- Master’s Degree Now Mandatory for Jobs – Chinese Graduates
- Master’s degree becomes the new standard in China
- Post-pandemic recovery stalls amid tech and finance layoffs
By Grateful Ogunjebe
For many young Chinese graduates like Crystal, a bachelor’s degree is no longer enough to land a decent job.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- President Tinubu Pays Tribute to Late Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin
- Judiciary Leads ADR Push as Lagos Launches 2025 Settlement Week
- Trump, Brazil’s Lula Clash Over Bolsonaro Coup Trial
EKO HOT BLOG reports that after graduating in the top 10 per cent of her class at China’s elite Peking University, Crystal thought she was ready to work in top-tier tech or finance.
She had interned at tech giants like ByteDance and Rednote, and participated in high-stakes competitions organised by global consulting firms.
But two years later, the 23-year-old is back in school now studying for a master’s degree after repeated rejections from companies struggling with hiring freezes.
Across China, hundreds of thousands of graduates are facing the same fate.
The country’s slowing post-pandemic economy and ongoing crackdowns on the tech sector have made decent jobs scarce, especially for youth.
“Even with a strong résumé, interviews were rare,” Crystal told reporters, declining to give her full name out of concern for her current job.
A record number of young people are now opting for postgraduate studies, not out of passion but desperation.
Enrolments in master’s programmes have spiked by over 50 per cent since 2020, according to China’s Ministry of Education.
The crisis has been compounded by ongoing restrictions on private tutoring, real estate turmoil, and reduced global investment.
Official data shows youth unemployment hovering near 15 per cent though many analysts say the true number is higher.
In 2023, the government temporarily suspended publication of youth unemployment figures, sparking criticism about transparency.
Some critics argue that over-education is becoming a national issue, with more degrees chasing fewer jobs.
Others warn of a growing mismatch between academic qualifications and practical skills.
Meanwhile, graduates from rural areas are hit hardest, often lacking the financial resources to pursue further studies or access competitive urban job markets.
For many, postgraduate education is not a choice, but a survival strategy.
Experts say China must reimagine its job creation strategies or risk losing an entire generation to underemployment.
FURTHER READING
- Dollar to Naira Rate Today, July 8, 2025 – Official/ Black Market
- APC Members Uneasy As Ogbara Avoids Endorsing Bada In Ikosi-Isheri
- President Tinubu Pays Tribute to Late Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin
