Are you a South African student dreaming of becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA [SA])? The Auditor‑General of South Africa (AGSA) offers a bursary programme exclusively for CA‑stream students. This blog post explains how to apply, what’s covered, eligibility criteria, what to expect, and top tips to build a successful application.
1. What Is the AGSA Bursary?
The AGSA bursary programme supports full‑time studies toward Chartered Accountancy qualifications—specifically BCom Accounting (CA stream), Bachelor of Accounting CA, or BCompt, at a SAICA‑accredited university
- Covers tuition fees, accommodation (or meals/living allowance), and books up to set limits
- Requires recipients to serve articles or enter a training contract with AGSA after graduation, typically for three years, as part of a legal service agreement
- Should an applicant abandon the training contract, the bursary must be re-paid immediately, and legal action may follow
2. Who Can Apply?
Citizenship & Field of Study
- Must be a South African citizen.
- Must be enrolled or intending to enrol full‑time in a CA‑stream qualification at a SAICA‑accredited university
Academic & Grade Criteria by Stage
- Matric applicants (starting 1st year in 2025): Must have university exemption, ≥60% in Maths (not Literacy) and ≥60% in English in Matric
- First‑year students (applying to advance into 2nd year): ≥60% in Financial Accounting, and ≥60% Maths & English in Matric
- Second‑year students (entering 3rd year): ≥60% in Financial and Management Accounting, and registered in CA‑stream programme
- Final‑year students (entering CTA): Must have ≥55% in all core modules, be accepted into CTA, and entering postgraduate studies in 2025
Personal Attributes
- Strong English proficiency, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrable leadership potential, drive, and commitment to succeed
3. Key Dates & Deadline
- Application period typically opens early August and closes mid‑September to mid‑October a.
- For the 2025 academic year, the closing date was 15 October 2024–applications after this date were not accepted
- Start your application well in advance to avoid last‑minute issues.
4. What the Bursary Covers
AGSA bursary funding includes:
- Full tuition fees
- University accommodation with meals or a living allowance
- Books or book allowances
This generous support is designed to allow students to focus fully on studies, without the financial burden of tuition and essential academic resources
5. Application Requirements & Documents
Online Process
- Applications must be submitted online via AGSA’s bursary portal
- Each applicant must register a profile, then upload documents in PDF format, each not exceeding 2 MB—if you upload incorrectly, the system may delete the file and force you to re-upload
Mandatory Supporting Documents
Matric applicants:
- Certified copy of ID
- Certified copies of Grade 11 final results and Matric mid‑year results
- University acceptance letter on institutional letterhead
First‑year students:
- Certified ID and Matric certificate
- Full academic record (institution letterhead)
Second‑year students:
- Certified ID
- Full academic record (institution letterhead)
CTA (final‑year applicants):
- Certified ID
- Full academic record
- CTA acceptance letter
If certain documents are unavailable, submit your latest highest completed academic results
6. Selection Process
Application Screening
- AGSA reviews eligibility and completeness of submitted documents.
Shortlisting & Testing
- Qualifying applicants may be shortlisted and invited to complete:
- Written assessments (reasoning, financial scenarios)
- Group exercises or interviews
- Situational judgment tests focused on ethics and public service alignment
Final Notification
- Successful applicants receive an offer, training contract details, and an orientation schedule.
- Once confirmed, bursary recipients will be integrated into the AGSA training contract regime in order to complete their articles or CTA training with AGSA
7. Responsibilities & Conditions
Service Commitment & Surety
- Bursary recipients must serve a three‑year training contract (articles) with AGSA.
- Applicants must provide a surety—usually a parent or guardian—even if over 21, to safeguard AGSA’s interests in case of breach of contract or inability to serve articles
Academic Progress
- Failure of a course that prevents progression will result in bursary suspension for a year.
- If the same level is failed again, the bursary is cancelled, and funds paid become repayable.
- If failure does not impede academic progression, bursary continues but excludes funding for failed modules agsa.co.za.
Medical or Personal Reasons
- If you cannot continue your studies due to illness, you must submit:
- Medical documentation
- A supporting letter from the university allowing your study suspension
8. Benefits of the AGSA Bursary
- Full financial coverage: academic and living essentials
- Guaranteed training contract: career advancement and CTA articles
- Public-sector experience: gain insight into government auditing practice
- Networking & development: build professional relationships within AGSA
- Leadership opportunity: AGSA invests in future public finance leaders
Serving your articles at AGSA also positions you well for a career in either the public or private sector, with experience in government auditing seldom matched elsewhere.
9. Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Apply early: Don’t wait until the deadline to register and upload documents.
- Submit professional, well‑formatted PDFs (≤ 2 MB).
- Tailor your CV and motivational letters to show your dedication to public-sector accountability.
- Highlight leadership, academic excellence, and community involvement.
- Ensure accuracy, especially in context of percentages and results.
- Keep copies of everything you submit—just in case of system deletion or technical issues.
10. Final Thoughts
The AGSA bursary is a prestigious opportunity for aspiring Chartered Accountants committed to public service in South Africa. With full coverage for tuition, accommodation, books, and strong career pathways via training contracts, it’s a compelling route into the world of public finance auditing and governance. Acting early, meeting strict criteria, and applying with purpose and preparation will maximise your chances.
Although the 2025 application deadline was 15 October 2024, keep an eye out for the 2026 opening period (usually August to October). Regularly check AGSA’s official bursary portal for updates and ensure you are ready when applications open.
Are you interested in tips for your motivation letter or help preparing your documents? I’d be happy to assist!