Abstract

Social and emotional competence (SEC) is increasingly recognized as an important factor contributing to the academic success, well-being, and lifelong development of university students. This article reviews and synthesizes empirical studies published between 2010 and 2026 on the role of SEC in higher education. The findings indicate that SEC is positively associated with academic achievement, student engagement, mental health, life satisfaction, and career readiness. The review also identifies existing limitations in the development of supportive learning environments and the implementation of teaching practices designed to foster SEC among university students. Based on the evidence, the article proposes a multi-tiered support model to promote the systematic development of SEC within Vietnamese higher education.

Keywords: Social and emotional competence, higher education, well-being, student engagement, career readiness.