BBC confirm University Challenge return date

The new series of University Challenge is set to air on Monday, July 17th, with new host Amol Rajan asking the questions for the very first time.

Amol Rajan:

“We’re back! I’m so excited to watch along with audiences and relive this wonderful series. And what a wonderful series it is, with thrilling finishes and standards as high as ever.”

One of the UK’s toughest quiz show returns to BBC Two and iPlayer later this month. Yes, University Challenge is back with a new look and new host.

With 28 new student teams tackling questions on everything from aromatic compounds to Zeno of Citium. The new series of University Challenge is set to air on Monday 17 July, with new host Amol Rajan asking the questions for the very first time.

The show has a new look, with a new set and title sequence, but its time-honoured format remains the same. Heralded by the familiar theme tune, viewers can expect fast-paced, highly competitive matches fought between some of the nations most knowledgeable students, accompanied by the inimitable voice of announcer Roger Tilling.

The teams will as always be playing on behalf of universities and university colleges from Aberdeen to Southampton, including one of the UK’s smallest and newest universities, making its competition debut.

New host Amol Rajan will become only the third person to present the main series of the programme in its 61-year history, and will bring his own distinctive approach to the role. Under his watch, matches will be fast, fiercely fought, and full of energy, even in the face of some of the show’s most difficult questions yet.

Amol Rajan is a broadcaster for the BBC, presenting Radio 4’s flagship Today programme alongside his prime-time interview show called Amol Rajan Interviews. Rajan hosts BBC podcasts on subjects such as Education, Climate Change, Fairness and Population. He also makes current affairs documentaries, with his most recent series being How to Crack the Class Ceiling.

University Challenge returns to BBC Two on Monday, July 17th.