While the enrollment applications for masters degrees in China started to drop in 2007, public opinions are mixed towards such a change.

People's Daily said that fewer people studying for masters degrees may be good for the restructuring and improvement of quality education. The paper says there's no need to worry about the downward trend since the drop range is still within the normal scope. On the other hand, the drop offered a chance to stress more on the quality improvement of masters degrees to cultivate more innovative talents.

As the paper said, previously, some students were blindly following the trend in pursuing a master's degree. While some students are pursuing the degrees to engage in further academic studies, more students are intending on sharpening their professional edge in the job market.

If the cost in both time and money studying for a master's degree can no longer buy graduates the advantage in the job market, students would naturally abandon their graduate studies.

Meanwhile, People's Daily also said that employers now seem to have shifted their attitude towards masters degree jobseekers. They have realized that masters degree holders may not perform better than others. This has affected job opportunities for masters degree students. This way, the downward trend can be deemed the result of market choice.