A career in financial services can take many directions. Some people are looking to enter the industry; others are already working in it and want to formalise their experience, meet regulatory requirements, or move into specialised roles.
Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MBSE) offers six online qualifications for people at different stages of that journey, covering financial planning, wealth management, short-term insurance, compliance, and financial management.
The qualifications range from higher certificates at NQF level 5 to an NQF 8 postgraduate diploma, with full-time and part-time study options across most qualifications. Students study online and have access to learning material, lecturer guidance, assessments, and feedback throughout their studies.
Applications for the 2027 academic year are open. The closing date for Semester 1 applications is 25 January 2027, while applications for Semester 2 close on 28 June 2027.
Here is a closer look at what each qualification offers.
Building a career in financial planning
Financial planners need to understand more than investments or retirement products. Advising clients requires a grasp of how risk, tax, estate planning, and long-term financial goals fit together.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8) is designed to develop that expertise. Its four modules cover the financial planning environment, personal and corporate financial planning, and an integrated case study. Students can complete the qualification full-time in one year or part-time over two years.
Edel Goldbach, programme coordinator for this qualification at MBSE, says the qualification equips students to advise across the different areas of financial planning.
“This qualification equips you to provide professional financial planning advice to a wide range of individual and corporate clients across financial management, risk, estate, investment, retirement and tax planning.”
It fulfils the education requirement for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) designation, awarded by the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI). Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to apply to the FPI to undertake its Professional Competency Examination, comprising a Capstone course and financial plan assessment, as the final step towards attaining the CFP® designation.
Applicants need an accredited NQF 7 qualification, although MBSE also offers a recognition of prior learning route for professionals who meet its experience and qualification requirements.
Watch the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning video
The Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6) is aimed at people who already have a foothold in financial services and want to develop their ability to provide holistic financial advice.
The qualification covers five areas: the financial planning environment, business management, corporate financial planning, personal financial planning, and a financial planning case study. It also looks at how legislation, taxation, and economic principles are applied when advising clients.
Students can study full-time over one year or part-time over two years. The qualification is approved by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) as a recognised qualification for FAIS fit and proper purposes in all product sub-categories for Category I Financial Services Providers.
Completion makes graduates eligible to apply for the Financial Services Advisor (FSA) professional designation awarded by the FPI.
Julette Wentzel, programme co-ordinator for this qualification at MBSE, says the qualification focuses on applying knowledge to the advice clients receive.
“It equips you with the ability to apply legislation, taxation principles, and economic insights to assist your clients in achieving their financial goals.”
The qualification is suited to brokers, tied agents, representatives working under supervision, financial advisers, and paraplanners looking to advance their careers.
Applicants need an accredited NQF 5 qualification, although MBSE also offers a recognition of prior learning route for professionals who meet its experience and qualification requirements.
Watch the Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning video
Getting started in financial services
People entering financial services need a grounding in the products, principles, and responsibilities involved in advising clients. The Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) provides that foundation, while also offering a route into further study.
The qualification includes four compulsory modules covering the financial planning environment, risk planning, investment and retirement planning, and tax in financial planning. Students also choose an elective in business assurance, retirement funds, or healthcare benefits.
The qualification takes one year to complete full-time or two years part-time. It is approved by the FSCA as a recognised qualification for FAIS fit and proper purposes in all product sub-categories for Category I Financial Services Providers. It also provides a pathway towards the Registered Financial Practitioner® (RFP®) designation, awarded by the FPI.
Tyrone Ford, programme co-ordinator for this qualification at MBSE, describes the qualification as a starting point for people wanting to build a career in the sector.
“The qualification equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills required to operate as an ethical and responsible professional in the financial services sector.”
It is intended not only for people entering the industry, but also for tied agents, advisers, brokers, and administrators in financial planning practices, insurance companies, banks, and retirement funds who want to deepen their knowledge.
Applicants need a National Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF 4 qualification.
Watch the Higher Certificate in Wealth Management video
Short-term insurance professionals need to understand the risks clients face and how different forms of cover respond to them. The Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance (NQF 5) develops the knowledge needed to assess those risks, identify client needs, and put appropriate risk management plans in place.
The six-module qualification covers insurance fundamentals, risk management, personal and commercial insurance, the legal framework, and claims and underwriting management. It can be completed full-time over one year or part-time over two years.
The 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 Financial Services Providers. Successful completion also provides an exemption from specified class of business training for personal and commercial lines, subject to the applicable requirements. Graduates may apply to register as an Insurance Licentiate professional member of the Insurance Institute of South Africa.
Alec Basson, programme co-ordinator for this qualification at MBSE, says the qualification focuses on the practical skills needed to assess and manage insurance risks.
“This qualification equips you with the skills to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis, identify clients’ needs, and develop effective risk management plans to mitigate, avoid, or manage identified insurance risks.”
The qualification is suitable for people entering short-term insurance, as well as existing representatives, tied agents, advisers, and brokers who need a formal qualification or want to broaden their skills.
Admission requires a National Senior Certificate or equivalent NQF 4 qualification.
Watch the Higher Certificate in Short-Term Insurance video
Developing financial and business management expertise
Financial management is about more than working with figures. It involves understanding business performance, interpreting financial information, and using that information to guide decisions.
MBSE’s BCom Financial Management (NQF 7) combines financial and business management with practical application and critical thinking. Students explore areas such as accounting, economics, business management, taxation, auditing, corporate governance, and information management.
The degree can be completed full-time over three years or part-time over five years. It is designed for school leavers interested in finance or business, working professionals seeking to advance their careers, and entrepreneurs who want to manage their businesses more strategically.
Graduates can pursue a range of roles, including financial manager, investment analyst, management consultant, tax adviser, cost accountant, risk or compliance officer, and internal auditor. The degree may also qualify graduates for exemptions from certain CIMA examinations, providing a potential pathway towards the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.
Crescencia Chifamba, programme co-ordinator for this qualification at MBSE, says the qualification combines academic knowledge with the ability to apply it in a business environment.
“This qualification combines academic theory, practical financial application, and critical thinking to prepare students for leadership in an ever-changing business environment.”
Admission requires a National Senior Certificate with bachelor’s degree admission, at least 50% in English and at least 50% in Mathematics or 70% in Mathematical Literacy.
Watch the Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management video
Building skills for a compliance role
Compliance work calls for more than an understanding of legislation. Professionals must be able to identify risks, develop and maintain compliance programmes, and understand how regulatory requirements apply in practice.
The Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer (NQF 6) combines theory with workplace experience. Delivered online over two years, it covers enterprise-wide risk management, management and change principles, compliance practice, the maintenance of compliance programmes, and the preparation of regulatory universes and compliance risk management plans.
Students complete assessments and a workplace logbook with a mentor, applying what they learn under the supervision of a compliance officer. After completing the modules, they can apply to write the external integrated summative assessment with the Compliance Institute of Southern Africa.
The qualification is approved by the FSCA as a recognised qualification for compliance officers. It is intended for people already working in compliance who want to deepen their expertise, as well as those aspiring to enter the profession under supervision.
Sihle Tshangela, programme co-ordinator for this qualification at MBSE, highlights the combination of knowledge and workplace experience.
“The qualification equips students with the skills and practical experience needed to excel in a compliance role.”
Admission requires a National Senior Certificate or equivalent NQF 4 qualification, with the specified language and mathematics or mathematical literacy results.
Watch the Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer video
Visit www.mbse.ac.za to learn more and secure your place for the 2027 academic year.
For more information, contact MBSE at help@mbse.ac.za.
