South African universities may welcome a new bursary path for aspiring Chartered Accountants.
The Auditor-General of South Africa invites eligible learners and graduates to apply for the AGSA Bursary Programme for 2027, supporting studies at SAICA accredited universities. Recipients are expected to complete articles with AGSA after graduation as part of a professional CA training pathway. The bursary targets students from matric level through postgraduate CTA studies.
Bursary Programme Overview
The program is overseen by the Auditor-General of South Africa. It targets students pursuing Chartered Accountancy qualifications at SAICA accredited universities. The initiative aims to combine academic study with practical auditing experience.
It supports both undergraduate and postgraduate trajectories through to the CTA stage. The scheme emphasizes a structured training path that blends classroom learning with real world audits. Recipients should expect a seamless transition into articles upon graduation.
Fields Of Study Funded
Eligible study routes include BCom Accounting CA stream, Bachelor of Accounting CA stream, and BCompt. These programmes are designed to prepare students for professional CA practice. The bursary explicitly supports the CA stream pathways.
Applicants must be enrolled or intending to enroll at a SAICA accredited university for Chartered Accountancy qualifications. Priority is given to learners who demonstrate commitment to CA qualifications. Applicants should ensure their chosen university is SAICA accredited.
What The Bursary Covers And Benefits
The financial package may cover tuition fees, campus accommodation, meals and prescribed books. In some cases allowances may apply for study materials not listed. Payments are coordinated to align with the academic calendar and university billing.
Additional perks include career focused development and access to a SAICA accredited training environment. Recipients gain practical workplace experience and ongoing professional development opportunities. They are exposed to governance practices and accountability frameworks.
Work Back Requirement
After graduation, bursary recipients are required to complete their articles through a training contract with AGSA. This work back commitment anchors the funding in a formal CA training path. It ensures graduates gain hands on experience within the public sector audit environment.
The arrangement ties the financial support to a defined professional route, guaranteeing time in a training contract after studies. It reflects AGSA’s aim to nurture skilled auditors who understand governance and accountability in public finance.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be South African citizens. They may be in Matric or have completed Matric. They must be studying full time toward an approved Chartered Accountancy qualification at a SAICA accredited university.
Academic thresholds vary by current year of study and final year applicants must have CTA acceptance as part of the process. The scheme seeks candidates with a clear commitment to the CA pathway and strong scholastic records. Prospective bursars should ensure they meet the year specific benchmarks.
Required Documents And Application Process
Applicants should prepare identity documents, Matric results, and where applicable a CTA acceptance letter. Supporting documents must be uploaded as PDFs and should not exceed 2MB. Where a document is not yet available, applicants can submit their latest completed results.
Applications are submitted online via the AGSA bursary portal. Applicants should ensure all compulsory documents are uploaded before submission. The deadline for applications is 15 October 2026.