Frequently Asked Questions

The registration process for full-time and selected part-time study requires an initial application, an entrance challenge and an interview. This is to ensure that students entering Vega are successful and have the ability to cope with the demands placed on them. Vega likes to reward incoming students for their past efforts. It's for this reason that Vega has a Bright Star Merit Award for top performing students students.

Vega School, is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd  which is registered with the Department of Education as a private further and higher education and training institution under the Further Education and Training Colleges Act, 2006 (reg. no. 2009/FE07/003, prov. to 31/12/2014) and the Higher Education Act, 1997 (reg. no. 2007/HE07/002)

Regarding "international recognition" there appears to be a very common misconception prevailing, namely that qualifications obtained in one country are recognized or accepted at face value in any other country as having the same value as in the home country. This "value" is commonly expressed in terms of academic credits and the level of registration on a national qualifications framework.

Truth however, is quite different, both in respect of further study and employment. If somebody wants to enrol with Institution Y on the basis of having obtained a qualification at Institution A, Institution Y will evaluate the qualification obtained from Institution A and decide what credit, if any, it will award for that qualification for purposes of completion of its own programmes of learning. This practice, often involving a qualifications authority, is the norm both in South Africa and abroad. Moreover, no qualification is guaranteed to be fully accredited by any other institution. The credit-award decision is the prerogative of the institution concerned and is based on its view of whether the content and level of the qualification obtained elsewhere, is compatible with its own programme the prospective student wants to enrol for. In South Africa for example, a maximum of 50% of the credits of one qualification is allowed for purposes of completing another qualification except where a lower level qualification is the entry requirement for a higher level qualification.

This means that "internationally recognized" is a bit of a misnomer. Other than awareness of the reputation of a well-known, usually older, institution, "recognition" doesn't have meaning outside of the preceding context of the verification of the value of a qualification and authenticity of the certification thereof. On this basis Vega, as a division of The IIE has "international recognition"!

BA Degree in Creative Brand Communications (3 years full-time)

This programme encourages students to experiment and develop their creativity in the fields of branding, advertising and communications. In First Year students are introduced to the creative fields of Copywriting, Multimedia Design and Visual Communications (graphic design & art direction). Upon entering Second Year, students are required to choose one of these creative specializations and explore their chosen discipline in extensive detail, whilst expanding on and applying their theoretical knowledge in brand communications.

BA Degree in Brand Building and Management (3 years full-time)

This degree is designed for students wanting to pursue careers in the fields of Branding, Marketing & Advertising, its aim: to produce a new breed of thinkers that provide creative and innovative approaches to building brands. This degree will appeal to the more business-orientated Wisdomwithmagic thinker - a 21st century communicator who has the understanding and skills to launch, lead and manage brands that create successful business.

Higher Certificate in Photography (1 year full-time)

The Higher Certificate in Photography will provide students with the required competencies necessary to be effective in careers such as professional photographic assistance; photographic retail representatives; social and events photography; newspaper, magazines and publication photography; graphic and web design photography; photographic lab assistance and management.

Advanced Certificate in Professional Photography * (1 year full-time)

This specialised advanced certificate programme is aimed at individuals who already have a foundation in the basic principles of photography and wish to broaden and intensify their understanding and abilities. The programme aims to provide graduates with the skills required to establish and manage their own professional photographic practice. The premise is that students who enrol on the course are well grounded in the fundamental principles of photography, allowing the student to explore more in-depth and advanced content.

Career options are extensive in that students will specialise in a chosen field such as fashion, commercial, wildlife, landscape, portraiture or diversify into associated fields such as web-design or graphic design.

* This programme has been submitted and is subject to the approval of the Department of Education, the Council on Higher Education and the South African Qualifications Authority.

BA Honours Degree in Brand Leadership (1 year full-time or 18 months part-time)

Students focus on building and sustaining brands with competitive advantage, integrating intellectual depth and craftsmanship; cross-functional thinking and integrating real world industry input, application and experience. Graduates will enter into various marketing and communications industries with the skill and expertise to develop and build brands that add value to business and society as a whole.

BA Honours Degree in Creative Brand Communications (1 year full-time or 18 months part-time)

Students develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of Copywriting, Visual Communications or Multimedia Design. This qualification is primarily intended for application in the advertising, copywriting and design industries whereby graduates will be able to move into more senior positions as creatives.

The education and training at Vega is outcomes based, wholly integrated and highly interactive. Our approach has three golden threads: context, content and creativity. We believe that successful and innovative brand communications relies on the synergy of diverse disciplines. Students are exposed not only to the traditional building blocks of brand communications from print to electronic media, but are expected to consider alternative creative possibilities to solving all brand communication questions.

Vega is committed to connecting with the educational imbalances of the South African past, within the specific context of brand communications. We believe that insights into the histories, cultures and cultural practices of the African continent are crucial to South African communications industries. Course content and social and cultural awareness programmes aim to develop critical consciousness and cultural sensitivity.

Vega holds three national Open Days a year. Lecturers and students are available on these days to show you around the school, provide course details, application information and so forth.

Our Contact Navigators are also available to show you around the campus throughout the year, to answer any questions relating to Vega and our courses, and assist in the application process.