Moonstone Business School of Excellence (MBSE) has opened applications for its full suite of qualifications for the 2026 academic year, urging prospective students to take advantage of two year-end opportunities: early access to course material for those who pay their 2026 qualification fees before the holiday break, and a 50% discount on Class of Business (COB) modules until 31 December.
Although qualification applications remain open until 26 January next year, students who settle their fees early can accelerate their start.
Payments that reflect on or before 15 December unlock access to the first learning materials from that same date. Payments reflecting after 15 December will activate access immediately upon receipt, while payments made during the institution’s closure period from 22 December to 5 January will be processed once its offices reopen on 5 January.
According to Monique Brummer, MBSE’s operations manager, early access can offer a significant head start for students planning to manage their studies alongside work demands in the new year.
“We know December is a busy period, but it’s also an opportunity,” Brummer said. “If students choose to secure their place and gain early access now, they give themselves the space to enter 2026 with confidence and momentum. Our team is committed to supporting them every step of the way.”
Career-aligned qualifications for financial services professionals
MBSE continues to position its programmes around distinct career outcomes across the financial services value chain.
- Higher Certificate in Short-term Insurance (NQF 5) – Designed for those entering or advancing in the short-term insurance sector, this qualification prepares graduates for roles ranging from broker to underwriter. It is approved by the FSCA for FAIS Fit and Proper purposes and meets the education requirement for the IISA Licentiateship (LIISA) designation.
- Higher Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) – Recognised by the FSCA for FAIS purposes, this qualification provides the foundation for careers in financial advice and leads to eligibility for the REGISTERED FINANCIAL PRACTITIONER (RFP) designation awarded by the FPI.
- Advanced Certificate in Financial Planning (NQF 6) – This programme deepens knowledge of taxation, legislation, and financial planning principles. It is aligned with the FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVISOR (FSA) designation and provides a pathway to the PGDip in Financial Planning through MBSE’s Recognition of Prior Learning process.
- Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer (NQF 6) – Tailored for those aiming to enter or advance within compliance, risk, and regulatory roles, this qualification reflects the growing demand for governance expertise across the industry.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (NQF 8) – As the underlying education requirement set by the FPI, the PGDip prepares graduates for the CFP Capstone Course and Financial Plan Assessment, the final steps toward earning the globally recognised CFP designation.
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Financial Management (NQF 7)– This qualification, launched earlier this year, bridges the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study. The BCom, fully accredited for online delivery, aligns with the CIMA framework and offers flexibility for both full-time students and working professionals seeking a comprehensive grounding in financial management, ethical practice, and digital workplace readiness.
Brummer notes, the programme was created in response to evolving industry needs.
“We teach the theory but also show students how to apply it using real-world tools,” she said. “Our aim is to ensure our graduates are as employable as possible.”
COB modules half-price until 31 December
In a parallel year-end offer, MBSE has cut prices on its full suite of nine COB modules by 50% until 31 December. The promotion allows advisers, representatives, and financial services employees to complete the product-specific competence requirements set out in the FSCA’s Fit and Proper framework at a reduced cost.
The discount applies to all nine modules:
- Short-term Insurance: Personal Lines – A full overview of individual-client short-term insurance products, fee structures, risks, and regulation.
- Short-term Insurance: Commercial Lines – Focused on business risk, underwriting, claims, compliance, and servicing commercial clients.
- Long-term Insurance – Covers life, investment-linked and retirement products, regulation, asset classes, taxation, and client-need assessment.
- Investments – Product characteristics, fees, risks, legislation, taxation, and portfolio construction relating to retail investment and pension-linked products.
- Short- and Long-term Deposits – Examines deposit products of both durations: structure, regulation, fees, risks, and suitability for clients.
- Pension Fund Benefits – Retirement fund products, group risk benefit options, legislation, and advice for retirement planning.
- Structured Deposits – Training on structured deposit products: their features, costs, legislation, taxation, and suitability assessment.
- Health Services Benefits – Focuses on medical schemes and health benefit products, regulatory environment, and how health cover fits into a client’s financial plan.
- Forex Investments – Foreign exchange investment products: fee/risk profiles, regulatory frameworks and suitability assessment in the financial services context.
Each module, normally priced at R760 (including VAT), is available for R380 (including VAT) with the use of the coupon code MOON50COB.
COB training must be completed prior to rendering financial services for the relevant product categories, and MBSE notes that waiting until early 2026 may leave professionals at a disadvantage. Enrolling before year-end enables practitioners to meet competence obligations and step into the new year prepared.
A decade-strong online learning environment
MBSE continues to enhance its digital learning model, with students benefiting from structured support that includes regular live sessions, lecturer access during office hours, and on-demand explainer content. Both full-time and part-time study options are available across all programmes.
Brummer emphasised the school’s flexible approach.
“We offer as much flexibility as possible while still providing a strong support structure.”
Visit www.mbse.ac.za for more information or contact MBSE at help@mbse.ac.za.
