Beyond the MBA: Does Where and How You Study Shape the Leader You Become?

Education, career development and leadership in South Africa's Corporate Non-Life Insurance sector

Is an MBA simply an MBA, regardless of where you study?.🤔

A recent conversation with a senior leader in the Corporate Non-Life Insurance industry made me reflect on something we regularly encounter in specialist recruitment: how much importance employers place on a professional's educational background.

Having studied through different institutions throughout her career, she described how learning approaches can vary, from structured academic study to experiences more closely connected to practical business challenges.

It was a light-bulb moment.💡

I've encountered decision-makers who are particularly specific about where a candidate studied. At first glance, this might seem overly particular. But this conversation helped me better understand why the learning experience behind a qualification can matter.

When two professionals hold the same qualification, have they necessarily experienced the same learning journey?

And should we pay as much attention to how someone learns as to what they study?

This is the first in a three-part series exploring qualifications, learning methodologies and career development across South Africa's Corporate Non-Life Insurance sector.

The qualification is only part of the picture🖼️

An MBA is designed to develop management, strategic thinking and leadership capabilities. In South Africa, MBA qualifications sit at NQF Level 9, but programmes can differ considerably in how they deliver that learning.

Differences may include:

• Teaching methods: Lectures, case studies, simulations, workshops and workplace assignments.
• Assessment: Examinations, research, presentations and practical business projects.
• Learning environment: In-person, online or blended delivery.
• Peer engagement: Opportunities to learn alongside professionals from different industries and leadership backgrounds.
• Programme focus: Strategic leadership, business research, entrepreneurship or organisational transformation.

 

No single approach is automatically better. The right fit depends on a professional's career objectives, learning preferences, circumstances and the responsibilities they hope to take on.

Theory versus practical application: Do we need both❓

Theoretical learning provides the frameworks needed to understand complex business challenges. Practical application helps professionals translate those frameworks into decisions, develop judgement and solve real-world problems.

Consider an experienced underwriting professional preparing to move into executive leadership.

Understanding corporate governance, financial management and business strategy is essential. Applying those concepts to portfolio profitability, underwriting strategy and organisational change adds another dimension.

The question isn't whether theory or practice matters more. It's how effectively the two come together, and which learning approach best supports the professional's intended career path.

Two business schools, different learning experiences.🎓

South Africa offers a range of MBA programmes. Two examples are Henley Business School Africa and Milpark Business School.

Both offer MBA qualifications at NQF Level 9, but their programme structures and delivery models illustrate how the learning experience can differ.

Henley Business School Africa:

Henley's Flexible Executive MBA is a part-time programme combining in-person workshops, online learning and independent study.

Its emphasis on workplace-based assignments, peer engagement and leadership development may appeal to professionals who value face-to-face collaboration and applying concepts to challenges within their organisations.

Milpark Business School:

Milpark's MBA uses an Immersive Online learning model, combining academic theory with practical business applications.

Its curriculum includes strategic management and leadership development, alongside practical learning activities. The online format may appeal to professionals seeking structured digital learning alongside demanding work commitments.

Different approaches, shared objectives.🔎

These examples illustrate differences in programme design, not differences in institutional quality or graduate capability. Prospective students should review each institution's current programme details to determine which approach best suits their needs.

It's also worth considering what employers value within a particular specialism or function. The learning experience that supports one career path may not be the same as the one that best supports another.

What does this mean for Corporate Non-Life Insurance professionals❓

As professionals progress in insurance, technical expertise increasingly needs to be complemented by broader business capabilities.

An experienced Underwriter, Claims Executive or Portfolio Manager moving towards a Head of Underwriting, Chief Underwriting Officer, COO or CEO role may need to develop skills beyond their technical specialisation.

These can include:

• Business strategy and commercial decision-making.
• Financial performance and portfolio management.
• Corporate governance and risk oversight.
• People leadership and organisational change.

 

Further education can support this transition, but the most suitable learning environment will vary from person to person.

Some professionals may prioritise workplace application and face-to-face peer engagement. Others may prefer online learning, research opportunities or greater flexibility.

The most suitable programme isn't necessarily the one with the most recognisable name. It's the one that best supports the professional's development objectives.

Five questions to ask before choosing an MBA

Before committing to an MBA or postgraduate leadership programme, consider the following:

1. How will I learn?

Explore the teaching methods, assessment formats and opportunities to apply your learning in practice.

2. What capabilities do I want to develop?

Identify whether your priorities are strategic thinking, leadership, financial management or broader business knowledge.

3. Does the programme fit my circumstances?

Consider the time commitment, delivery format and flexibility required alongside your professional responsibilities.

4. Who will I learn alongside?

Learning with people from different industries and leadership backgrounds can broaden your perspective and create valuable professional connections.

5. Is the qualification appropriately accredited and recognised?

Check the qualification's NQF level, accreditation and recognition, particularly if international career mobility is important to you.

Look beyond the qualification🥸

Working in specialist Corporate Non-Life Insurance recruitment has shown me that professionals take many different educational routes throughout their careers.

This conversation reinforced an important point: qualifications can tell us something about a person's development, but they don't tell the whole story.

Two professionals may hold an MBA at the same NQF level yet have experienced different teaching methods, assessments and opportunities to apply their knowledge.

Neither journey should automatically be considered more valuable.

Ultimately, the value of further education lies in the knowledge, perspective and capabilities developed, and how effectively these are applied throughout a professional's career.

Perhaps the better question isn't simply, "Where did you obtain your MBA?"

It's "What did your MBA experience equip you to do differently?"

I'd be interested to hear from professionals who have completed an MBA or postgraduate leadership qualification:

Did the learning methodology influence your choice of institution, and how has that experience supported your career?

This is Part 1 of a three-part series exploring qualifications and career development in South Africa's Corporate Non-Life Insurance sector.

Sources and further reading

• Henley Business School Africa – Flexible MBA
• Milpark Business School – Master of Business Administration
• Milpark Education – Immersive Online Learning
• Council on Higher Education, South Africa

 

Programme details and delivery models may change. Prospective students should confirm current information and accreditation directly with the relevant institutions. This article is intended for educational purposes and does not rank or endorse either business school.