Leicester’s physics and astrophysics students take on University Challenge
A team featuring students from the University of Leicester’s Physics and Astrophysics community will put their knowledge to the test when University Challenge returns to BBC Two this September.
The Leicester team will face the University of Birmingham in their first-round match on Monday 7 September at 8.30pm on BBC Two.
Among the four students representing Leicester are MPhil Astrophysics researcher Samuel Carlier, who is captain, and final-year Physics student Patrick Loughrey. Physics with Astrophysics student Elias Keyte is the team’s reserve.
The team will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Leicester’s 1963 team, which won the very first University Challenge series after defeating Oxford’s Balliol College.
From eclipsing binaries to the University Challenge studio
Team captain Samuel Carlier is studying for an MPhil in Astrophysics at Leicester, researching eclipsing binary stars – systems in which two stars orbit one another and periodically pass in front of each other from our perspective on Earth.
Samuel will begin a PhD in Belfast in October, continuing his research journey in astrophysics.
He said: “Getting the chance to compete in the show was a really amazing and unexpected opportunity. I had unsuccessfully tried to do it during my undergraduate degree, so when I saw an email for try-outs while doing my Masters here, I thought I would try it out.
“And lo and behold, in the end I was team captain and we got on the show!
“Everyone on the team really put the effort in to practice and everyone we met at the studio was really kind and welcoming, making it a really enjoyable experience.”
Samuel’s interest in astrophysics reflects Leicester’s long-standing strength in space science and research, with the University playing a leading role in exploring the Universe through missions, instrumentation and fundamental research.
Physics meets general knowledge
Patrick Loughrey, a final-year integrated Master’s student studying Physics, is also part of the team.
Originally from Northumberland, Patrick has long been a fan of quiz shows and was delighted to make it through the selection process.
He said: “I have always enjoyed quiz shows, especially University Challenge. I really enjoyed my time on the show – the free food was much appreciated!
“To be honest, I’m surprised I got on the team, never mind passing the qualifier in Birmingham.”
Physics with Astrophysics student Elias Keyte was selected as the team’s reserve member.
He said: “I am so proud of my team for their excellent performance on the show. Although I wasn’t on TV this time, I hope to represent the university next year!”
The team is completed by History student Emmeline Hague-Wright and Public Health PhD researcher Abi Burton, bringing together expertise spanning the sciences, humanities and health.
For Emmeline, the experience was a particularly memorable one.
She said: “As a working-class woman from Melton Mowbray, surreal doesn’t begin to describe the experience. Moments ago, I was a kid who adored the show but was limited to winning local pub quizzes.
“Now it feels like I’m a child who wanted to be an astronaut and has gone to space before their 20th birthday.”
Abi Burton, who grew up in Leicestershire, is researching the relationship between sarcopenia and multiple long-term conditions at the Leicester Diabetes Centre. Her background in performing arts also came in useful during filming.
She said: “I felt especially proud to represent the University and the wider East Midlands. I’d wanted to do the show during my undergraduate degree but never felt brave enough – as a PhD student, I thought this might be my last opportunity!
“The whole experience of doing the show was so much fun, including meeting my teammates, doing group practices, and filming in Salford.”
A university with its eyes on the stars
Leicester has a long history of answering some of the biggest questions in space science – from understanding stars and galaxies to developing instruments that travel deep into the Solar System.
Today, that work continues at Space Park Leicester, the University’s £100 million innovation hub bringing together space science, research, education and industry.
Tune in to see how they get on.
University Challenge: Leicester vs Birmingham
Monday 7 September 2026, 8.30pm
BBC Two
To explore Space Park Leicester partnerships, missions, residents, facilities, training programmes and innovation products, visit space-park.co.uk or to learn more about the University of Leicester visit le.ac.uk/.
Main image: The University of Leicester team with University Challenge host Amol Rajan (centre)
Explore More Stories
- Leicester’s physics and astrophysics students take on University Challenge
- Free talk reveals how children have learned about astronomy over the centuries
- Recruitment and talent consultancy strengthens Space Park Leicester community
- Space kit for future ‘away missions’ tested in Scotland
- NAM 2026: UK in pole position to lead key instrument in NASA’s hunt for Earth-like worlds