Series 39 of University Challenge began on 6 July 2009[1] and is currently airing on BBC Two[2]. Below is a list of the matches played with their scores and outcomes.
Schedule
The series will comprise of 37 matches[1] over five rounds, airing between July 2009 and March 2010.
Round
Dates
Matches
Change
Teams
First Round
6 July 2009 - 26 October 2009
14 + 2
28→16
28
Second Round
2 November 2009 - 21 December 2009
8
16→8
16
Quarter-Finals
4 January 2010 - 8 March 2010
8 + 2
8→4
8
Semi-Finals
15 March 2010 - 22 March 2010
2
4→2
4
Final
29 March 2010
1
2→1
2
Format
The format of the show has changed for the first time in many years. The quarter-finals will not be a straight knock-out competition but will involve a variant on the Swiss pairs format. Each of the eight teams that reach the stage will play two matches. If a team wins both then they will progress to the semi-final; if they lose both they will be removed from the show. The four remaining teams will then engage in an additional play-off round for the final two semi-final places.
Results
An asterisk (*) indicates episodes that have not yet aired.
Winning teams are highlighted in bold.
Teams with green scores (winners) will return in the next round, while those with red scores (losers) will not return.
A score in italics indicates a match decided on a tie-breaker question.
First Round
Teams with orange scores (highest scoring losers) will return in the play-offs to compete for two places in the second round.