International students from South Asia represent a significant proportion of the international student population in Australia and the United Kingdom (UK), yet their unique challenges and contributions to employability discourses remain underexplored, particularly in relation to institutional and government policy and practice differences. Drawing on Yosso’s Cultural Wealth Framework, this study examines how South Asian postgraduate international students navigate socio-cultural and systemic barriers while leveraging their strengths to enhance employability in host universities. Using qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews with 30 South Asian international students, the study explores key employability enablers across micro, meso and macro levels. These include perceptions of degree quality, careers and employability support, and network and community links, with self-motivation emerging as a cross-cutting theme. Comparative analysis of student experiences in the UK and Australia revealed both shared enablers and context-specific differences, particularly regarding visa-related constraints and access to local networks. These findings underscore the need for universities and policymakers to develop tailored, culturally informed supports that acknowledge the diversity within the South Asian student population. Further research should explore how policy instability and systemic barriers impact employability outcomes and long-term integration for this critical student cohort.
Gupta et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: