KPMG Bursary 2027 Application Guide for Students

For my students who are interested in winning an accounting bursary, I always recommend the KPMG Bursary among my top options.

I always recommend it because this bursary is a smart way to get into the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Once you are in, it makes it possible for you directly to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

I have seen students secure this bursary very early in their first year and by the time they reached CTA, their training contracts were already locked in.

What does the KPMG bursary include for 2027 applicants?

The KPMG bursary is structured to remove and reduce most of the academic financial pressure from students, but its actual value depends on your profile.

In a lot of cases, the funding package you will get will include these benefits:

1. Full or partial tuition fees paid directly to your university
2. Prescribed textbooks for your academic year
3. Accommodation and meals where applicable
4. A monthly stipend depending on need

From experience, students who are on full funding rarely need additional support, and this allows them to focus fully on their performance.

Who is eligible for the KPMG bursary in South Africa?

KPMG does not fund just anyone, they target students who are pursuing a very specific academic path.

You must be studying towards a SAICA accredited Chartered Accounting qualification.

This usually includes degrees such as BCom Accounting or equivalent.

Your academic performance must also meet some clear thresholds which include:

1. Matric applicants are expected to present strong results with multiple distinctions
2. First and second year students should maintain averages around the mid 60s or higher
3. Third year students are assessed on consistency across all modules
4. CTA students are evaluated based on readiness for board exams

Students who maintain a performance rate above 70% throughout their school years will stand out more during the selection process, so being consistent is always better than waiting till the last minute to improve your performance.

How do you apply for the KPMG bursary for 2027?

This is where many students make a lot of avoidable mistakes.

KPMG does not treat the bursary as a standalone application, it is linked directly to their graduate pipeline.

Which is why from there, the process follows a strict process. All candidates must:

1. Apply for a training contract through the KPMG careers portal.
2. Receive your application reference number
3. Use that reference to submit your bursary application

If you skip the training contract step, your bursary application will not move forward.

I have seen strong candidates filtered out purely because of this.

What documents are required for the KPMG bursary?

Your application is only as strong as your documentation.

KPMG expects everything to be complete at submission stage.

You should prepare these documents from the very beginning:

1. A certified copy of your South African ID
2. Full academic transcripts including latest results
3. Your matric certificate or statement of results
4. A detailed and updated CV
5. Proof of university registration or acceptance

If you are applying under financial need, you must also include:

6. Proof of household income
7. Supporting financial documents such as bank statements

If your application is incomplete, you may not receive any follow up requests because it will simply not be considered.

When does the KPMG bursary open and close?

The 2026 bursaries applications are now open.

In some cases, the submissions may stay open longer depending on intake needs.

However, your timing matters more than the closing date.

If you apply early, your application will be reviewed first and you will be shortlisted earlier.

Students who apply late will be left to compete for the fewer remaining spaces.

What types of bursaries does KPMG offer?

KPMG offers two main funding structures and all their candidates are always automatically assessed for both of them.

These are the two structures:

1. Merit bursary based purely on academic performance
2. Merit bursary with financial need consideration

You do not need to choose between them. Your academic results and financial background determine the category.

Students who have strong results but struggle financially will normally receive more comprehensive packages.

What happens after you receive the KPMG bursary?

This is where the long term commitment becomes clear.

The bursary is tied directly to a training contract with KPMG.

This means you are expected to complete your articles with the firm after your studies.

The selection process leading to this usually includes:

1. Initial application screening
2. Academic and profile shortlisting
3. Interview assessments
4. Final offer and contract signing

From what I have noticed, KPMG places more value on candidates with professionalism and better long term fit than just those with high marks.

How competitive is the KPMG bursary?

KPMG is among the Big Four, which immediately raises the level of competition.

Each year, thousands of accounting students across South Africa apply.

Only a small percentage move to interview stage.

Students who succeed are usually those who show:

1. Consistent academic performance across all years
2. Clear commitment to Chartered Accounting
3. Early application timing
4. Strong communication during interviews

Late improvement in your academics alone is not going to be enough because KPMG looks for consistent grade patterns and not sudden spikes.

KPMG bursary contact details

• Email: bursarysupport@kpmg.co.za
• Telephone: +27 11 647 7111
• Address: KPMG Crescent, 85 Empire Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193.

When you send an email, include your full name and application reference.

That alone can speed up your response time greatly.