South African students pursuing a career as Chartered Accountants can apply for the KPMG Bursary Programme 2027. The programme is intended to support academically strong students enrolled in approved qualifications that form part of the pathway towards becoming a Chartered Accountant South Africa (CA(SA)).
The bursary is available to eligible full-time students studying at SAICA-accredited universities and programmes in South Africa. KPMG offers different bursary options based on academic merit and, in some cases, financial need. Applications for the 2027 programme close on 30 October 2026.
KPMG Bursary Programme 2027 Overview
- Bursary Provider: KPMG
- Programme: KPMG Bursary Programme 2027
- Field of Study: Chartered Accounting
- Study Mode: Full-time
- Study Institution: SAICA-accredited university
- Study Country: South Africa
- Application Method: Online
- Closing Date: 30 October 2026
KPMG provides two main bursary options:
- Pure Merit Bursary
- Merit Bursary with Financial Need
An important part of the application process is that students must also apply for a KPMG training contract.
What Does the KPMG Bursary Support?
The programme supports students pursuing qualifications that lead towards the CA(SA) professional designation.
Eligible programmes may include:
- SAICA-accredited Chartered Accounting degrees
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting programmes accredited by SAICA
- Accounting Sciences qualifications
- Certificate in the Theory of Accounting (CTA)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
- Honours programmes recognised by SAICA
- Other approved qualifications forming part of the CA(SA) pathway
Applicants should confirm that both their institution and qualification have the required SAICA accreditation before applying.
Types of KPMG Bursaries Available
1. Pure Merit Bursary
The Pure Merit Bursary focuses primarily on academic achievement. Applicants are expected to demonstrate consistently strong performance throughout their academic journey.
Both Matric and university results may be considered when assessing candidates.
2. Merit Bursary with Financial Need
This bursary considers academic performance together with the applicant’s financial circumstances.
Applicants may be assessed based on factors such as:
- Household income
- Employment status of parents or guardians
- Number of dependants
- Tuition expenses
- Accommodation and living costs
- Other bursaries or financial assistance
- Household financial obligations
Students applying under the financial-need category should be prepared to provide documents supporting their financial circumstances.
Who Can Apply for the KPMG Bursary 2027?
Applicants should generally:
- Be South African citizens.
- Have completed Matric.
- Be studying full-time.
- Be registered at a SAICA-accredited university.
- Be enrolled in a SAICA-accredited Chartered Accounting qualification.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Meet the academic requirements applicable to their current year of study.
- Be able to complete their qualification within the prescribed minimum period.
- Apply for a KPMG training contract.
- Submit all required supporting documentation.
Students must continue meeting the academic requirements necessary to progress to the next stage of their studies.
KPMG Bursary Academic Requirements
Academic performance plays a significant role in the selection process. The stated minimum requirements vary according to the student’s level of study.
Students Who Have Completed First Year
Applicants should have:
- At least 65% overall average.
- At least 70% in Accounting.
Students Who Have Completed Second Year
Applicants should have:
- At least 65% overall average.
- At least 65% in Accounting.
Students Who Have Completed Third Year
Applicants should have:
- At least 60% overall average.
- At least 60% in Accounting.
Honours or CTA Students
Applicants should have:
- At least 50% overall average.
- At least 55% in Accounting.
Applicants are also expected to have strong Matric results. The bursary information indicates that applicants should have achieved A symbols in Matric, excluding Life Orientation, although the precise number of required A symbols may vary.
Documents Required for the KPMG Bursary
Applicants should prepare the required documents before starting their applications.
These may include:
- Certified copy of South African ID.
- Certified copy of Matric certificate.
- Latest academic record or university transcript.
- Proof of university registration.
- Current university fee statement.
- Comprehensive CV.
- Additional documents requested during the application process.
All uploaded documents should be current, clear, readable, and properly certified where required.
Additional Documents for Financial-Need Applicants
Students applying for the Merit Bursary with Financial Need may also need to provide evidence of their household financial circumstances.
Supporting documents may include:
- Recent payslips for employed parents or guardians.
- Affidavit where a parent or guardian is unemployed.
- Proof of pension or social-grant income, where applicable.
- Recent bank statements for parents or guardians.
- Affidavit where a parent or guardian does not have a bank account.
- Supporting affidavit where parents or guardians are absent from the applicant’s life.
- Recent household utility bill.
- Other documentation requested by KPMG to verify financial circumstances.
Applicants should ensure that all financial information and supporting documentation submitted is accurate.
KPMG Training Contract Requirement
Students should pay particular attention to the training contract requirement.
Applicants must first submit an application for a KPMG training contract before completing the bursary application.
After submitting the training-contract application, applicants will receive a Taleo reference number. This reference number should be kept safely because it will be required when completing the bursary application.
The training contract forms an important part of the professional development pathway, giving successful candidates practical experience as they work towards qualifying as Chartered Accountants.
How to Apply for the KPMG Bursary 2027
The application process involves several stages.
Step 1: Apply for a KPMG Training Contract
First, complete the KPMG training-contract application.
After submitting the application, keep the Taleo reference number provided to you.
Step 2: Complete the Online Bursary Application
Access the KPMG student application platform and create an account or sign in if you already have one.
Select the 2027 Bursary Programme and complete all required sections of the application.
You may need to enter the Taleo reference number from your training-contract application.
Step 3: Upload Supporting Documents
Upload all required academic, registration, financial, and other supporting documents.
Before submitting, check that:
- All documents are clear and readable.
- Certified documents have been correctly certified.
- Your latest academic results are included.
- Your university fee statement is current.
- Your CV contains accurate information.
- Financial documents are attached if applying based on financial need.
Finally, review the complete application carefully before submitting it.
KPMG Bursaries 2027 Closing Date
The closing date for the KPMG Bursary Programme 2027 is:
30 October 2026
Students should avoid waiting until the final day to apply. Since the training-contract application must be completed first and the Taleo reference number is required for the bursary application, starting the process early can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Why Consider the KPMG Bursary Programme?
Studying towards Chartered Accountancy can involve significant costs, including tuition, accommodation, textbooks, and other academic expenses. Financial support can therefore make a meaningful difference to students who meet the programme’s academic and eligibility requirements.
The KPMG Bursary Programme also connects eligible students with a professional-services organisation and provides an opportunity to pursue a structured pathway towards the CA(SA) qualification.
Students who are academically strong and committed to a career in Chartered Accounting should consider applying before the deadline.
Final Reminder
Before submitting your KPMG Bursary 2027 application, make sure that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- Your university is SAICA-accredited.
- Your qualification is SAICA-accredited.
- You meet the academic requirements for your level of study.
- You have completed the KPMG training-contract application.
- You have your Taleo reference number.
- Your academic and supporting documents are ready.
- Financial documents are included if required.
- You submit the bursary application before 30 October 2026.
Meeting the requirements does not automatically guarantee funding, so applicants should provide complete, accurate, and well-prepared applications.
