EY, formerly known as Ernst & Young before rebranding in 2013, was established in 1989 through the merger of two companies: Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Young & Co. The company has a rich history dating back to 1849 when Harding & Pullein was founded. Presently, EY stands as one of the largest multinational professional services firms globally and is a part of the esteemed “Big Four” accounting firms.

EY offers a wide range of services to businesses, including advisory, tax, assurance (that includes financial audit), and consulting services. The company’s headquarters is located in London, and it boasts a workforce of over 230,000 employees in 700 offices spanning 150 countries.

EY’s services span various industries, such as Mining & Metals, Oil & Gas, Automotive & Transportation, Consumer Products & Retail, Power & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Real Estate, Private Equity, Media & Entertainment, Hospitality & Construction, Technology, Life Sciences, Telecommunications, and Health.

EY Bursaries 2024

EY has invited students for their bursary programme for the academic year 2024.

These bursaries are designated for pursuing studies in the field of Chartered Accountancy.

EY offers two distinct types of bursaries:

1. The Academic Merit Bursary: Designed for students who have demonstrated a strong academic performance.
2. The Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary: Targeted at students with a strong academic record who are also experiencing financial need.

These bursaries are intended to cover various educational expenses:

1. The Academic Merit Bursary: This bursary will provide partial coverage for tuition fees only.
2. The Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary: This bursary may cover one or more of the following expenses, which can include tuition fees, accommodation, books, and meals, either individually or in combination.

After students have successfully finished their qualification, they will need to fulfill a work commitment with EY for the duration of the training contract, which is a minimum of 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria 

Candidates should meet the following minimum entry criteria before submitting their applications. It’s important to note that if all the prerequisites are not met, your application will not be taken into consideration.

• You must be a South African citizen.
• You should have successfully completed your Matric or currently be in Matric.
• A strong academic track record is essential.
• Attainment of a minimum of 4 A’s in Matric (excluding Life Orientation) is required.
• You must be enrolled in or accepted for a Chartered Accountancy degree qualification (3 to 4 years) and an Accounting Honours/Certificate in Theory in Accounting (CTA) program (1 year).
• You should be pursuing your studies at one of the accredited universities recognized by SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants). These universities include, but are not limited to;
  • University of Johannesburg,
  • University of Witwatersrand,
  • Rhodes University,
  • University of Pretoria,
  • University of Western Cape,
  • University of Cape Town,
  • University of Free State,
  • University of Stellenbosch,
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal,
  • North West University,
  • University of Limpopo,
  • University of Fort Hare,
  • University of Venda,
  • Walter Sisulu University,
  • University of Zululand,
  • Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University,
  • Monash,
  • UNISA, and
  • Institute of Accounting Science.
• Proficiency in accounting is expected.
• If you are seeking the Academic Merit with Financial Need Bursary, you must be able to demonstrate proven financial need.

How To Apply?

You must submit your applications online at:

For current University students: EY Bursary Application 2024 (Reference: No. 1442531)

 For current Matric students: EY Bursary Application 2024 (Reference No.: 1445160)

Documents Required

Submit copies of the following supporting documents when submitting your online application. The inclusion of these documents is mandatory, as the absence of any items could result in the disqualification of your application:

• Certified copy of your ID document
• Grade 11 final report and the most recent Matric report, if currently in Matric
• Matric certificate, if already completed Matric
• Most recent Academic Transcript, if currently enrolled in a program
• Proof of registration for the 2023 academic year, if currently studying
• University Acceptance Letter, if you are currently in Matric
• Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income (latest payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed)
• The most recent fee quote from your University
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivational letter supporting your application

Note: It is required to combine all documents into a single PDF file.

Closing Date 

The application deadline for Current University students is 31 October 2023.

The deadline for Current Matric students is  31 January 2024.

Contact Details 

If you have any questions or need information regarding this bursary programme, please get in touch with EY directly: