FAQs

The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) is the leading and most accredited registered private provider of higher education in South Africa. It is responsible for the academic governance and quality assurance of all programmes delivered through the campuses of its educational brands, which include The IIE’s Vega School.

The IIE is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education provider and is part of ADvTECH Ltd, a public company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The IIE is internationally accredited with The British Accreditation Council. This important achievement demonstrates that our standards are world-class and guarantees students complete confidence about the value of their qualifications. The British Accreditation Council is an independent authority in the UK that accredits private providers in the UK and in other countries such as Greece, Switzerland, Singapore, India, Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates.

Yes, an IIE degree is of the exact same standard as one found in any public university or private institution. The IIE qualifications at Vega have a strong focus on brand leadership and management, brand strategy, innovation and creative brand communication design.

It is our unique purpose to produce IIE graduates who are able to design and create original strategic solutions for brand challenges in business and society.

It is important to note there is no such thing as blanket "international recognition" for any academic institution as this would imply that all countries and all other institutions have somehow validated the qualifications of one university or higher education provider. Internationally, higher education institutions make their own rules about whose qualifications they accept. There are agreements between countries to mutually recognise the quality assurance systems but, in the end, it comes down to the preference of specific institutions.

What is possible is that an institution has met the requirements of an accrediting or recognition body in another country, or that it has a relationship with another institution, or that its qualifications are given some credence, because the countries have an agreement.

In our case, The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) is accredited as an international higher education centre by the British Accreditation Council, which is the body that accredits private higher education in the UK. This is in addition to our local accreditation and registration. That means we have been assessed and found to offer higher education at both the required South African and UK standards. This provides an additional stamp of approval.

All countries have clearing houses to approve international qualifications. In South Africa this work is done by SAQA. If you are presenting a South African qualification overseas, the institution or employer will first check with SAQA that the qualification is registered here. They will then compare curriculum and outcomes and ascertain your likelihood of coping in that system. Our graduates have, to date, moved with ease into international institutions or employment with our qualifications, but it takes – for us and everyone else – some effort to put the evidence together as each place has their own requirements.

Student orientation is the start of your academic journey at IIE-Vega where essential general and course specific information will be shared. The date specific to your programme will be provided when you register. Attendance at student orientation is highly recommended and we look forward to seeing you there!

Upon registration your Relationship Navigator will guide you on the process to apply for module credits on the student hub. Deadline dates for module credit applications are on the student hub.

Should you qualify for any module credits, you will receive a confirmation letter which you need to send to your Finance Navigator to process the fee credit.

IIE-Vega does not require a portfolio as part of the application process to study a higher certificate or undergraduate degree in design. That’s because our primary focus is on how our students think and how collaborative they are as creative solution seekers. The development of an industry-ready portfolio becomes a core focus once you enrol and engage hands-on with any one of our design programmes.

You are welcome to make an appointment with one of our Contact Navigators if you are unsure which design course would suit you best. Ideally you should attend one of our GenV workshops at a IIE-Vega campus to explore the different programme outputs.

A unique discipline that is suited for those who love words, writing, creative communication – and have a curiosity for human behaviour. These fields all form the backbone of exciting, original and memorable brand communications. If you are a gifted storyteller, endowed with an unlimited imagination as well as the courage to create brave ideas, this might be the career opportunity you have been seeking.

The IIE BA in Creative Brand Communications with core discipline Copywriting explores critical thinking and creative writing to develop strong copywriting skills. It focuses on fostering crafting capabilities required to produce meaningful concepts and strategic messages for brand communication solutions.

Firstly, the qualifications are different.

According to the IID (African Institute for the Interior Design Professions - http://www.iidprofessions.org.za/join-the-iid/membership-categories/ to register as a professional decorator, you need adhere to the following requirements:

“Any person who has obtained a minimum 1-year full time qualification from an accredited educational institution and a minimum of 5 years practical experience, or who has been practising for a minimum of 6 years and has satisfied the National Council of their professional competence and suitability and by compliance with the requirements set out in the application form.”

To register as a professional interior designer, you need to have obtained a minimum 3-year full time diploma or degree from an accredited educational institution.

Secondly, the extent of the design required for an interior space differs, in that each client will have specific needs and requirements.

If you need to change an existing room or space by adding furniture, accessories, new paint or flooring, then you will choose a decorator for the job. If you are building a new house, started a new company or are launching a new store and require someone to plan and design the space, then an interior designer is the best person for the project. Interior designers consider not only shaping the aesthetics but are also responsible for consideration of the technical aspects of a space (including overseeing the services required such as lighting, ventilation and drainage).

