KPMG invites qualifying South African students to apply for the KPMG Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 October 2026
Study Location: SAICA-accredited universities in South Africa
KPMG Bursary Programme 2027
KPMG has opened applications for its 2027 bursary programme for students pursuing qualifications leading to registration as Chartered Accountants South Africa, commonly referred to as CAs(SA).
The bursary supports students registered for full-time Chartered Accounting studies at universities and programmes accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
KPMG offers two bursary categories:
- Pure Merit Bursary
- Merit Bursary with Financial Need
Applicants must first apply for a KPMG training contract before completing the bursary application.
Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: KPMG
Programme: KPMG Bursary Programme 2027
Supported field: Chartered Accounting
Professional designation: CA(SA)
Study mode: Full-time
Institution requirement: SAICA-accredited university
Bursary categories: Pure Merit and Merit with Financial Need
Closing date: 30 October 2026
Application method: Online
Fields of Study Covered
The KPMG bursary is available for students pursuing qualifications that lead to the Chartered Accountant South Africa designation.
Applicants must be registered for a:
- SAICA-accredited Chartered Accounting degree.
- SAICA-accredited Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting.
- SAICA-accredited Accounting Sciences qualification.
- Certificate in the Theory of Accounting.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.
- Honours or CTA programme recognised by SAICA.
- Another approved qualification leading towards CA(SA) registration.
Applicants should confirm that both their university and specific academic programme are accredited by SAICA.
Types of KPMG Bursaries
KPMG offers two bursary options based on academic performance and financial circumstances.
Pure Merit Bursary
The Pure Merit Bursary is awarded primarily according to academic performance.
It is intended for high-performing students who require financial assistance but may not need full funding.
Applicants for this category must demonstrate a consistently strong academic record throughout Matric and university.
Merit Bursary with Financial Need
The Merit Bursary with Financial Need considers:
- Academic performance.
- Household financial circumstances.
- The applicant’s ability to attend university without financial support.
Applicants must provide detailed evidence of household income, expenses and financial need.
KPMG will determine which bursary category is most appropriate for each successful applicant.
Bursary Value and Duration
KPMG reserves the right to determine:
- The value of the bursary.
- The expenses that will be funded.
- The length of the bursary award.
- Whether an applicant receives a Pure Merit or Financial Need bursary.
- Whether funding will be renewed.
Continued funding will depend on satisfactory academic performance and the availability of bursary funds.
The exact bursary amount was not specified in the information provided.
Training Contract Requirement
Successful bursary recipients will be required to enter into a KPMG training contract after graduation.
The training contract provides the practical workplace experience required as part of the pathway towards qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
Applicants must therefore complete the KPMG training-contract application before applying for the bursary.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Have completed Matric.
- Be studying full-time.
- Be pursuing a SAICA-accredited Chartered Accounting qualification.
- Be registered at a SAICA-accredited university.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Complete their qualification within the minimum prescribed period.
- Meet the academic requirements for their current year of study.
- Apply for a KPMG training contract.
- Submit all required supporting documents.
Applicants may not divide a one-year academic programme across two years unless officially permitted by KPMG.
Matric Academic Requirements
Applicants must have achieved strong Matric results.
The supplied bursary information states that applicants must have achieved “A” symbols in Matric, excluding Life Orientation. However, it does not specify the exact number of A symbols required.
Applicants should ensure that their Matric certificate is included in the application and that their overall academic performance is competitive.
First-Year Academic Requirements
Students who have completed their first year must have achieved:
- A minimum overall average of 65%.
- A minimum mark of 70% for Accounting.
Second-Year Academic Requirements
Students who have completed their second year must have achieved:
- A minimum overall average of 65%.
- A minimum mark of 65% for Accounting.
Third-Year Academic Requirements
Students who have completed their third year must have achieved:
- A minimum overall average of 60%.
- A minimum mark of 60% for Accounting.
