If you recently completed an Accounting degree (NQF Level 7) and are still searching for your first professional opportunity, the University of the Free State (UFS) Graduate Internship Programme could be exactly the stepping-stone you need.
- Check if You Qualify for these Internships Before You Apply (Avoid Rejection)
- Check if You are Prepared for these Internships here
- Are you ready for these Internships? Take the Internship Readiness Quiz Here!
- Track Your Daily Career Score here
- Create and Download your CV for these Graduate Internships here
- Create a Motivational Letter for these Graduate Internships here
- Practise Interview Questions and Answers for these Internships Here
- Check if these Graduate Internships Match your Career Choice
- View more 2026 Internships here
UFS is offering 4 Finance Internship positions (18-month contracts) at the Bloemfontein Campus, giving unemployed graduates practical exposure to institutional finance systems, accounting workflows, and administrative operations inside a respected South African university environment.
This internship is especially valuable because it targets graduates with no prior formal work experience, which means it is designed specifically as a career entry platform rather than a mid-career placement.
Applications close 25 March 2026, and submissions must be made through the official UFS online vacancy system.
Quick Overview
Programme: University of the Free State Graduate Internship Programme 2026
Department: Finance
Location: Bloemfontein Campus, Free State
Duration: 18 months (contract internship)
Number of positions: 4
Qualification required: Bachelor’s degree or B-Tech (NQF Level 7) in Accounting
Experience required: No formal work experience allowed
Citizenship: South African citizens or permanent residents
Application method: Online only via UFS careers portal
Closing date: 25 March 2026
What the UFS Finance Internship Programme Offers Graduates
This internship focuses on building real accounting workplace exposure, not just observational learning.
Selected interns will gain hands-on experience in:
- Financial transaction processing
- Institutional accounting workflows
- Data capturing
- Account adjustments
- Handling finance-related enquiries
- Supporting administrative finance operations
Most importantly, interns will work with PeopleSoft, a widely used enterprise resource planning system in large institutions.
That experience alone significantly strengthens a graduate’s employability profile.
Duties and Responsibilities During the Internship
Interns placed in the Finance division will gain exposure to multiple accounting support functions.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Processing financial transactions on PeopleSoft
- Capturing finance-related data accurately
- Performing journal adjustments and rectifications
- Supporting account management processes
- Assisting with general finance enquiries
- Working with institutional finance documentation
- Supporting administrative accounting workflows
These are exactly the types of responsibilities employers expect from entry-level finance administrators and junior accounting assistants.
Minimum Requirements to Apply
To qualify for the UFS Finance Internship Programme 2026, applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria.
You must have:
- A Bachelor’s degree OR B-Tech degree (NQF Level 7) in Accounting
- No formal work experience
- South African citizenship or permanent residency
- Availability during working hours if currently studying
- Willingness to sign an internship agreement with UFS
- Not currently participating in another internship or learnership programme
This internship targets first-time entrants into the accounting profession.
Recommended Skills That Will Strengthen Your Application
Although not compulsory, UFS indicates that candidates with the following strengths may perform better:
- Sound knowledge of general accounting principles
- Good computer literacy
- MS Word proficiency
- MS Excel proficiency
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work in teams
- Ability to assist students and staff professionally
These are practical workplace readiness indicators employers look for when selecting interns.
Required Supporting Documents for Application
UFS clearly states that incomplete applications will not be considered, so make sure your submission is complete.
You must upload:
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Copies of qualifications OR official proof of completion
- SAQA evaluation (if qualification obtained outside South Africa)
- Copy of South African ID or passport (for permanent residents)
Important technical note:
The UFS system allows a maximum of eight attachments, so applicants should combine documents into fewer files if necessary before uploading.
Who Should Apply for This Internship
This opportunity is ideal for:
- Accounting graduates without work experience
- Recent BCom Accounting graduates
- B-Tech Accounting graduates
- Graduates seeking university administration exposure
- Candidates preparing for finance careers in government
- Applicants planning careers in institutional finance environments
If you already have formal accounting employment experience, you will likely not qualify.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the official UFS recruitment system:https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll
Applications submitted through email or third-party platforms will not be accepted.
Application Deadline and Contact Information
Closing date: 25 March 2026
Enquiries can be directed to:
Phone:
051 401 2979
051 401 9813
051 401 9848
Email:
JardineS@ufs.ac.za
Recruit@ufs.ac.za
How Edupstairs Helps You Prepare
At Edupstairs, we don’t just post opportunities—we help you win them.
Recommended Tools:
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Job Preparedness Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Edupstairs Internship / Learnership Eligibility Checker
- NSFAS Funding Eligibility Checker Tool
- SA Bursary Probability Checker
- TVET College Enrolment Eligibility Checker Tool
- Edupstairs Financial Literacy Mini-School
- Grow your Confidence – 30-day Challenge
- Edupstairs Simple CV Builder Tool
- Edupstairs AI Cover Letter Generator Tool
- Edupstairs Learnership Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Internship Application Checklist Tool
- Edupstairs Interview Q & A Coach Tool
- SA Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Quiz
- Edupstairs Learnership Stipend Calculator Tool
- Edupstairs Qualification-to-Career Pathways Tool
- South African Salary Explorer Tool
- Edupstairs Career Personality Tool
- Daily Career Score Tracker
- Learnership and Internship Readiness Quiz
Edupstairs Advice for Applicants
If you are applying for this internship, strengthen your application by:
- Updating your CV with accounting modules completed
- Highlighting Excel competency
- Mentioning any academic finance projects
- Preparing scanned certified documents early
- Practising PeopleSoft basics online if possible
- Ensuring your attachments stay within the upload limit
Because there are only four positions available, competition will be strong.
Apply early.
Career Growth Path After Completing the Internship
Graduates who complete this internship successfully often move into roles such as:
- Finance Administrator
- Accounts Clerk
- Junior Accountant
- Payroll Assistant
- Audit Support Officer
- University finance officer trainee
- Municipal finance intern positions
- SETA finance internship opportunities
Experience with institutional accounting systems increases employability significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is this internship paid?
The vacancy advert confirms a contract internship appointment. Typically, university internships include stipends, although the exact amount is not specified publicly.
- Can students apply?
Yes, but only if they will not attend classes during office hours.
- Can graduates with work experience apply?
No.
Applicants must not have formal work experience.
- Can applicants currently in another internship apply?
No.
Candidates already participating in another internship or learnership are not eligible.
- Do foreign graduates qualify?
Only if they hold permanent residency AND provide SAQA evaluation of qualifications.
- Where will the internship take place?
At the UFS Bloemfontein Campus in the Free State.
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)
No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.
Have you applied for this opportunity?
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information from the University of the Free State recruitment system. Applicants must verify details and submit applications through the official UFS careers portal before the closing date. Edupstairs is not responsible for recruitment decisions made by the employer.
EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY