Beijing-based Tsinghua University noted a growing trend among its graduates, as more than half of them prefer to work outside Beijing, a trend that has been going on for three consecutive years.
Zhang Qiguang, director of students' career development center at the university, told the Beijing Morning Post that it was much different a decade ago when 80 percent of their graduates would try to find a job and get their residence permit in Beijing, seen as an advantage to enjoy the benefits of pension, medical care, children's welfare and better facilities.
The director, however, said that between 2012 and 2014, more than 50 percent of their graduates prefer to work in other cities or in the provinces instead of Beijing.
"Nearly half of the students graduating this year have landed jobs, and it's estimated that more of them will seek a job outside Beijing," he added.
The China Daily reported that about 4,000 of Tsinghua graduates expected to look for jobs, out of the 7,000 students who will graduate from Tsinghua this year. The rest may pursue further studies, the report added.
Zhang said the reasons why many students seek jobs elsewhere may be attributed to the shift in job preferences and the city's policies on population control. He also added that the demand for a Beijing residence permit dropped in recent years.
The report cited that students leave the capital due to the high cost of living and better career opportunities in other regions.
At present, Beijing can only allow an increase of not more than 21.8 million by the end of the year, as the city population has reached 21.54 million.
The report said that Beijing plans to manage its population growth and have no more than 23 million by 2020.