SAICA Thuthuka Bursary 2027

About the Provider

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) is the country's premier accountancy body, with a history dating back to 1894 when it was formed in Johannesburg as the Institute of Accountants and Auditors. Today, SAICA boasts more than 36 000 members and is recognised as one of the leading accounting institutes globally.

SAICA provides its Chartered Accountants with advice, support, and services throughout their professional lives, maintaining the high standards that make the CA(SA) designation one of the most respected professional qualifications in South Africa. The institute plays a critical role in regulating the accounting profession, setting ethical standards, and ensuring that South Africa's financial reporting meets international benchmarks.

In 1987, SAICA joined forces with the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants (ABASA) and the PAAB to create the CAs' Eden Trust, providing bursary funding to black aspiring CAs. This initiative was renamed the Thuthuka Bursary Fund in 2002 and has since assisted thousands of students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete their accounting studies and achieve their dream of becoming Chartered Accountants.

Since 2005, SAICA has been awarding bursaries specifically to disadvantaged African and Coloured students through the Thuthuka programme. The word "Thuthuka" means "to develop" in isiZulu, reflecting the programme's core mission of developing talent that would otherwise be lost due to financial constraints. The programme has become one of the most successful transformation initiatives in the South African accounting profession.

About the Program

The Thuthuka Bursary Programme is one of South Africa's most comprehensive and well-structured bursary initiatives for aspiring Chartered Accountants. The programme provides full financial support to students studying towards CA-qualifying undergraduate qualifications at 13 SAICA-accredited universities across the country.

Participating universities include the University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Free State, University of Fort Hare, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, North West University, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and University of Limpopo (CTA only). This extensive network ensures that students across all provinces have access to the programme.

The bursary covers tuition, books, meals, residence fees, and accommodation — a comprehensive package that removes virtually all financial barriers to completing a CA-qualifying degree. However, the programme explicitly does not pay for existing loans or debts, focusing its resources on current and future study costs.

Beyond financial support, Thuthuka provides a rich ecosystem of academic and personal development resources. Recipients gain access to additional tutorials, study skills workshops, social and emotional support, work-readiness and life skills training, mentoring and counselling, a dedicated programme manager, and exposure to experienced chartered accountants and business leaders as mentors.

Bursaries are awarded annually and renewed at the discretion of the fund. Selection is based on three main criteria: academic results, financial need as determined by the NSFAS financial means test, and National Benchmark Test (NBT) results. Recipients sign a contract with both the Thuthuka Education and Upliftment Fund (TEUF) and NSFAS.

Bursary Benefits

• Full tuition fees covered at a SAICA-accredited university
• Books and prescribed study materials provided
• Meals covered during the academic year
• Residence fees and accommodation fully funded
• Academic enrichment programmes including additional tutorials and study skills workshops
• Social and emotional support services
• Work-readiness and life skills training preparing students for professional environments
• Mentoring and counselling from experienced professionals
• Dedicated programme manager providing ongoing guidance
• Exposure to chartered accountants and business leaders as mentors
• Bursary is renewable annually at the discretion of the fund

Eligibility Criteria

• 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 of 60% (Level 5) for Mathematics in Grade 11 (not Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics)
• You must be studying or intend to study towards a CA-qualifying qualification at one of the 13 SAICA-accredited universities
• You must have applied or be in the process of applying to one of the listed universities
• Your combined family income must NOT exceed R350 000 per annum
• You must have written or will write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) before the bursary closing date

Required Documents

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

How to Apply

1. Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements, particularly the 60% Mathematics minimum, family income cap of R350 000, and enrolment at a SAICA-accredited university.
2. Write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) before the bursary closing date — your NBT results are required for selection.
3. Apply to or confirm your registration at one of the 13 participating universities for a CA-qualifying programme.
4. Gather all required documents: certified ID, academic results, parents' income proof, and the signed consent form.
5. Visit the official Thuthuka Bursary Fund application portal online.
6. Complete the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and financial information.
7. Upload all supporting documents in clear, legible format.
8. Download, sign, and upload the Thuthuka Consent Form.
9. Submit your application before 31 August 2026 at 11:59 am.
10. If shortlisted, you will be contacted. If you do not receive feedback, consider your application unsuccessful.

Tips for Success

• Write the NBT early — your National Benchmark Test results are a key selection criterion. Register and write the test well before the August deadline.
• Apply to the university first — you need proof of acceptance or registration at a SAICA-accredited university as part of your bursary application.
• Check the specific course codes — each university has a specific CA-qualifying programme with a designated course code. Ensure you are enrolled in the correct programme.
• Gather income documentation carefully — the NSFAS financial means test is used to assess need. Provide comprehensive proof of your family's financial situation.
• Mathematics is non-negotiable — you need Level 5 (60%) in Mathematics, not Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics. If your Grade 11 results are borderline, focus on improving.
• Family income cap is R350 000 — this is combined household income. Ensure your documentation accurately reflects your family's total earnings.
• Certify all documents — copies must be certified at a police station or post office. Don't leave this to the last minute.
• Understand the commitment — you will sign a contract with both TEUF and NSFAS. The bursary is renewed annually based on academic performance.

Career Prospects

The Thuthuka Bursary provides a direct pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant CA(SA), one of South Africa's most prestigious and well-compensated professional designations. The CA(SA) qualification opens doors across virtually every sector of the economy.

Career paths available to Chartered Accountants include:

• Audit and assurance — working at Big Four firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) or mid-tier audit practices
• Corporate finance — advising on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising
• Banking — risk management, credit analysis, and financial structuring
• Tax advisory — helping individuals and companies optimise their tax positions
• Management consulting — advising organisations on strategy, operations, and transformation
• Chief Financial Officer — leading the finance function of major corporations
• Entrepreneurship — the business acumen gained through CA training supports successful business ventures
• Public sector — financial management in government departments and state-owned enterprises

Chartered Accountants in South Africa earn among the highest professional salaries, with newly qualified CAs starting at R500 000-R700 000 and experienced professionals earning well above R1 million. The qualification is internationally recognised, providing mobility to work in the UK, Australia, Canada, and other countries with reciprocal agreements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which universities participate in the Thuthuka programme?

13 SAICA-accredited universities: UJ, UP, Wits, UFS, UFH, UCT, UWC, Stellenbosch, Rhodes, NMU, NWU, UKZN, and UL (CTA only).

What is the family income limit?

Your combined family income must not exceed R350 000 per annum.

Do I need to write the NBT?

Yes. You must have written or will write the National Benchmark Tests before the bursary closing date. NBT results are used in the selection process.

Is Mathematical Literacy accepted?

No. You must have Level 5 (60%) in Mathematics. Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics are not accepted.

What does the bursary cover?

Tuition, books, meals, residence fees, and accommodation. It does not cover existing loans or debts.

Is the bursary renewable?

Yes, bursaries are renewed annually at the discretion of the fund based on academic performance.

Who is eligible to apply?

Black African or Coloured South African citizens from disadvantaged backgrounds who are in Matric or have completed Matric within the last 2 years.

What contract do I sign?

Bursary recipients sign a contract with both the Thuthuka Education and Upliftment Fund (TEUF) and NSFAS.

Applications Closing

Applications close on 31 August 2026 at 11:59 am. Submit your application well before the deadline to allow time for document preparation.

About the Organization

Tel: 011 621 6600 Email: tbf@saica.co.za