Series 39 of University Challenge began on 6 July 2009[1] and aired on BBC Two.
The series comprised 37 matches[1] over five rounds, airing between July 2009 and April 2010.
The quarter-finals were not a straight knock-out competition but involved a variant on the Swiss pairs format.
Each of the eight teams that reached the quarter-final stage played two matches.
The four remaining teams engaged in an additional play-off round for the other two semi-final places.