Allow me to set the scene: you’ve finally finished unpacking and decorating your room, so you get in your comfortable pyjamas, turn on your bedside lamp (the big light is not cosy enough), and get ready to watch some television. If you’re anything like me, you love to watch television that relates to whatever stage of life you’re currently at – it lets you romanticise everyday life. Well, I’ve rounded up some of the best university-themed TV shows for just the thing!
What a classic. I couldn’t not include the beloved Gilmore Girls in this list. Whether you choose to watch the show from season one, taking inspiration from Rory’s academia and love for her studies, or season four, when Rory finally starts at university, the autumn leaves and the warm hue of the screen are sure to leave you feeling ready to take on the Philip Robinson library with a cosy scarf and a coffee in hand.
Not for the faint-hearted, this emotional adaptation of Sally Rooney’s sensational novel follows the ever-evolving relationship between Irish teenagers Marianne and Connor as they grow through school and university. This will surely resonate with any students grappling with self-discovery and mental health at university. Prepare the tissues and grab your childhood teddy bear for this one.
Law students, this one is for you. This dramatic thriller follows a group of law students who find themselves working with their teacher, a criminal defence lawyer. Granted, this drama has way too much death to be a realistic portrayal of university life, but it makes up for it with its gripping storylines.
This heartfelt HBO show follows the university life of four first-year flatmates as they navigate friendships, studies, love, and sexuality. Alongside tackling serious topics of consent, female empowerment, and internalised homophobia, this comedy-drama has plenty of laughter to get you through whatever awaits you this year.
Set in an American community college, this must-watch sitcom centres around a former lawyer’s reluctant return to the world of academics. Its experimental plots make it one of the most unconventional comedies to date, and several episodes pay homage to other fan-favourite TV shows, with one episode following a Law & Order style investigation, and another filmed as a documentary inspired by Hearts of Darkness. Community captures some of the wackiest moments of university studies, told through the exaggerated lens of a sitcom.
For the medic students. I can admit that this show almost made me consider a medical career, but that dream was quickly shattered by A-level Biology, so if you’ve made it this far then I applaud you. There’s nothing more motivating than watching a group of surgeons struggle their way through a hospital residency. Plus, you can always find comfort in knowing that you may be in the Phil Robo, but at least you’re not holding a bomb in a man’s open chest.
Relive the 90s nostalgia with this beloved coming-of-age sitcom that follows protagonist Cory Matthews through school, university, and beyond. It’s the perfect heartfelt show to cosy up with on a Sunday evening.
