Hey future Chartered Accountant! 🤩 Dreaming of a career in accounting but worried about those tuition fees? Well, guess what – the awesome **EY Bursary for 2026** is here to help make those dreams a reality! EY, one of the “Big Four” global accounting firms, is offering incredible opportunities for ambitious South African students just like you.
The EY Bursary programme is designed to support academically strong students pursuing a Chartered Accountancy degree. This isn’t just about covering costs; it’s about investing in your future and bringing you into the EY family, where you’ll get world-class training and mentorship. They offer two types of bursaries: an Academic Merit Bursary (for strong academics) and an Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary (for those with excellent grades AND proven financial need).
Who Can Apply?
Ready to see if you’ve got what it takes? EY is looking for bright, dedicated South African students who meet these criteria:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must have completed Matric or currently be in Matric.
- You need to have achieved a minimum of 4 A’s in Matric (excluding Life Orientation).
- You must be studying, or planning to study, towards a SAICA-accredited Chartered Accountancy degree.
- Your chosen university must be one of the SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) accredited institutions (University of Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, Rhodes University, University of Cape Town, University of Western Cape, University of Stellenbosch, University of Free State, North West University, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Fort Hare, University of Limpopo, University of Zululand, University of Venda, Walter Sisulu University, UNISA, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Monash, or Institute of Accounting Science).
- You should have a strong academic record, especially in accounting.
- If you’re applying for the Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary, you’ll need to show proof of financial need.
What Does It Cover?
This is the exciting part! The EY Bursary helps ease the financial burden:
- Academic Merit Bursary: This covers a portion of your tuition fees.
- Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary: This is a more comprehensive package, potentially covering tuition fees, accommodation, books, and even meals, depending on your needs.
But wait, there’s more! Beyond the financial support, successful bursary recipients will sign a training contract and commit to working for EY for a minimum of three years after completing their qualification. This means a guaranteed path to professional experience and a fantastic start to your CA career!
How to Apply?
Think this is your chance? Don’t miss out! Here’s how to apply for the EY Bursary for 2026:
Head over to the official EY application portals, depending on your current student status:
- For Matric Students: EY Bursary Application 2026: Matric Students
- For University Students: EY Bursary Application 2026: University Students
When you apply online, make sure you have clear, certified copies of these documents ready to upload (combine them into a single PDF document if possible):
- Your ID document
- Your Matric certificate (if already completed)
- Your full academic record, including your 2025 mid-year results
- Proof of university registration (if already studying)
- Your 3 months bank statement
- Parents’ or guardians’ proof of household income (latest payslips or an affidavit if unemployed) – only if applying for the financial need bursary
- Your latest fee quote from the university
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A compelling Motivational Letter explaining why you deserve this bursary
Remember, submitting all required documents correctly is super important, so double-check everything before hitting that submit button!
Mark your calendars! The closing date for the EY Bursary 2026 is **31 October 2025**. Make sure your application is in well before this date to be considered!
Got questions? You can reach out to EY directly via their contact page: https://www.ey.com/en_za/connect-with-us
If becoming a Chartered Accountant with the support of a global leader like EY sounds like your dream come true, then don’t wait — apply now! This is an incredible opportunity to jumpstart your career and secure your financial future. Good luck, and keep exploring more amazing bursaries right here on Bursaries Room!