Insurance Underwriter – NQF Level 5
QCTO Learnership
Course overview
The Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter is designed to prepare learners to operate as professional insurance underwriters across short-term, long-term, and medical insurance environments. Learners will gain the knowledge and skills to evaluate and interpret risk information, price and manage insurance risks, and ensure compliance with operational, administrative, and legal requirements. The programme equips learners with both technical underwriting expertise and practical exposure, ensuring they are ready to make equitable underwriting decisions while protecting the interests of all stakeholders. This qualification also provides an opportunity for those already working in the field to formalise their competencies through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and supports progression into more specialised areas such as Marine, Engineering, and Liability underwriting.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:
A Qualified Learner Will Be Able To:
Entry Requirements
- A National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or equivalent qualification at NQF Level 4.
- Learners with relevant workplace experience may gain access through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as per QCTO guidelines.
International Comparability
The South African qualification compares favorably with similar programmes internationally:
- Ireland: The Certificate in Insurance Practice offered by the Insurance Institute of Ireland (via IT Sligo) shares similar modules in risk assessment, underwriting practice, and insurance principles.
- Canada: Diplomas in Business (Insurance) from Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Fanshawe College include comparable content on risk analysis, liability, underwriting, and insurance law.
Both countries emphasise the same core competencies: evaluating applications, determining premiums and coverage, ensuring compliance, and preparing underwriting reports.
This comparability confirms that the South African qualification meets global standards in scope and complexity.
Occupational Trainer – NQF Level 5 Certification
- Occupational Certificate: Insurance Underwriter
- NQF Level 5, 163 Credits
- Accredited through QCTO with INSETA as the Assessment Quality Partner.
Potential Career Opportunities
Successful learners will be equipped for roles such as:
Learning Options
- Structured Learning: Delivered by accredited training providers, combining theoretical instruction with practical application.
- Workplace-Based Learning: Includes exposure to operational procedures, risk assessment, legal compliance, and equitable underwriting decision-making.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Available for experienced practitioners to gain certification through assessment of prior knowledge and skills.
- Assessment: Learners must complete formative assessments and an External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) conducted by a QCTO-registered assessor.
Course Details:
