How to apply

Applications are now closed for Team Open 2024.

Do you love quizzing, or just shouting answers at the TV from your sofa? Why not apply for University Challenge!

University Challenge is a UK TV quiz show where teams of university students compete, answering questions on a wide range of subjects, from literature to music to sport.

We look for five OU student quizzers each year to be a part of Team Open, to hopefully represent The Open University on University Challenge.

Applications were open from Monday 2 October at 9am (UK Time) and closed on Sunday 5 November 2023 at 11pm (UK Time).

You’ll need to be studying with the Open University until at least April 2024 to apply. Please read the full eligibility requirements before applying. Please note that students who are studying access courses are not eligible to apply unfortunately.

Application form - now closed.

If you need an alternative format for the application form, just email us at oustudents-community@open.ac.uk.

If you’re unsure about applying, take a look at this video from contestants from the 2021/22 series, and have a read of team member Mike's experience of being a part of the 2023 team on The Hoot.

How does the process work?

Applications are usually open for a few weeks. The application form consists of some questions about yourself and why you want to apply to represent The Open University on University Challenge.

The next round is a specialist-subject online quiz and a general knowledge online quiz (the specialist subjects are Arts and Culture, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Maths). All eligible applicants will be sent these quizzes to complete.
The final round is an online audition with fellow applicants. The audition usually starts with several questions where applicants can ‘buzz in’ to answer the questions, and then ends with a few questions to answer in small groups. The audition is held on Microsoft Teams with a small group of students. We aim for the audition to be a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
The final team will then be selected and notified. The team will need to complete their team application for ITV and may be invited to an interview by the production team. If successful at the interview, they may then be invited to filming. The OU Students Association will support the team in preparing for the interview and filming, if applicable.

Please note this is just a guide, and the process may be adapted for future team recruitments.

If you have any queries, please email us at oustudents-community@open.ac.uk.

Still not sure whether to apply?

Perhaps some feedback from previous applicants for the 2023 team might persuade you!

89% would ‘Definitely’ recommend the process to fellow OU students, with 11% selecting ‘Maybe’
70.7% agreed with the statement “I feel taking part has made a positive contribution to my student experience”
“It was a fun experience but it also gave me a chance to meet fellow students. The online audition in particular was good fun and a confidence booster, even though I was ultimately unsuccessful”
“I found it a fun thing to do and a good challenge”
“It was really good fun, made all the better by making the team”.