International Graduates' Employment Outcomes after Studying in China: A Systematic Review of Career Pathways, Employability, and Contextual Factors

China has emerged as a major destination for international students, yet the employment outcomes of its international graduates remain insufficiently understood. This review synthesises existing evidence on the employment outcomes and influencing factors of international graduates from Chinese higher education institutions. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 30 Chinese and English language publications were included, and thematic analysis was employed as the primary analytical method. It indicates that as a non-traditional immigrant country, China’s institutional employment environment differs fundamentally from that of traditional Western destination countries. Graduates’ employment outcomes are highly dependent on the economic and trade ties between China and their home countries, while the employment value of Chinese degrees is highly dependent on labour market context. The findings reveal important gaps in current research and point to directions for future studies on international graduate employment in China and other emerging destinations. This review also offers practical implications for policymakers, universities, employers, and international students.