University Challenge 2009–10
Series 39 of University Challenge began on 6 July 2009 and aired on BBC Two. Below is a list of the matches played with their scores and outcomes.
Schedule
The series comprised 37 matches over five rounds, airing between July 2009 and April 2010.| Round | Dates | Matches | Teams | Change |
| First Round | 6 July 2009 – 26 October 2009 | 14 + 2 | 28 | 28→16 |
| Second Round | 2 November 2009 – 21 December 2009 | 8 | 16 | 16→8 |
| Quarter-finals | 4 January 2010 – 15 March 2010 | 8 + 2 | 8 | 8→4 |
| Semi-finals | 22 March 2010 – 29 March 2010 | 2 | 4 | 4→2 |
Format
The format of the show changed for the first time in many years. The quarter-finals were not a straight knock-out competition but involved a variant on the Swiss pairs format. Each of the eight teams that reached the quarter-final stage played two matches. Any team who won both of these matches progressed immediately to the semi-final; any team losing both were eliminated from the competition. The four remaining teams engaged in an additional play-off round for the other two semi-final places.Results
- Winning teams are highlighted in bold.
- Teams with green scores returned in the next round, while those with red scores were eliminated.
- Orange scores indicate a further match must be played and won.
- Yellow scores indicate that two further matches must be played and won.
- A score in italics indicates a match decided on a tie-breaker question.
First round
Highest Scoring Losers Play-offs
Second round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
- The trophy and title were awarded to the Emmanuel team comprising Alexander Guttenplan, Andy Hastings, Jenny Harris and Josh Scott.
- The trophy was presented by Carol Ann Duffy.