We're proud to be on parade, say university finalists

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The students, pictured here for the first time, were speaking before the grand final, which takes place at Crystal nightclub in Marylebone in two weeks. The organiser, 121 Entertainment, and participants have faced fierce criticism over the event which campaigners have called "misogynistic".

But the finalists, who are drawn mainly from the University of London's colleges, said there was nothing wrong with taking part.

Lillian He, 18, a first-year politics and economics student at the School of Oriental and African Studies, whose family moved from America to Kuwait, said: "[Protesters] make it seem like we don't care about getting our degrees but that is wrong. I have lived in countries where you are discriminated against as a woman. This competition is positive, fun, and you get to make some really good friends."

Last year's winner, King's College, London medical student Shiva Jasseb, 26, said: "It is about personalities - whether they are interesting people."

But demonstrator Eleanor James, 23, of campaign group Miss-Ogynist University of London said: "It is not about the freedom of the individuals taking part but the way it impacts on every woman. We object to the notion of contests purely on appearance."

However, Christian Emile of 121 Entertainment, said: "We plan to take this across Britain from September. We are not going to allow a minority to bring us down."