University Challenge (Season 56)

Academic quiz show where teams of students from UK universities answer questions on all manner of subjects.

  • Poster for Bristol v Imperial

    Bristol v Imperial (Episode 1)

    Air date: 2026-07-13

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: The series kicks off with a match between students from Bristol and Imperial.

  • Poster for Durham v Manchester

    Durham v Manchester (Episode 2)

    Air date: 2026-07-20

    Runtime: 28 min

    Overview: In another first-round heat, students from Durham take on defending champions Manchester.

  • Poster for University College, Oxford v St John's College, Cambridge

    University College, Oxford v St John's College, Cambridge (Episode 3)

    Air date: 2026-07-27

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: In another first-round game, University College, Oxford play St John’s College, Cambridge.

  • Poster for Guildhall School of Music and Drama v Darwin College, Cambridge

    Guildhall School of Music and Drama v Darwin College, Cambridge (Episode 4)

    Air date: 2026-08-03

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: The Guildhall School of Music and Drama makes its University Challenge debut against Darwin College, Cambridge.

  • Poster for Magdalen College, Oxford v Warwick

    Magdalen College, Oxford v Warwick (Episode 5)

    Air date: 2026-08-10

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: The heats continue, with Magdalen College, Oxford facing Warwick for a place in the second round.

  • Poster for Bath v City St George’s University

    Bath v City St George’s University (Episode 6)

    Air date: 2026-08-17

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: Teams from Bath and City St George’s University play their first game in this year's first competition.

  • Poster for Pembroke College, Cambridge v St Andrews

    Pembroke College, Cambridge v St Andrews (Episode 7)

    Air date: 2026-08-24

    Runtime: 28 min

    Overview: Pembroke College, Cambridge and St Andrews are the teams facing their first starters for ten.

  • Poster for LSE v King's College, Cambridge

    LSE v King's College, Cambridge (Episode 8)

    Air date: 2026-08-31

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: In another first round match, the London School of Economics face King’s College, Cambridge.

  • Poster for Birmingham v Leicester

    Birmingham v Leicester (Episode 9)

    Air date: 2026-09-07

    Runtime: 28 min

    Overview: The first round of the competition continues with a Midlands derby. Students from Birmingham take on a team from Leicester.

  • Poster for UCL v Royal College of Art

    UCL v Royal College of Art (Episode 10)

    Air date: 2026-09-14

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: UCL begin their series campaign against the first team ever to qualify from the Royal College of Art.

  • Poster for Southampton v Queen’s University Belfast

    Southampton v Queen’s University Belfast (Episode 11)

    Air date: 2026-09-21

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: Southampton and Queen’s University Belfast go head-to-head for a place in round 2.

  • Poster for Emmanuel College, Cambridge v Somerville College, Oxford

    Emmanuel College, Cambridge v Somerville College, Oxford (Episode 12)

    Air date: 2026-09-28

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: Teams from Emmanuel College, Cambridge and Somerville College, Oxford put fingers on buzzers for the first time.

  • Poster for Glasgow v Goldsmiths

    Glasgow v Goldsmiths (Episode 13)

    Air date: 2026-10-05

    Runtime: 29 min

    Overview: The University of Glasgow takes on Goldsmiths, University of London in the penultimate match of the first round.

University Challenge - Movie poster from The Movie Database (TMDB)