SAICA — Chartered Accountancy

SAICA Thuthuka Bursary 2026: full-cost CA bursary

Thuthuka is SAICA's flagship full-cost bursary for African and Coloured students pursuing the CA(SA) qualification — covering tuition, residence, meals, books, stipend, and a guaranteed training contract after CTA.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open Thuthuka Bursary portal
Apply on
thuthukabursaryfund.co.za
2026 closing
31 August 2026, 11:59
Coverage
Full cost + stipend + mentorship
Income cap
R350,000 household
Eligibility
African or Coloured SA citizens
Contact
011 621 6600 · tbf@saica.co.za

Who can apply

  • South African citizen
  • Black African or Coloured
  • Currently in Grade 12, completed Matric within the last 2 years, OR currently registered in a CA-stream B.Com
  • Combined household income of R350,000 or less per year (aligned to NSFAS means test)
  • Minimum 60% (Level 5) for Mathematics in Grade 11 — Mathematical Literacy and Technical Maths do NOT qualify
  • Applied to or accepted at a Thuthuka partner university for a CA-stream qualification
  • Must write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) before the closing date or submit existing results

What you'll need (certified copies)

  • SA ID document
  • Grade 11 final results and latest Grade 12 results
  • Proof of university provisional acceptance or registration on university letterhead
  • Parents' or guardians' IDs
  • Proof of household income — payslips or affidavits (for unemployed)
  • IDs or birth certificates of all household dependants
  • Signed Thuthuka consent form
  • Motivational letter (career choice + personal merit)
  • NBT registration / results

Step by step

  1. Confirm you meet the strict eligibility

    Thuthuka is heavily oversubscribed. Auto-disqualifiers: Maths Literacy or Technical Maths, Grade 11 Maths below 60%, household income above R350,000, or applying for a non-CA-stream degree. No exceptions.

  2. Apply to a Thuthuka partner university first

    Get provisional university acceptance for a B.Com Accounting (CA-stream) or B.Acc programme. The partner universities are listed below. Some universities (UP, Stellenbosch, NMU, UWC) run their own parallel Thuthuka selection process, so apply to both the university and the TBF portal.

  3. Register and write the NBT

    The National Benchmark Test (AQL and Maths sections) is required. Register at nbt.ac.za well in advance — limited testing dates.

  4. Apply on the Thuthuka portal

    Submit your full application at thuthukabursaryfund.co.za. The 2026 closing date is 31 August 2026 at 11:59 — strictly enforced. Late applications are not accepted.

  5. Submit certified supporting documents

    Every document must be certified within the last 3 months. Missing or uncertified documents are the #1 reason for rejection.

  6. Pass the selection assessments

    Shortlisted candidates attend assessments (academic, situational judgement, sometimes psychometric) at the host university. Even strong candidates can be turned down — Thuthuka oversubscribes by 10× or more.
    Tip: Thuthuka isn't just academic — they look for resilience, leadership and an articulated reason for choosing CA(SA). Practice your motivation.

  7. Sign your bursary agreement

    Successful candidates sign with the Thuthuka Education and Upliftment Fund (TEUF) and, where co-funded, NSFAS. You'll be placed into Thuthuka residences (at many campuses) and enrolled in the academic-support programme alongside your degree.

What Thuthuka actually covers

Thuthuka is a genuine full-cost ("cost-of-study") bursary with wrap-around support:

  • Tuition and registration fees
  • University residence / accommodation
  • Meals
  • Prescribed textbooks
  • Laptop (typically included)
  • Monthly stipend / living allowance
  • Extra tutorials and study-skills workshops
  • Mentoring and pastoral care
  • Counselling and life-skills training
  • Exposure to senior CAs and business leaders

It does not cover pre-existing debts or loans.

