One of the UK’s toughest quiz show returns to BBC Two and iPlayer – University Challenge! With 28 new student teams tackling questions on everything from aromatic compounds to Zeno of Citium. The new series of University Challenge is set to air on Monday 17 July, with new host Amol Rajan asking the questions for the very first time.

The show has a new look, with a new set and title sequence, but its time-honoured format remains the same. Heralded by the familiar theme tune, viewers can expect fast-paced, highly competitive matches fought between some of the nations most knowledgeable students, accompanied by the inimitable voice of announcer Roger Tilling. They’ll be playing on behalf of universities and university colleges from Aberdeen to Southampton, including one of the UK’s smallest and newest universities, making its competition debut.

New host Amol Rajan will become only the third person to present the main series of the programme in its 61-year history, and will bring his own distinctive approach to the role. Under his watch, matches will be fast, fiercely fought, and full of energy, even in the face of some of the show’s most difficult questions yet.

Amol Rajan is a broadcaster for the BBC, presenting Radio 4’s flagship Today programme alongside his prime-time interview show called Amol Rajan Interviews. Rajan hosts BBC podcasts on subjects such as Education, Climate Change, Fairness and Population. He also makes current affairs documentaries, with his most recent series being How to Crack the Class Ceiling.

Amol Rajan comments, “We’re back! I’m so excited to watch along with audiences and relive this wonderful series. And what a wonderful series it is, with thrilling finishes and standards as high as ever.”

Audiences can watch University Challenge on 17 July at 8:30pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.

University Challenge is commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer by BBC Head of Entertainment Commissioning Kalpna Patel-Knight. The Commissioning Editor for Entertainment is Pinki Chambers. University Challenge is produced by Lifted Entertainment North, part of ITV Studios, and is produced in association with Richard Reid for the College Bowl Company. The Executive Producer for Lifted Entertainment is Peter Gwyn, and the Series Producer is Clare Parody. University Challenge has been produced in the North West for over sixty years.