This　study　explores　how　two　typical　pedagogical　modes,　namely,　problem-based　and　employment-based　pedagogical　mode,　contribute　to　the　employability　of　university　and　college　students.　Based　on　analysis　of　a　total　sample　of　428　undergraduates　from　Chinese　universities　and　colleges　using　structural　equation　modelling,　the　results　show　that　students’　absorptive　capacity　was　positively　related　to　their　employability.　The　employment-based　pedagogical　mode,　considering　the　absorptive　capacity　as　a　partial　mediator,　was　positively　related　to　students’　employability.　The　problem-based　pedagogical　mode,　considering　the　absorptive　capacity　as　a　complete　mediator,　was　positively　related　to　students’　employability.　Absorptive　capacity　act　as　an　important　mediator　variable　when　the　employment-based　and　problem-based　pedagogical　mode　influence　students’　employability.　Based　on　the　findings,　specific　suggestions　and　managerial　implications　for　higher　education　policy,　manpower　training,　and　future　research　are　provided.　©　The　Author(s)　2024.