Soft skills development methods in higher education: a systematic literature review

Purpose The systematic review adheres to the methodology outlined in the practical guide by Petticrew and Roberts (2006). Following this approach, research questions were initially formulated, as detailed in the introduction section. Subsequently, databases were selected, and research terms were defined. The search, conducted in September 2023, encompassed five databases, excluding medical or health sciences education. Design/methodology/approach This systematic literature review paper comprehensively examines studies on soft skill development methods in higher education published from 2010 to 2023. Findings Findings unveiled a discernible surge in research interest in soft skill development, particularly in Hong Kong (China) and Morocco, alongside a global representation. The engineering discipline emerged as the predominant focus in the examined studies. In terms of the methods employed for soft skill cultivation, prominent approaches included project-based learning, blended learning, cooperative education, experiential learning, e-learning and volunteering. Originality/value A notable gap in the existing literature is the absence of a review that synthesizes different soft skill development methods. The current study aims to fill this gap by providing a holistic overview of various soft skill development strategies, contributing a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of soft skill development.