Honours or CTA Academic Requirements
Students who have completed an Honours or CTA year must have achieved:
- A minimum overall average of 50%.
- A minimum mark of 55% for Accounting.
Applicants must also remain eligible to progress to the next academic level.
Minimum Study-Period Requirement
Applicants must be able to complete their degree within the minimum number of years prescribed by the university.
For example, a one-year CTA or postgraduate programme should not be spread over two academic years unless KPMG has approved the arrangement.
Academic delays, repeated subjects or extended study periods may affect eligibility or continued funding.
Financial Need Requirements
Applicants seeking the Merit Bursary with Financial Need must demonstrate that they would struggle to continue their studies without financial support.
KPMG may consider:
- Combined household income.
- Employment status of parents or guardians.
- Number of dependants.
- University fees.
- Accommodation and living expenses.
- Other bursary or financial support.
- Family financial obligations.
Applicants must provide complete and accurate financial information.
Documents Required
All applicants must submit:
- A certified copy of their South African identity document.
- A certified copy of their Matric certificate.
- A certified copy of the most recent academic record or transcript.
- Proof of university registration.
- An updated university fee statement.
- A comprehensive CV.
- Any additional documents requested on the application portal.
Missing supporting documents may result in the application being disqualified.
Additional Documents for Financial-Need Applicants
Applicants applying for the Merit Bursary with Financial Need must also submit:
- Parents’ or guardians’ latest payslips, where employed.
- An affidavit where a parent or guardian is unemployed.
- Proof of pension or social-grant income, where applicable.
- Three recent bank statements for parents or guardians.
- An affidavit where a parent or guardian does not have a bank account.
- An affidavit where parents or guardians are absent from the applicant’s life.
- A recent household utility bill.
- Any other evidence requested to assess household financial circumstances.
All information must be truthful and supported by valid documents.
What to Include in Your CV
The CV should clearly include:
- Full personal and contact details.
- Matric results.
- University and qualification details.
- Current year of study.
- Academic averages.
- Accounting marks.
- Leadership experience.
- Volunteer or community activities.
- Vacation work or job-shadowing experience.
- Awards and academic achievements.
- Computer and communication skills.
Applicants should keep the CV professional, accurate and focused on Chartered Accounting.
How to Apply for the KPMG Bursary 2027
The application process consists of three main steps.
Step 1: Apply for a KPMG Training Contract
Applicants must first apply for a KPMG training contract.
After completing the training-contract application, applicants should retain the Taleo reference number issued by KPMG.
This reference number will be required during the bursary application.
Step 2: Complete the Online Bursary Application
Click here to apply for the KPMG Bursary 2027
Applicants must:
- Register an account on the KPMG student platform.
- Log in to the application portal.
- Select the 2027 bursary programme.
- Enter the Taleo reference number received from the training-contract application.
- Complete every compulsory section.
- Select the appropriate bursary category where required.
- Upload all supporting documents.
- Review and submit the application.
Step 3: Submit Supporting Documents
Applicants must ensure that all academic, registration and financial documents are uploaded before submitting the application.
Documents should be:
- Clear and readable.
- Correctly certified where required.
- Current.
- Saved in an accepted format.
- Correctly labelled.
Applicants should open each uploaded document to confirm that it is readable.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on 30 October 2026.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Students should complete the training-contract application early because the Taleo reference number is required before the bursary application can be finalised.
Important Application Advice
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You have completed Matric.
- You are studying full-time.
- Your qualification and university are SAICA-accredited.
- You meet the academic requirements for your year of study.
- You can complete the qualification within the minimum period.
- You have applied for a KPMG training contract.
- You have your Taleo reference number.
- Your academic record and fee statement are updated.
- Your financial documents are attached where applicable.
- Your application is submitted before 30 October 2026.
About KPMG
KPMG is a professional-services firm providing audit, tax and advisory services.
Its Chartered Accounting bursary programme supports academically strong students and helps develop future accounting professionals who may complete their training contracts with KPMG after graduation.