University Challenge Success!
Did you tune in?
On Monday 31 July, a team of four Birkbeck students competed in BBC's 2023 season of University Challenge. This year, 20 years after Birkbeck won the challenge in 2023, making Birkbeck the only member of the University of London who has won before, our team competed in the first-round fixture as one of the 17 member institutions of the University of London against one of the first wave post-1992 universities. The winner of this round was guaranteed to secure a spot in round two.
Representing more than 11 thousand of our students was Danny McMillan, a PhD student of Modern Irish History, Olivia Mariner a Maths student, the Birkbeck team captain Samir Chadha, who studies Creative and Critical Writing and Margherita Huntley MA Law and Political Economy student. Opposed them was Oxford Brookes University, who in only 5 appearances have reached the quarterfinals twice, represented by David Caldecott (Biology), Lara Gardner (Human Biosciences), team captain John Manton (MA Fine Art) and James Broadbent (International Relations and Politics).
The rules of the University Challenge are simple enough: the teams are presented with starter questions which are answered by who hit the buzzer first. Starter questions are worth 10 points, but if answered incorrectly cost 5 points and are passed on to the other team. If a starter question is answered correctly, the team is presented with 3 bonus questions following the same theme and can be discussed within the team before giving a final answer. Each of these questions is worth 5 points. The team who has the most points by the end of the game wins.
Birkbeck answered the first question and scored 10 points, as well as answering the three bonus questions correctly, reaching a score of 25 points all together after the first starter question. Oxford Brookes team took the next question, but Birkbeck buzzed in for the third question scoring 20 more points, with 45 points in total. The Oxford Brookes took the next round also earning 20 points, remaining 5 points behind Birkbeck. Birkbeck earned 20 more points in the next round. Oxford Brookes matched Birkbeck's 65 points in the next round, then passed that score by 20 more points in the next round, then by 35 more points the round after that. Team Birkbeck made a comeback in the next round, climbing to 85 points. Team Birkbeck then lost 5 points per question when failing to answer the next two starter questions, then redeemed the loss in the next round, scoring 20 points, but still falling behind Oxford Brookes by 15 points. Both teams came even with 110 points each after the next round led by Birkbeck. Oxford Brookes shot ahead in the next two rounds reaching 155 points, but Birkbeck surpassed that score by leading the next two rounds. By the next round, Birkbeck was 30 points ahead of Oxford Brookes, who climbed up to 5 points behind Birkbeck in the next round, then surpassed our team reaching 205 points.
The final round starter question was answered by McMillan, presenting our team with an opportunity to lead Birkbeck to victory, which our fantastic team took in stride, ending the challenge in the lead, beating Oxford Brooks University by 15 points. This last victory will advance Team Birkbeck onto round two of the 2023 University Challenge, and we would like to extend a massive congratulations to the team for their success and express our excitement to see what our team does in the next round!
For watchers at home and other supporters, the trials, and tasters to apply for the 2024 Birkbeck University Challenge team will be held in the autumn term, so keep an eye out for further information if this would be something you're interested in! The Students' Union runs fair and transparent sessions across October and November, so the next team on our screens could include you!
By Enia Soka
