competitive applicants typically achieve higher.
• Apply early — the closing date is to be confirmed, meaning applications could close without notice.
• Leverage the mentorship if selected — Accenture mentors can provide invaluable career guidance and industry connections.

Career Prospects

Accenture is one of the world's largest professional services companies, serving over 350 000 clients in more than 120 countries. The company has operated in South Africa since 1971 and employs close to 2 000 staff members locally. This global scale creates exceptional career opportunities for scholarship graduates who demonstrate strong performance.

Accenture's operations are organised into five sub-sectors, each offering distinct career paths:

• Accenture Technology — implementing and managing technology solutions, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and enterprise platforms
• Accenture Digital — digital transformation, user experience design, analytics, and artificial intelligence
• Accenture Consulting — management consulting, strategy development, and organisational transformation
• Accenture Operations — business process outsourcing, managed services, and operational excellence
• Accenture Strategy — high-level strategic advisory for C-suite executives and boards

The company serves clients across numerous industries including Banking, Insurance, Communications and Media, Health, Retail, Energy, Automotive, Life Sciences, and Public Service. This industry diversity means graduates can specialise in sectors that interest them while leveraging their technology skills.

Specific technology career paths include software engineering, data science and analytics, cloud architecture, cybersecurity consulting, AI and machine learning engineering, systems integration, and technology project management. The combination of a strong South African technology degree and Accenture mentorship positions graduates for rapid career advancement.

Accenture's global presence also creates opportunities for international assignments and transfers, allowing ambitious graduates to build truly global careers while maintaining their South African base. The company's investment in continuous learning means employees regularly upskill in emerging technologies, keeping their expertise current throughout their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which universities are eligible?

Eight universities: Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and University of the Western Cape.

Can first-year students apply?

No. The scholarship is for students in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or Honours year of study. First-year students are not eligible.

What is the income threshold?

For undergraduate applicants, total family income must be between R350 000 and R1 million per year. For postgraduate or NSFAS applicants, total family income must be less than R300 000 per year.

What does the scholarship cover?

Full funding: registration fees, tuition, examination fees, book allowance, laptop allowance, accommodation in residence, and meals. Plus ongoing mentorship.

What academic average do I need?

A minimum overall average of 65% is required.

When does the application close?

The closing date is to be confirmed. Apply as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.

What technology degrees are accepted?

Seventeen specific degrees are funded, spanning Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, Mechatronics, and Statistics/Data Science.

What does Accenture do?

Accenture is a global professional services company providing solutions in digital, consulting, technology, operations, and strategy across 120+ countries. They have operated in South Africa since 1971.

Applications Closing

The closing date is to be confirmed — apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

About the Organization

Tel: 011 208 3216