The inclusion of tertiary education in the Sustainable Development Goals highlights its potential role in global development. This study reviews the evidence to understand the impact of tertiary education on building graduate skills and knowledge, contributing to economic growth, poverty reduction, equitable relationships, generating new knowledge, enhancing professional skills, strengthening institutions, and promoting a strong civil society. The research findings indicate that tertiary education plays a critical role in all these areas and development cooperation can support its effective implementation. The study's limitations include the focus on English-language literature and the potential for publication bias. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the research evidence on the role of tertiary education in development and highlights the need for continued investment in this area.
