Bikini test par for the course at university

Not many universities would require course applicants to pass a 'bikini test', but a Nanchang institute yesterday welcomed 95 women deemed shapely enough to enter China's first bachelor's degree programme for flight attendants.

Thousands of women from across the country applied for the four-year programme.

The lucky ones who made the short list - mostly aged 18 or 19 - were required to parade on stage in skimpy swimwear for officials of the Nanchang Institute of Aeronautical Technology's arts school.

Priority was given to applicants who were shapely and tall, a school spokeswoman said.

The university teaches courses on customer service, air safety, beauty and make-up, oral English and artistic performance, among others.

The spokeswoman said while good looks were a prerequisite, the women also had to be intelligent, so school examination results were considered during the selection process.