BBC rejects charge of elitist Oxbridge bias in University Challenge

The 2015 University Challenge final. Oxbridge colleges have won 27 of the 51 series so far, but the two universities have also had many more entries than other institutions. Photograph: BBC University Challenge

The BBC has rejected charges of elitism aimed at its University Challenge quiz show and defended allowing separate Oxford and Cambridge colleges to enter the contest while limiting other universities to one entry each.

The long-running show, which will broadcast a quarter-final match on Monday in its 52nd series, typically includes at least 10 entries from Oxbridge colleges, with the remaining 18 places going to other universities.