EY Bursary opportunities are now open for ambitious South African students who dream of becoming Chartered Accountants but face financial challenges in pursuing their studies. Offered by EY (formerly Ernst & Young), one of the world’s leading professional services firms, this bursary provides a chance for top-performing learners to get the financial support they need to succeed at university.
EY Bursary Overview
- Bursary Name: EY Bursary 2026
- Provider: EY (Ernst & Young), part of the “Big Four” accounting firms
- Field of Study: Chartered Accountancy (CA) degree
- Closing Date: 31 October 2025
About EY (Ernst & Young)
EY is one of the largest multinational professional services firms in the world. It is also part of the prestigious “Big Four” accounting firms. The company was formed in 1989 after the merger between Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young & Co. However, its history goes back even further, to 1849, when Harding & Pullein was first founded.
About the EY Bursary Programme
The EY Bursary is aimed at students who want to pursue a Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification. This is one of the most in-demand professions in South Africa, with Chartered Accountants often occupying top positions in businesses, government, and financial institutions.
The bursary is awarded based on academic merit and, in some cases, financial need. It helps ease the burden of university costs, ensuring that deserving students can focus on their studies without the constant stress of financial challenges.
Types of EY Bursaries
There are two types of bursaries available for 2026:
- Academic Merit Bursary
- Awarded to students with an excellent academic record.
- Covers partial tuition fees only.
- Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary
- Awarded to students with strong academic performance and proven financial need.
- Covers one or more of the following:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Books
- Meals
Service Contract
Once you complete your degree, EY requires you to work for the firm under a training contract for a minimum of 3 years. This ensures that bursary recipients gain hands-on experience at one of the best professional services firms in the world.
What the EY Bursary Covers
Depending on which bursary you receive, you can expect financial support for:
- Tuition fees (full or partial)
- Accommodation costs (if applicable)
- Prescribed textbooks
- Meal allowances
This financial relief allows students to concentrate fully on excelling in their Chartered Accountancy studies.
Eligibility Requirements for the EY Bursary
To apply for the EY Bursary 2026, you need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
You must be a South African citizen
You must have completed Matric or be currently in Matric
You must have achieved a minimum of 4 A’s in Matric (excluding Life Orientation)
You must be studying or intend to study towards a Chartered Accountancy degree
You must be studying or plan to study at a SAICA-accredited university, such as:
- University of Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- Rhodes University
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Stellenbosch University
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- North-West University (NWU)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Limpopo
- University of Zululand
- University of Venda
- Walter Sisulu University
- University of South Africa (UNISA)
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Monash University South Africa
- Institute of Accounting Science
You must demonstrate strong accounting skills
You must provide proof of financial need (if applying for the financial need bursary)
Important: Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application not being considered.
Required Documents
When applying online for the EY Bursary, you must submit clear copies of the following documents (all in one PDF file):
- Certified copy of your ID document
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate
- Full academic record (including 2025 mid-year results)
- Proof of university registration
- Student’s 3-month bank statement
- Parents’/guardians’ proof of income (latest payslips if employed, or affidavit if unemployed)
- Latest university fee quote
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivational letter (explaining why you deserve the bursary – very important!)
Tip: Make sure all documents are neat, certified where required, and combined into one PDF to avoid disqualification.
Recommended for you: Bursary Application Checklist: Documents You Must Have
How to Apply
Applications are done online at the following links:
The EY Bursary is more than just financial assistance – it’s an opportunity to launch a career with one of the world’s leading professional services firms. If you are committed, academically driven, and dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant, this bursary could be your key to success.