Thuthuka partner universities (2026)

  • University of Cape Town (UCT) — B.Com + PGDA
  • University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) — B.Acc Sci
  • University of Pretoria (UP) — B.Com Accounting Sciences
  • Stellenbosch University (SU) — B.Com Accounting / B.Rek
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN, Westville) — B.Com Accounting
  • University of Johannesburg (UJ) — Bachelor of Accounting
  • Nelson Mandela University (NMU) — B.Com Accounting
  • University of the Free State (UFS, Bloemfontein) — Bachelor of Accounting + PGCA
  • North-West University (NWU, Potchefstroom) — B.Com CA
  • University of the Western Cape (UWC) — Accounting Department Thuthuka stream
  • Rhodes University — B.Com Accounting
  • University of Limpopo (UL) — PGDA (postgraduate only)
  • University of Fort Hare — listed by some intermediaries

Academic requirements per university

  • Mathematics: Level 6 (70–79%) typically required for the strongest universities (Wits, UP, UCT, Stellenbosch). SAICA's minimum entry gate is Level 5 (60%) in Grade 11 Maths.
  • English: Level 4 (50%) or higher — most CA-stream universities require Level 5.
  • APS scores vary: Wits CA-stream typically needs ~44+, UCT ~480 FPS, UP ~32+, Stellenbosch ~70%+ average.
  • The host university's entry score governs — Thuthuka doesn't override university entry requirements.
  • Acceptable NBT results (AQL and Maths sections) are required.

The CA(SA) pathway — what happens after the bursary

  1. B.Com / B.Acc Accounting (CA stream) — 3 years (4 years at some institutions like Wits B.Acc Sci)
  2. CTA / PGDA — Certificate in the Theory of Accounting / Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, 1 year, SAICA-accredited
  3. SAICA training contract ("articles") — 3 years at a SAICA-accredited training office (audit firm, commerce, or public sector). Thuthuka beneficiaries who pass CTA/PGDA are guaranteed a training contract with the funding firm.
  4. Initial Test of Competence (ITC) — first SAICA board exam, sat after CTA
  5. Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) — final SAICA board exam, written after ~20 months of articles
  6. Registration as CA(SA) with SAICA

Work-back and commitment

There's no traditional cash work-back. Instead, on passing CTA/PGDA, you're placed into a 3-year SAICA training contract with the firm or sponsor that funded your studies (typically a Big Four or mid-tier audit firm, or a corporate/public-sector training office).

This articles placement satisfies your obligation to the funder and TEUF.

Common rejection reasons

  • Maths Literacy or Technical Maths (auto-disqualify)
  • Grade 11 Maths below 60%
  • Household income above R350,000
  • No NBT results submitted by deadline
  • Incomplete or uncertified documents
  • Late submission (no exceptions)
  • Not applied to a CA-stream programme at a partner university
  • Strong but not exceptional academics — Thuthuka is heavily oversubscribed; meeting minima does not guarantee award

Contact

Frequently asked questions

Does Thuthuka cover a laptop?
Most beneficiaries receive a laptop as part of the package. SAICA's headline coverage emphasises tuition, books, meals and residence — the laptop is typically included but not always listed.
Can I apply for Thuthuka if I'm already at university?
Yes — current CA-stream B.Com students at a partner university may apply, provided they're within 2 years of Matric and still meet the household income and academic criteria.
Is Maths Literacy accepted for Thuthuka?
No. Maths Literacy and Technical Maths are auto-disqualifiers. You need pure Mathematics at Level 5 (60%) minimum in Grade 11.
Does Thuthuka fund CTA/PGDA?
Yes — funding continues through the honours/CTA year at partner universities, provided you maintain academic progression.
Can White or Indian students apply for Thuthuka?
No — the bursary specifically targets Black African and Coloured South Africans as a transformation initiative to redress the historical under-representation of these groups in the CA(SA) profession.
Do I need to be accepted to university before applying for Thuthuka?
You can apply in parallel, but provisional university acceptance is required to finalise the award. Apply to your chosen partner university and to TBF at the same time.
What is the income threshold for Thuthuka?
Combined household income of R350,000 or less per year — aligned to the NSFAS means test.
Does Thuthuka guarantee a job?
It guarantees a 3-year SAICA training contract on passing CTA/PGDA — the entry route to CA(SA) registration. This is more secure than most other corporate bursary pipelines.
Can I study part-time or via UNISA on Thuthuka?
No. Thuthuka is a full-time, residential-university programme. UNISA is not a partner.
When does Thuthuka close in 2026?
31 August 2026 at 11:59 — strictly enforced. Some sources cite 31 July, so verify on thuthukabursaryfund.co.za before submitting. There are no extensions.

Related guides

How to apply for NSFAS 2026

Thuthuka often co-funds with NSFAS — apply for both.

How to apply for Standard Bank Graduate Programme

Banking-sector alternative for graduates — competitive but high-paying.

BANKSETA learnerships

Banking learnerships with their own bursary stream — alternative if Thuthuka rejected.

Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.