KPMG South Africa is inviting students to apply for its bursary programme for the 2027 academic year. The bursary funds full-time studies towards a SAICA accredited Chartered Accountancy CA(SA) qualification and comes in two forms: a pure merit bursary based on academic results, and a merit bursary with financial need for students who cannot afford university without support. Applications close on 30 October 2026.
About The Programme
KPMG is one of the world’s Big Four professional services firms, operating in more than 140 countries with over 275,000 employees globally. Its South African roots go back to 1895, when a public accounting practice was established in Johannesburg. Today KPMG South Africa provides audit, tax and advisory services to major companies, government entities and non-profits.
The bursary programme is part of how the firm builds its future workforce of chartered accountants: recipients are required to enter into a learnership (training contract) with KPMG after graduation, which means the bursary is effectively a funded pathway from university straight into articles at a Big Four firm, the standard route to qualifying as a CA(SA).
What Is Covered
- Funding towards your SAICA accredited CA(SA) studies, with the value determined by KPMG based on your circumstances and available funds
- Pure merit bursary: awarded on academic results only, for students who do not need full funding
- Merit bursary with financial need: awarded on academic results and proven financial need, intended to cover students who could not attend university without funding
- A guaranteed training contract (articles) with KPMG after graduation
RELATED: Northern Cape Provincial Government Bursary 2027: R120,000 Funding, Apply Now
Who Can Apply
- South African citizens who have completed Matric
- Studying full-time towards a SAICA accredited Chartered Accountancy CA(SA) qualification at a SAICA accredited university
- Strong Matric results with A symbols (excluding Life Orientation)
- 1st year completed: minimum 65% overall average and 70% for Accounting
- 2nd year completed: minimum 65% overall average and 65% for Accounting
- 3rd year completed: minimum 60% overall average and 60% for Accounting
- Honours/CTA completed: minimum 50% overall average and 55% for Accounting
- You must be able to complete your degree in the minimum number of years
- Financial need applicants must provide proof of household financial circumstances
Required Documents
- Certified copy of your ID document
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate
- Certified copy of your most recent academic record or transcripts
- Proof of university registration
- Updated fee statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- For financial need applications: parents’ or guardians’ proof of income, three months of bank statements, a recent utility bill, and affidavits where applicable
How To Apply
- First apply for a KPMG Training Contract on the KPMG graduate careers portal and note your reference number.
- Then complete the online bursary application, using the reference number from step 1.
- Upload all compulsory supporting documents. Applications with missing documents may be disqualified.
- Submit before 30 October 2026.
Apply at KPMG Bursary Application 2027
Closing Date
The closing date for the KPMG Bursary Programme 2027 is 30 October 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Why It Matters
Chartered accountancy remains one of the most reliable professional careers in South Africa, with CA(SA) holders in demand across every sector of the economy. The barrier is cost: a CA route means at least four years of expensive university study before articles even begin.
This bursary solves both problems at once, funding the degree and guaranteeing the training contract that many graduates struggle to secure. For a learner from a low-income household with strong marks in Mathematics and Accounting, the merit with financial need option is a complete pathway from Matric to a professional qualification at a Big Four firm, with no family wealth required. Very few opportunities in the country offer that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I am still in Matric?
Yes, if you intend to study full-time towards a SAICA accredited CA(SA) qualification in 2027 and meet the academic requirements. Strong Matric maths and accounting marks are essential.
Do I have to work for KPMG afterwards?
Yes. Bursary recipients are required to enter into a learnership (training contract) with KPMG after graduation, which is the articles period needed to qualify as a CA(SA).
How much is the bursary worth?
KPMG determines the value and duration of each award based on the type of bursary, academic performance and availability of funds.
Which universities qualify?
Only SAICA accredited universities and programmes qualify. SAICA publishes the list of accredited programmes on its website.
Tips To Strengthen Your Application
The two-step process catches many applicants: the training contract application on the graduate portal must come first, and the bursary application is only valid with the reference number from that first step. Do them in order and keep the reference number safe. Have every compulsory document certified and scanned clearly before you start, because the application warns that missing items may mean disqualification, and certification stamps must be recent.
If you are applying under the financial need option, gather your parents’ or guardians’ payslips, bank statements and a utility bill early, since these take the longest to collect. Matric applicants should highlight Mathematics and Accounting marks prominently in the CV. If you are already at university, check your averages against the year-specific thresholds before applying so you do not waste an application below the cut-off. Finally, remember the bursary leads into articles at KPMG: any evidence of leadership, work ethic or community involvement in your CV strengthens your case as a future trainee accountant, not just a funded student.
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