Moonstone Business School of Excellence’s Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance (HCSTI) could be just the key you need to unlock career opportunities in the fast-changing insurance landscape.
Launched in 2022, this accredited qualification equips graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to become an Insurance Licentiate (LIISA) professional, representative, or insurance practitioner.
And as top 2023 HCSTI graduate Kylie van Zyl will tell you, the course is also an excellent way to get to grips with insurance terminology and fundamental principles.
Van Zyl is the head of legal at the Moolman Group. The company provides a comprehensive and professional approach to the development of property, as well as project and property management.
Van Zyl’s duties include overseeing the insurance property portfolio. This entails placing or renewing insurance policies every year, facilitating the claims process, administrating all the aspects relating to insurance internally, and communicating with company stakeholders.
“I realised that my knowledge was limited and decided to enrol for a course in short-term insurance to master the terminology and basic principles of insurance,” Van Zyl says.
Phindile Lushaba is another 2023 MBSE graduate who excelled at her HCSTI studies. Lushaba works as an underwriting team manager at Aon SA.
“My motivation for enrolling in the course was to upskill, broaden my insurance knowledge, and upgrade my qualification,” Lushaba says.
The HCSTI consists of six compulsory models: fundamentals of insurance, risk management, personal insurance, commercial insurance, legal framework, and claims management and underwriting.
Van Zyl describes the course as integrated and structured in such a way that each module leads into the next. She says the risk management module and the claims management and underwriting module were particularly insightful.
“I learnt new concepts and could have discussions at our offices regarding risk management and claims management and how to better our own processes.”
Lushaba says the modules spoke either directly to her present job requirements or the career path she aims to pursue.
“Fundamentals of insurance, risk management, personal insurance, and claims management and underwriting relate to my current work responsibilities and commercial insurance help me with the information regarding the class of business I would like to grow into,” she says.
Van Zyl says that except for a few administrative hiccups towards the end of her studies, she would recommend the course for its high standard of content and the valuable contribution received, particularly the theory and basics of insurance.
“The content and case studies were relevant and, where possible, used real-life scenarios, for example, insurance in respect of solar systems, something that is quite topical at the moment.”
She adds that MBSE’s lecturers were on hand to assist when she had any queries.
“The lecturers are also very helpful and responsive to any and all queries, whether it is related to the content of the module or the administration of examinations.”
Lushaba says she too would recommend MBSE and the HCSTI qualification.
“I love the studying flexibility and the study material is easy to understand together with the assistance of the lecturers.”
To find out more about the qualification and to apply, click here.
Students who complete the HCSTI (NQF 5) will:
- have a basic understanding of the key terms, rules, concepts, and principles of the non-life insurance field and accompanying legislative requirements;
- be able to identify clients’ needs through a comprehensive risk analysis process; and
- be able to develop a risk management plan to mitigate, avoid, or manage the identified insurance risks.
The entry-level qualification is approved by the FSCA as a recognised qualification for FAIS Fit and Proper purposes in all short-term product sub-categories for Category I FSPs. Upon completing the qualification, a student will be eligible to apply for a Licentiate (LIISA) designation with the Insurance Institute of South Africa.
On completion of the full qualification, students may also apply to receive a letter of completion for the following Class of Business training per Board Notice 194 of the FAIS Act:
- Short-term Insurance: Personal Lines
- Short-term Insurance: Commercial Lines
The Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance is one of five accredited qualifications offered by MBSE. The others are:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8)
- Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6)
- Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer (NQF 6)
- Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5)
Applications for the first semester of 2024 close on Monday, 29 January.
Apply today at www.mbse.ac.za.
For more information, contact us at help@mbse.ac.za.
