A team of University of Strathclyde students has qualified for the second round of BBC Two quiz show University Challenge, after winning its first televised contest.

The students won 205-45 against Harper Adams University in Shropshire in the match, which was broadcast on Monday 29 September.

They displayed their knowledge of subjects including the Euro 2024 men’s football tournament, the works of Salvador Dalí, women in the Bible, the Lake District and physicist Emilio Segrè. At one stage of the match, Strathclyde was 70-0 up. 

The team facing questions from host Amol Rajan were captain Jack Stirling, who is studying Chemical Engineering, Matthew Johnston, studying Chemistry, Kate Lochrie, studying Diplomacy and International Security, and Mechanical Engineering student Tom McHugh. 

Positive manner

Jack said: “We are all extremely delighted to have made it through the first round and represent Strathclyde in such a positive manner. We put in a lot of hard work, especially on the starter questions, and the support we received from the University was a massive help in our preparation.

The experience as a whole was very rewarding, and we would definitely encourage other students to apply for future series of the programme. 

Strathclyde was selected as one of only 28 teams to reach the televised stages. This is the sixth time in nine years that the University has made this stage of the quiz.