In a nutshell, interior designers can be interior decorators, but not the other way around.

Similarly, architects can be interior designers, but interior designers cannot practice as architects.

Both qualifications serve the purpose of deepening the understanding of a field of study, both are 120 credit programmes at NQF level 8 and both qualify for entry to masters study, depending on students’ results. However, the IIE post graduate diploma at Vega is aimed at students with degree or diploma studies in fields other than business, marketing and communication. Both the IIE Post Graduate Diploma in Brand Contact Management and BA Honours in Strategic Brand Communication available at Vega equip students with the mind and skillset required to pursue a career in strategic brand communication planning.

IIE-Vega does not provide student accommodation. However, we can suggest accommodation options in the surrounding residential areas close to your campus of choice.

Each qualification has a specific equipment list that will be provided before registration each year. Please consult this list, available from one of our Contact Navigators, before investing in any equipment.

Any course of study bearing fewer than 120 credits (normally a year) is a short learning programme or short course – these are not accredited and cannot be registered. If what you need is a particular skill for a particular reason (like promotion) a short course may be the right course of study for you – it is just important to know that it is not a qualification and cannot usually be used to gain access to further study at a higher level.

A National qualification or South African qualification has to be registered and accredited in South Africa – by the Higher Education Quality Committee and it needs to be on the National Qualification Framework.

Depending on the course you will either receive a certificate of attendance or a certificate of assessment and attendance.

Bursary-Academic (NSC award) 

Any student registering for their first year of study with The IIE, who achieved a National Senior Certificate pass with an average of 80% across six subjects qualifies for a bursary of R5000. The NSC award may not be used in conjunction with an Academic Scholarship. Should the student have more than three selected electives, the best of the three will be considered. (Please note that the NSC award excludes Life Orientation).
To complete your Bursary-Academic (NSC award) application, please attach your Grade 12 results or equivalent qualification.

The Aggregate Distinction Award

Any student who, in the previous academic year, obtained a 75% aggregate for any IIE Full-Time or Part-Time Contact Qualification qualifies for an academic award of R5 000 in respect of tuition fees only. Students are required to be registered for a full complement of modules, and if in the final year of completion, this must be a minimum of six modules. Any student who attended lectures in the previous academic year and obtained a 75% aggregate, across a minimum of six modules for any Part-time Qualification offered in the Distance mode, qualifies for an academic award of R2 500 in respect of tuition fees only.
You do not need to submit an application for this Bursary Category as this will automatically be processed for students that met the criteria.

Bursary-Leadership

Leadership bursaries are awarded to any prospective undergraduate, contact student who assumed a senior leadership role at the school they matriculated from. These students must be registered for a full complement of subjects/modules and must be attending lectures at The IIE’s Vega School. This is a one-year bursary and is not renewable. This bursary is not available to students enrolling for post-graduate studies.
To complete your Bursary-Leadership application, please upload letter from Secondary school, stating your roles and duties (letter must be signed & stamped by the school)

Bursary-Family Loyalty

This is awarded to any student, who has an immediate family member who is concurrently studying at The IIE’s Varsity College/Vega/MSA. The value of the bursary is 5% of the qualification tuition only, that each student is registered for in the current academic year, provided the account payer is the same individual or company. The calculation amount will not include the cost of the academic material. This applies to both full time and part time students on contact or distance programmes.
To complete your Bursary-Family Loyalty application, you are required to include proof that you are family (upload ID copies for both family members studying, as well as ID copy of the Account Payer or Company sponsor letter)

National Sports Club Bursaries

Bursaries are available to students who are interested in becoming a member of one of our competitive sports clubs and have achieved a high level of sporting performance. Bursaries are awarded depending on the positional and transformation requirements of each sports clubs.
To complete your application for this category, please submit the following documentation:

•  If you have already been awarded a bursary – upload your Bursary Confirmation Letter
• If this is the first time applying for a bursary – upload the following documents:
  •    Bursary Application Form
  •    Sporting CV – 2024 achievements
  •    Supporting Evidence – letters from federation confirming your selection to a national/provincial team

Discretionary Sport Bursaries

Students who have achieved National Senior Protea colours in 2024, however preference is given to students participating in sporting disciplines whereby The IIE’s participate in the USSA (University Sport South Africa) Championships.

