Trinity returns to University Challenge

Trinity will face Linacre College Oxford in the first rounds of University Challenge 2025/26 on Monday 25 August.

Tune in to BBC Two at 8.30pm to see how the Trinity team, captained by third-year Physics student Yusuf Khand, will fare in the seventh episode of the latest series.

The other members of the team are: Alessandro d’Attanasio, also in his third year of Natural Sciences, Lily Kearney, who graduated this summer with a Master’s in Systems Biology, and Piers Marchant, a History student in his second year. The reserve member is English student Salma Reda.

Piers, who has been quizzing for years, said being on University Challenge was ‘one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Trinity so far.’ He said:

Being able to represent somewhere like Trinity on a stage like that is a dream come true.

Alessandro has always loved quizzing, seeing it as a ‘celebration of competition, teamwork and knowledge for its own sake.’

Representing Trinity in University Challenge, a show I have enjoyed and admired for years, has been a unique pleasure,’ he said.

Team Captain Yusuf grew up watching the show with his family.

So to have the opportunity to represent Trinity was something I’d dreamed of for a long time! I’ve bonded very strongly with my team and we have made memories that will last a lifetime.

For Lily, who is now training to be a teacher, taking part was about learning more and having fun.

The previous series was won by Christ’s College Cambridge, who were triumphant on 12 May 2025, beating Warwick University.

Trinity last competed in University Challenge in 2023 when they made it to the semi-finals, but were beaten by Imperial College, London. The team comprised Agnijo Banerjee, Sarah Henderson, Jeremi Jaksina, and Ryan Kang as Captain.

Trinity College Cambridge has won the competition three times since the long-running series was first broadcast, with the most recent win in 2014.

University Challenge first aired in 1962 and quickly gained unexpected popularity. It was cut in 1987 due to low viewing figures but resurfaced in 1994 with Jeremy Paxman as its new host. The show has been presented by Cambridge alumnus Amol Rajan since 2023.

Any UK university can apply, with 28 teams making it through the tough selection process.

Photos: Lifted Entertainment/ITV