Series 32 of University Challenge began on 2 September 2002, with the final on 31 March 2003.

It also marked the 40th anniversary of the show’s formation.

Results Winning teams are highlighted in bold. Teams with green scores (winners) returned in the next round, while those with red scores (losers) were eliminated. Teams with orange scores have lost, but survived as the first round losers with the highest losing scores. A score in italics indicates a match decided on a tie-breaker question.

First round Team 1 Score Team 2 Broadcast date Newcastle University205180 University of York 2 September 2002 University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology165200 Clare College, Cambridge 9 September 2002 University College London165175 Jesus College, Oxford 16 September 2002 University of Liverpool265 Worcester College, Oxford 23 September 2002 Selwyn College, Cambridge180 Merton College, Oxford 30 September 2002 University of Leeds230 Liverpool John Moores University 7 October 2002 Cranfield University175 Brasenose College, Oxford 14 October 2002 Middlesex University200 University of Manchester 21 October 2002 University of Sheffield180 Homerton College, Cambridge 28 October 2002 University of Nottingham225 University of Wales, Aberystwyth 4 November 2002 Birkbeck, University of London230185 Emmanuel College, Cambridge 11 November 2002 Durham University190 Queens' College, Cambridge 18 November 2002 University of Warwick275 Wadham College, Oxford 25 November 2002 University of Southampton190 University of Edinburgh 2 December 2002

Highest Scoring Losers Playoffs Team 1 Score Team 2 Broadcast date University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology205 University College London 9 December 2002 Emmanuel College, Cambridge205 University of York 16 December 2002

Second round Team 1 Score Team 2 Broadcast date Newcastle University215 Worcester College, Oxford 23 December 2002 University of Warwick225 University of Southampton 30 December 2002 University College London330 Emmanuel College, Cambridge 6 January 2003 Durham University225 Jesus College, Oxford 13 January 2003 Birkbeck, University of London190 Clare College, Cambridge 20 January 2003 Cranfield University190 University of Manchester 27 January 2003 University of Leeds170 University of Nottingham 3 February 2003 University of Sheffield195 Merton College, Oxford 10 February 2003

Quarter-finals Team 1 Score Team 2 Broadcast date University College London220 Birkbeck, University of London 17 February 2003 University of Warwick180 University of Sheffield 24 February 2003 Cranfield University165 Durham University 3 March 2003 University of Leeds230 Worcester College, Oxford 10 March 2003

Semi-finals Team 1 Score Team 2 Broadcast date Birkbeck, University of London190 University of Sheffield 17 March 2003 Cranfield University200 University of Leeds 24 March 2003

Final Team 1 Score Team 2 Broadcast date Birkbeck, University of London180 Cranfield University 31 March 2003

The trophy and title were awarded to the Birkbeck team of Tony Walsh, Thor Halland, Tony Gillham, and Colum Gallivan. The trophy was presented by Benjamin Zephaniah.

References

External links University Challenge Homepage Blanchflower Results Table