To complete your application for this category please submit the following documentation:

• If you have already been awarded a bursary – upload your Bursary Confirmation Letter
• If this is the first time applying for a bursary – upload the following documents:
  •    Bursary Application Form
  •    Sporting CV – 2024 achievements
  •    Supporting Evidence – letters from federation confirming your selection to a national/provincial team

Conditions

1. While more than one category may be applied for, the maximum amount per student per year is up to 20% of the programme fees except for Sports Club, where the values may be higher. This rule may not apply to scholarships – a student on a scholarship is not eligible for another bursary.
2. Please note applications will not be considered if they are not received by 1 March 2025 for all programmes, and if they are not accompanied by the necessary documentary evidence (e.g., testimonial, exam results, letter on sports union letterhead, etc.)
3. All bursaries are subject to approval and will be processed to your student account after registration has been finalised.
4. You are required to make the necessary payment due at the point of registration to proceed.
5. Should you already be in possession of a bursary or scholarship approval letter, you may select the pay later option and make payment via direct EFT using your student number as reference, the amount due at registration less the approved bursary/scholarship amount. 

There are products provided by external organisations which are subject to their application processes. Applications are not guaranteed and it is recommended that you continue to apply for more than one funding option with sufficient time before The IIE’s Vega registration cycle is closed.

Student Hero: Need the financial assistance to take that next step towards securing your tertiary studies? We are supported by Student Hero. Student Hero is a finance facilitation service that can easily connect you to banks and financial service providers through a single platform. What does this mean? At no cost to you, Student Hero will approach multiple financial institutions with the aim of securing finance at the best terms for you, on your behalf. To learn more, click here.

Payment options:

Full Settlement: This is a discounted option should full payment of the tuition fees be received upon registration.
Terms: This option is for the tuition fees to be settled over a period of months, equal monthly instalments via debit order on the 1st, 15th or 25th of the month.

Payment methods:

• Payment via the registration portal (preferred)
• Debit order
• Direct deposit or EFT into the Vega bank account
• Swiping your debit or credit card at campus
• Paying on the IIE-Vega website

International Payments:

International payments may be processed either via your local bank using the swift code ABSAZAJJ to the IIE-Vega banking details or you can start the payment process at https://iie-vegaschool.flywire.com

The pre-registration fee is due on acceptance of the offer. The pre-registration fee is non-refundable but is part of the total tuition fee.

The registration fee is due at registration, on completion of your IIE-Vega registration contract.

The registration fee is non-refundable except in the following cases:

• Should you not meet the entrance requirements (subject to any pending results)
• If you do not receive a valid study permit in the case of international applicants.

Please refer to the terms and conditions of the registration contract for further details.

Tuition fees do not cover text books. Prescribed textbooks and additional equipment need to be bought from third party suppliers, and we will supply you with a list of recommended suppliers.

Are the online programmes delivered entirely online?

Yes, all learning, interaction, support and assessment (except for exams) take place through our online learning platform, VegaLearn. Exams are written at one of The IIE’s 21 campuses in South Africa or another approved exam centre. Should a student not be based near an IIE campus, they need to apply to write at another venue once they have registered.

Will I have to be online at set times?

There are real-time sessions at set times where you have the opportunity to engage with your online module tutor and peers – these sessions are not compulsory but are highly recommended. The sessions are recorded should you be unable to join the live session and to enable students to refer back to the content at any time. A schedule with real-time session dates and times is provided when you register to enable you to diarise these sessions upfront. These sessions tend to be in the evenings to accommodate online learning demands.

Can I collaborate with other students?

Yes, and this is encouraged! Upon registration you are assigned to a peer group to assist you in forming a study groups, to exchange insights and to enrich one another’s learning experience. Many of the online tasks and activities require discussion and interaction with other students.

Can I choose which modules I want to do?

A structured rollout schedule enables online students to complete the degree in four years. Students need to register for their modules in line with this rollout. The schedule is designed to afford students the best possible chance of success in their online studies.

What happens if I can't do any work for a couple of weeks because of home or business pressure?

The beauty of online learning is that the material is always there, and any real-time sessions are recorded, so this facilitates any catching up that is needed and allows for a level of flexibility in your study planning. Assignments and exams have set dates, so you need to plan around these. It’s always a good idea to create a study plan for the semester. We provide student pacers that assist with your personal planning.

For requests such as uncollected certificates, certificate reprints, or confirmation of syllabus, please click here.