School of Law student takes part in University Challenge
A team from the University of Leeds, including law student Finn Thomson, made a long-awaited return to a classic student quiz show.
For the first time in 13 years, the University of Leeds was represented in this year's televised rounds of University Challenge, one of the UK’s toughest and long-running TV quiz shows.
In an episode broadcasted on Monday 28 October by BBC, the Leeds team took on their counterparts from Edinburgh.
The team was captained by Alexander Tan (BSc Computer Science), who was joined by Finn Thompson (LLB Law), Jayan Patel (MSc Mechatronics and Robotics) and Ingrid Marvin (PhD Media and Communications) with Callum Ormerod (MPhys Physics) as reserve.
Reflecting on this experience, Finn says:
It was an honour to represent the University of Leeds in this year’s series of University Challenge! After what seemed like endless practice, I’m glad that me and the team have shown off Leeds in a positive light.
I would like to thank the University of Leeds and its Student Union for their support. I would like to thank my wonderful team members for their dedication and contribution to our cause. Finally, I would also like to thank the BBC, the studio team and all others involved who have helped us proudly represent our university.
Watch the the episode on BBC iPlayer.
Before this year, the most recent appearance from Leeds came in the 2011/12 series, when the team defeated Goldsmiths, London before bowing out to Clare College, Cambridge in round two.
Leeds’ best performance came in reaching the semi-finals of the 2002/03 series, losing to Cranfield, although our alumni team was triumphant in the 2019 Christmas special.
The University competed in the first ever televised episode of University Challenge in 1962.
Sadly, Leeds narrowly missed out to Edinburgh, but a thrilling comeback from the team made it a closely contested match.
Even though the results of the evening were not what we hoped for, the School of Law is incredibly proud of Finn and the rest of the Leeds team and hope we can see another team taking part in next year’s challenge!
