Applications are now open for the 2026/27 series of University Challenge!

This document contains advice and information that we hope will help your institution form a team and make an application.

What is University Challenge?

University Challenge is a televised quiz competition in which teams of students take part, representing their universities or colleges. It’s produced by Lifted Entertainment (a division of ITV Studios), and broadcast on BBC2 and iPlayer.
UC is one of the oldest programmes still airing on UK television, and its rules and format have changed very little since it first aired in 1962! Each series is a single tournament, consisting of six rounds of head-to-head matches, with 28 teams taking part. Gameplay revolves around ‘starters for ten’ - questions that all players compete to answer on the buzzer, with the aim of winning their team ten points and a round of bonus questions.

What does taking part involve?

To make up a team, you need five players: four main team members, with one nominated as captain, and a reserve player, who would be able to step in to replace a main team member if they become unavailable at any point during the recording process.

The closing date for completed application forms is Friday 28th November 2025.

For any questions please contact: [email protected]