Applications are now closed for University Challenge Series 32. We hope you'll consider applying next year, applications will open in Autumn 2025.
Do you love quizzing, or just shouting answers at the TV from your sofa? Why not apply for University Challenge!
University Challenge is a UK TV quiz show where teams of university students compete, answering questions on a wide range of subjects, from literature to music to sport.
We look for five OU student quizzers each year to be a part of Team Open, to hopefully represent The Open University on University Challenge.
If you’re unsure about applying, take a look at this video from contestants from the 2021/22 series, and have a read of team member Mike's experience of being a part of the 2023 team on The Hoot.
How does the process work?
-
Applications are usually open for a few weeks in October/November of each year. The application form consists of some questions about yourself and why you want to apply to represent The Open University on University Challenge.
-
The next round is specialist-subject online quizzes and a general knowledge online quiz (the specialist subjects are Arts and Culture, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Maths). All eligible applicants will be sent quizzes to complete. The questions we use are provided by the University Challenge team and are the same style as questions as on the TV show (if you would like to see some example questions please get in touch with us at oustudents-community@open.ac.uk).
-
The final round is an online audition with fellow applicants. The audition usually starts with several questions where applicants can ‘buzz in’ to answer the questions, and then ends with a few questions to answer in small groups. The audition is held on Microsoft Teams with a small group of students. We will make sure everyone is happy with how the audition will work at the start of the audition and you'll have an opportunity to try 'buzzing in'. We aim for the audition to be a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
-
The final team will then be selected and notified. The team will need to complete their team application for ITV and may be invited to an interview by the production team. If successful at the interview, they may then be invited to filming. The OU Students Association will support the team in preparing for the interview and filming, if applicable.
Please note this is just a guide, and the process may be adapted for future team recruitments.
If you have any queries, please email us at oustudents-community@open.ac.uk.
Still not sure whether to apply?
Perhaps some feedback from previous applicants might persuade you!
-
"Loved the process and was amazed to get through to the online audition, will be applying again next year, it's a personal confidence boost. Thank you." (2024 applicants survey)
-
89% would ‘Definitely’ recommend the process to fellow OU students, with 11% selecting ‘Maybe’ (2023 applicants survey)
-
70.7% agreed with the statement “I feel taking part has made a positive contribution to my student experience” (2023 applicants survey)
-
“It was a fun experience but it also gave me a chance to meet fellow students. The online audition in particular was good fun and a confidence booster, even though I was ultimately unsuccessful” (2023 applicants survey)
-
“It was really good fun, made all the better by making the team” (2023 applicants survey)