Series 38 of the quiz show University Challenge began on 7 July 2008[1] and was broadcast on BBC Two. This is a list of the matches played, their scores, and outcomes.
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Broadcast Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hull | 230 | City University, London | 7 July 2008 | ||
| Corpus Christi College, Oxford | 330 | Durham University | 14 July 2008 | ||
| Royal Veterinary College | 215 | University of York | 21 July 2008 | ||
| University of Surrey | 170 | 185 | University of Warwick | 28 July 2008 | |
| Queens' College, Cambridge | 205 | St George's, University of London | 4 August 2008 | ||
| University of Exeter | 195 | 150 | Pembroke College, Oxford | 11 August 2008 | |
| Selwyn College, Cambridge | 180 | St Anne's College, Oxford | 18 August 2008 | ||
| London School of Economics | 220 | University of Bath | 25 August 2008 | ||
| St John's College, Cambridge | 185 | 220 | Lincoln College, Oxford | 1 September 2008 | |
| Murray Edwards College, Cambridge | 260 | University of Sheffield | 8 September 2008 | ||
| University of Southampton | 190 | University of Brighton | 15 September 2008 | ||
| King's College, Cambridge | 180 | 190 | University of Edinburgh | 22 September 2008 | |
| University of Bristol | 285 | University of Manchester | 29 September 2008 | ||
| Exeter College, Oxford | 190 | University of St Andrews | 6 October 2008 | ||
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Broadcast Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St John's College, Cambridge | 325 | Pembroke College, Oxford | 13 October 2008 | ||
| King's College, Cambridge | 225 | University of Surrey | 20 October 2008 | ||
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Broadcast Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London School of Economics | 270 | Selwyn College, Cambridge | 10 November 2008 | ||
| University of Manchester | 280 | University of York | 17 November 2008 | ||
| St John's College, Cambridge | 345 | King's College, Cambridge | 24 November 2008 | ||
| Corpus Christi College, Oxford | 295 | University of Edinburgh | 1 December 2008 | ||
| Queens' College, Cambridge | 205 | University of Warwick | 8 December 2008 | ||
| Lincoln College, Oxford | 280 | University of St Andrews | 15 December 2008 | ||
| City University, London | 185 | University of Brighton | 22 December 2008 | ||
| University of Sheffield | 175 | University of Exeter | 5 January 2009 | ||
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Broadcast Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | 210 | London School of Economics | 12 January 2009 | ||
| Lincoln College, Oxford | 335 | Queens' College, Cambridge | 19 January 2009 | ||
| Corpus Christi College, Oxford | 350 | University of Exeter | 26 January 2009 | ||
| St John's College, Cambridge | 265 | City University, London | 2 February 2009 | ||
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 | Broadcast Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | 345 | Lincoln College, Oxford | 9 February 2009 | ||
| Corpus Christi College, Oxford | 260 | St John's College, Cambridge | 16 February 2009 | ||
The 2009 series produced the two lowest team scores since the programme was revived by the BBC in 1994. 15 points were achieved by the University of Exeter in the third quarter-final against the later disqualified Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and 30 points were scored by Lincoln College, Oxford in a semi-final against University of Manchester. In the Exeter v. Corpus Christi match, Corpus Christi captain Gail Trimble answered a record fifteen starters correctly, leading to much interest on internet forums and in the popular press.
James Archer of King's College, Cambridge was questioned by police after wearing an RAF surplus jacket on the show—in combination with a dyed red mohican haircut—had prompted several complaints from viewers. Archer had obtained the jacket legally, and no further action was taken.[3]
The final, between Corpus Christi College and Manchester, was broadcast on 23 February 2009. Before the final, press coverage focused on the Corpus Christi captain, Gail Trimble, who had gained an exceptionally high proportion of her team's points. In the final, which was watched by more than 5 million viewers, the show's highest audience share since at least 2001,[4] [5] Trimble scored 125 points in the last four minutes to lead her team to what appeared at the time to be a clear victory.[6] She was described in the British press as the "human Google",[7] and by a defeated contestant as a "relentless juggernaut of intellectual Blitzkrieg".[8]
A few days after the final was broadcast the BBC undertook an investigation into the eligibility of Corpus Christi team member Sam Kay, after it became evident that he had graduated in June 2008, before the filming of the quarter, semi-final and final matches, despite telling viewers he was studying chemistry.[9] Kay left Corpus Christi after failing to get funding for his PhD and at the time of the final was working as an accountant.[10] The captain of the Manchester team, Matthew Yeo, rejected calls for a rematch of the final.[11] However, in a statement on 2 March 2009, the BBC and the programme's makers, Granada, stated that:[2]
"The University Challenge rules on student eligibility are that students taking part must be registered at their university or college for the duration of the recording of the series. Whilst obviously not intending to, Corpus Christi broke this important rule where other universities and colleges taking part adhered to it. We therefore find ourselves in the regrettable position of having no choice but to disqualify Corpus Christi from the final. This means they forfeit their hard-fought title which now goes to the Manchester University team."
Another member of the Corpus Christi team, James Marsden, criticised the BBC decision. He stated that the rules were ambiguous and did not state that students had to be registered at their college for the duration of filming.[12] Gail Trimble was subsequently reported as saying that Corpus Christi, rather than Manchester, still had the trophy, "gathering dust somewhere".[13]