About Thuthuka Bursary 2026
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) established the Thuthuka Bursary Fund in 2005 to support talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are in pursuit of becoming Chartered Accountants CA(SA).
If you’re passionate about accounting but lack financial resources, this opportunity could change your life.
What the Thuthuka Bursary Covers
This is not just a bursary – it’s a full support programme designed for success:
- Tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation & meals
- Academic support (extra classes, tutorials, study workshops)
- Social & emotional support
- Work-readiness & life skills training
- Mentorship from qualified CAs and industry leaders
- Dedicated programme managers
- Counselling and personal development
👉 This “wrap-around” support is why Thuthuka students often outperform their peers.
Who Can Apply?
You qualify if you:
- Are a South African citizen
- Are Black African or Coloured
- Are:
- In Grade 12, OR
- Out of school for no more than 2 years, OR
- Already studying a CA-stream BCom degree
- Achieved at least 60% in Mathematics (NOT Maths Literacy) in Grade 11
- Have applied (or are applying) for a BCom Accounting (CA-stream) at a university offering Thuthuka
- Come from a household earning R350,000 or less per year
- Have written or will write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) before end of August
About NBTs (National Benchmark Tests)
The National Benchmark Tests Project (NBTP) was launched in 2005 by HESA and later becoming self-funded in 2018, aims to evaluate students’ academic and mathematical readiness for higher education. Its core goals are to assess entry-level skills, examine how school results relate to university performance, support institutions with student placement, and aid curriculum development.
The National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) complement NSC results by providing additional insight into students’ abilities. There are two main tests: the Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) test, which measures readiness for academic study and problem-solving using real-world quantitative information, and the Mathematics test, which assesses knowledge of high school-level mathematics.
Writing these tests will optimize your chances of being selected for the programme.
List of Universities offering Thuthuka:
The following Universities are the only universities working with Thuthuka:
- Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
B Com Accounting (Course code 40103) - University of Free State (UFS – Bloemfontein Campus)
Bachelor of Accounting (Course code BC636060)
PGCA (Course code BC656060) - University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Bachelor of Accounting (Course code BCA012) - Stellenbosch University (SU)
B Com Accounting/B Rek (Course code 3091001) - University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN – Westville Campus)
Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting (code BCOM-C) - University of Pretoria (UP)
Accounting Sciences (Course code 07130044) - University of Cape Town (UCT)
B Com (Course Code CB024)
PGDA (Course Code CG010ACC01) - North West University (NWU – Potch Campus)
B Com CA (Course code 5DAH01-E302) - University of Witwatersrand (WITS)
B Acc Science (Course Code CB008) - Rhodes University (RU)
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) - University of Fort Hare (UFH)
B Com Accounting (Course Code 60001) - University of Western Cape (UWC)
(Course Code 1021 or 1753) - University of Limpopo (UL) – CTA only
PGDA [Post Graduate Diploma in Accountancy]
Thuthuka is more than funding – it’s a career launchpad into the accounting profession. You’ll graduate not just with a degree, but with:
- Strong academic performance
- Real-world exposure
- Professional networks
- Career readiness
Pro Tips
Apply as early as possible and make sure your NBT results are submitted on time – this is a critical requirement.
Apply to at least 3 Universities, one of the Universities must be closest to your home.
Ready to launch your career as a CA?
Head over to the official Thuthuka site and apply:
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Listed by Youth Opportunities SA · Source: Thutuka Bursary Fund · Always apply through official channels. Youth Opportunities SA does not charge any application fees.
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