Employability of international postgraduate taught students in the UK: a systematic literature review using PRISMA

One-year postgraduate taught programmes in the UK attract global talent through high-quality education, yet the employability and career pathways of these students remain understudied despite their recognised vital economic and cultural contributions. Amid the UK's higher education financial crisis, marked by funding cuts, staff layoffs, rising costs, and reliance on international student recruitment, this study employs the PRISMA 2020 framework to systematically review literature (2014–2024) on international postgraduate taught student employability. Analysing 13 studies from Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, the findings reveal gaps in tailored sector-specific career and employability support, access to employment development opportunities and work-integrated learning practices, and culturally sensitive language support. The limited number of available studies highlights the need for further research, particularly in STEM-related subjects of study and among African and Indian Subcontinent students, to address systemic barriers and enhance employability support in a shifting academic and geopolitical landscape.