BDO Bursary South Africa 2026

 

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – BDO

BDO is a global organisation with offices in over 150 countries, with more than 50 000 employees. Founded in 1963, BDO now routes its headquarters in Belgium and boasts an annual revenue of USD7.02 billion (according to Wikipedia statistics).

BDO South Africa Incorporated (previously known as BDO Spencer Steward) firm are an accounting, auditing and business advisory service provider who wish to help potential Chartered Accounting students to pursue their dream careers, by way of a bursary.
 

ABOUT THE BDO BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

BDO South Africa is inviting students to apply for their BDO Graduate Thrive Bursary Programme, for the 2026 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for Chartered Accountant (SA) studies. 2 types of bursaries will be awarded:
1. Merit Bursary: these are awarded based on the academic performance, holistic performance, attitude, aptitude and need.
2. Merit with Financial Need Bursary: these are awarded based on academic performance, financial situation, performance, attitude and aptitude.
 

** RELATED BURSARIES **

• View our other Accounting Bursaries and Scholarships here.
• View our other Bursaries and Scholarships OPEN for application here.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BDO BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
1. Merit Bursary:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be studying towards a Chartered Accountant (SA) qualification
• You must be currently in CTA, PGDA, 2nd Year, 3rd Year or equivalent (first attempt)
• You must be registered/ studying at a SAICA-accredited university in South Africa
• 2nd year students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 80%
• 3rd year students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 80%
• 4th year students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 75%
• PGDA/CTA or equivalent students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70%

2. Merit with Financial Need Bursary:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be studying towards a Chartered Accountant (SA) qualification
• You must be currently in CTA, PGDA, 2nd Year, 3rd Year or equivalent (first attempt)
• You must be registered/ studying at a SAICA-accredited university in South Africa
• 2nd year students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70%
• 3rd year students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70%
• 4th year students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65%
• PGDA/CTA or equivalent students: you must have achieved a minimum overall average of 60%
• You must have proven financial need

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE BDO BURSARY

Applications must be submitted online at: BDO Bursary Application

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the BDO bursary.
 

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Full academic record, including most recent results
• Parents or guardians proof of household income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ proof of pension or social grant if applicable)
• Motivational letter to support your application (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)

 

CLOSING DATE OR THE BDO BURSARY

Not confirmed – apply ASAP.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
 

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact BDO directly:
BDO South Africa Incorporated
Tel: 011 488 1700
Fax: 011 488 1783
Email: bursaries@bdo.co.za
 

Please do NOT contact the Mwelase Group of Companies if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in February 2026.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.