For South African students aspiring to become Chartered Accountants (CAs), the Ernst & Young (EY) 2026 CA STREAM Bursary offers a path toward a rewarding professional career. EY invests in promising matriculants and university students to support the development of future finance and accounting leaders. The bursary is more than just financial aid; it is an investment in a student’s entire journey, from academia to the corporate world, through an integrated training contract.
Overview of the EY 2026 CA STREAM Bursary
The bursary program is designed to attract top academic talent and ensure a consistent stream of qualified individuals into EY’s Training Outside of Public Practice (TOPP) program. Applicants can apply from their final year of high school (Matric) or while already enrolled at a university. The program aims to foster the next generation of CAs while promoting transformation within the profession.
EY offers two types of bursaries, each tailored to different student needs:
- Academic Merit Bursary: This is for students who demonstrate a strong academic record. It provides partial funding to cover university tuition fees.
- Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary: This covers a broader range of expenses for students who show a strong academic record and have proven financial need. It can cover tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and books.
Eligibility requirements
To be considered for the EY 2026 CA STREAM Bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be in Matric or have already completed Matric.
- Have an exceptionally strong academic record, which includes a minimum of four A symbols (Level 7), excluding Life Orientation, in your final Grade 12 results.
- Intend to study or be currently enrolled in a SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) accredited Chartered Accountancy degree.
- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a SAICA-accredited university. Eligible institutions include the University of Witwatersrand, University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, and others listed by SAICA.
- If applying for the financial need bursary, you must be able to provide proof of your financial situation.
Application process
The application for the 2026 bursary is completed online through the EY jobs portal. Follow these steps to apply:
- Access the application: Locate the specific links for Matriculants or University Students on the EY careers website.
- Compile documents: Gather all required supporting documents and merge them into a single PDF file for easy uploading.
- Complete the online form: Fill in your personal and academic details as required by the application system.
- Upload the PDF: Attach your combined PDF file containing all necessary documents to the “Additional Optional Attachment” tab.
Required documents
- Certified copy of your South African ID.
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate and academic record (for both Grade 11 and Grade 12).
- If already in university, a certified copy of your full academic record, including 2025 mid-year results.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Motivational letter explaining why you are a deserving candidate.
- Latest fee quote from your university.
- Proof of university registration for the 2025 academic year.
- Three months’ bank statements.
- Proof of household income or an affidavit if parents/guardians are unemployed (specifically for those applying for the Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary).
Selection process and career path
The selection process is rigorous and includes several stages:
- Initial review: EY recruiters and bursary coordinators review all applications and supporting documents.
- Shortlisting: Applications that meet the stringent academic requirements are shortlisted for an interview.
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for either a physical or a virtual video interview.
- Training contract: Successful candidates are offered a training contract with EY. This contract guarantees a position with the firm after graduation and is a prerequisite for receiving the bursary.
- Bursary agreement: Once the training contract is signed, the bursary agreement is finalized.
After completing their degree, bursary recipients will work at EY as part of their training contract for a minimum of three years, officially beginning their journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant.
Important dates
The application deadline for the EY 2026 CA STREAM Bursary is September 30, 2025. Candidates should submit their applications and all supporting documents well before the closing date to avoid any issues.
Hi, I’m Owen. I’m passionate about sharing the latest government aid news, benefits, and policy updates so you can stay informed and make the most of available resources. My goal is to break down complex information into clear, easy-to-understand updates that help you navigate programs and opportunities that matter to you.