The Landmark Partnership Announcement

On March 12, 2026, NCC Education, a venerable UK awarding body established in 1966 and regulated by Ofqual, announced its accreditation partnership with Rajitlal Institute of Technology & Health Sciences (RITHS), now operating as Rajitlal Institute of Management Sharjah (RIMS) in the UAE. This collaboration marks a significant expansion for RITHS into the UAE higher education market, enabling the delivery of internationally recognized British qualifications right in Sharjah. The partnership underscores the growing appeal of UK credentials in the region, where demand for flexible, globally portable education pathways is surging amid UAE's ambitious Vision 2031 goals for knowledge-based economic growth.

RITHS, a not-for-profit institution with roots in India since 2003, launched its Sharjah campus in 2025 under the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) license C2025057. Located in the vibrant Al Majaz 2 district overlooking the Corniche, the campus offers a modern learning environment tailored for business and computing aspirants. A spokesperson from RITHS highlighted the strategic fit: “NCC is one of the oldest awarding bodies in the UK with Ofqual approval. This will be highly beneficial for our students, providing pre-planned articulation routes alongside UK university qualifications for academic and career progression.”

Understanding RITHS: A Transnational Education Pioneer

Rajitlal Institute of Management Sharjah (RIMS), formerly known as RITHS, has evolved from a specialized provider of engineering and business programs in India to a global education hub. Over 22 years, it has empowered thousands of students through industry-relevant curricula emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and practical skills. The UAE expansion in 2025 positions RIMS as a key player in Sharjah's dynamic higher education scene, home to institutions like the University of Sharjah and American University of Sharjah.

RIMS's mission is to bridge academic knowledge with real-world application, preparing diverse learners for competitive job markets. Its partnerships with UK entities ensure qualifications are Ofqual-regulated, guaranteeing quality and international mobility. For UAE residents, expats, and regional students, RIMS offers an accessible alternative to studying abroad, aligning with the UAE higher education market's projected CAGR of 19.92% through 2033. Explore higher education opportunities in UAE or check higher ed jobs to see demand.

NCC Education: Delivering British Qualifications Worldwide

NCC Education specializes in Ofqual-regulated diplomas in business and computing, equivalent to the first two years of UK bachelor's degrees. These programs emphasize transferable skills, digital literacy, and global business acumen, making them ideal for UAE's tech-driven economy. With over 100 university progression partners globally, NCC opens doors to top-up degrees without relocation.

In the UAE context, where British qualifications are highly valued for employability— with UK degrees often commanding premium salaries—NCC's portfolio addresses rising demand. Recent trends show UAE students prioritizing employability, with 97% factoring it into university choices. RIMS's accreditation enhances local access, supporting UAE's goal of empowering Emirati talent through international standards.

Key Qualifications Available at RIMS Sharjah

RIMS will deliver a suite of NCC programs tailored for entry-level to advanced learners:

• Level 3 Diplomas: International Foundation Diploma for Higher Education Studies (L3IFDHES), Diploma in Business (L3DB), Diploma in Computing (L3DC)—pre-university bridges building foundational skills.
• Level 4 Diplomas: Equivalent to Year 1 of UK degrees, covering core business principles, IT fundamentals, with specialisms like Computing with Business Management (L4DC BM).
• Level 5 Diplomas: Year 2 equivalents, advanced topics in entrepreneurship, cybersecurity (L5DC CS), data science (L5DC DS), regulated for direct top-up entry.

These step-by-step pathways start with assessments of prior learning, followed by modular study (e.g., database development, network security), culminating in portfolio projects. For UAE students, this means earning UK credentials locally, reducing costs by up to 50% compared to UK study.

Seamless Progression to Full UK Degrees

Completion of Level 5 diplomas grants direct entry to online top-up degrees via Western International College Online (WINC), awarded by institutions like the University of Salford or University of Greater Manchester. Examples include BSc (Hons) Business Management Top-Up and BEng (Hons) Software Engineering Top-Up. This 1-year final stage leads to full honours degrees, recognized worldwide.

NCC's network spans 80+ universities, offering flexibility for UAE learners to progress onsite or abroad. In Sharjah, this supports local talent retention, vital as UAE aims to double GDP via skilled workforce under Vision 2031.

Strategic Benefits for UAE Learners

• Affordable access to premium UK quals without visas or relocation costs.
• Flexible delivery blending online/offline, suiting working professionals.
• High employability: UK business/IT grads see 90%+ placement rates regionally.
• Cultural relevance: Programs incorporate UAE business contexts, global policy.
• Inclusive: Open to diverse ages/backgrounds, with personalized support.

For expat families in Sharjah, RIMS provides continuity in British-style education. Visit higher ed career advice for tips on leveraging these quals.

Integration with UAE's Higher Education Vision 2031

UAE Vision 2031 prioritizes human capital via innovation, digital skills, and international partnerships, positioning the nation as an education hub with 9 universities in QS Arab top 25. RITHS-NCC aligns perfectly, offering future-ready quals in high-demand fields like cybersecurity amid UAE's AED 141.8B higher ed market.

Sharjah's ecosystem, with international ties (e.g., University of Sharjah-Dundee partnership), amplifies this, fostering employable graduates for sectors like fintech, logistics.

Sharjah: A Hub for International Higher Education

Sharjah boasts a robust landscape with University of Sharjah (top-ranked regionally), focusing on research/innovation. RIMS complements this with vocational UK pathways, addressing skills gaps in business/IT where UAE sees 8.6% ed market CAGR.

International partnerships abound, from UK dual degrees to global MoUs, making Sharjah ideal for RITHS's entry.

Boosting Employability in UAE's Job Market

UK quals from NCC enhance resumes, with alumni securing roles in Dubai/Sharjah firms. Business diplomas cover leadership/finance; computing ones cybersecurity/data—fields with 20%+ growth in UAE. For career starters, check faculty jobs or university jobs.

Stakeholders note 87% of intl students prioritize employability training, met here via industry projects.

Campus Experience and Student Support at RIMS

Overlooking green spaces, RIMS offers modern facilities, career guidance, employer networks. Contact: +971 50 496 0480. Personalized advising ensures success, with inclusive policies for Emiratis/expats.

Photo by Ed Us on Unsplash

Future Prospects and Expansion Horizons

RITHS plans to broaden offerings, potentially adding tourism/health quals, aligning with UAE's diversification. As intl ed exports hit records, this partnership positions Sharjah as a British quals gateway.

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