In Our Time

In Our Time has been running on BBC Radio 4 for over 27 years, and its archive of 1,100+ episodes is basically an entire university education in audio form. For most of its run, longtime host Melvyn Bragg assembled panels of three academic experts to discuss a single topic in 45 to 58 minutes — from John Keats to the Code of Hammurabi to the Mariana Trench. As of early 2026, journalist Misha Glenny has taken over hosting duties, bringing a fresh perspective to the format. The structure is beautifully simple. Three scholars sit down, the host guides the conversation, and you get a rigorous but accessible discussion of topics that span history, philosophy, science, culture, and religion. With a 4.6-star rating from over 5,100 reviews, the show has earned deep respect from both casual listeners and academics. This is not a flashy production. There's no background music, no dramatic re-enactments, no ads interrupting the flow. Just smart people talking about ideas with genuine enthusiasm. And that's exactly what makes it perfect for university students — it models the kind of intellectual discussion you'll encounter in the best tutorials and seminars. Listening regularly will build your general knowledge across disciplines and sharpen your ability to follow complex arguments. The archive alone is worth exploring. Studying Shakespeare? There's an episode on Henry IV Part 1. Taking a philosophy course? The episode on John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is excellent. It's like having access to guest lectures from top academics at British universities, completely free.