During the late 1990’s, the Department of Education (DoE) embarked on a process of regulation of the South African private education system. As such, and in accordance with the then legislative requirements, Varsity College, a trading division of ADvTECH Education (Pty) Limited, was registered as a private provider of higher education with registration number 00HB08.

A subsequent amendment to the Higher Education Act, 1997 required registration in terms of the Companies Act for purposes of registration as a private provider of higher education.

ADvTECH Education (PTY) Ltd subsequently changed its name to The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Limited. The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd (IIE) is registered as a Private Higher Education Institution with the Department of Education under the Higher Education Act 1997. The Registration certificate number is 2007/HE07/002. Varsity College is a trading division of the IIE.