Further education doesn’t get any finer than this.
Welcome to WatchMojo UK and today we’re counting down the top 10 greatest student
sitcoms.
For this list, we’re celebrating the best, funniest and most memorable shows which revolve
around the student experience, including both high school and university.
Written by the creators of “Green Wing” and set at the fictional Kirke University,
“Campus” uses a semi-improvised style to follow the unconventional lives of staff
and students as they try to survive each semester.
The show takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the the uni system, and presents campus life as
a complicated social minefield.
And amongst all the chaos, Vice Chancellor Jonty de Wolfe strives to improve Kirke’s
lowly league table ratings - only his methods can prove quite outlandish.
Set in 1970’s London, this classic sitcom follows Oxford-educated Barry Evans, as he
tries to earn a living teaching English as a foreign language.
Unlike today’s other entries, adult education is the focus here, with most of the gags centring
on a ‘lost in translation’ theme.
The show is perhaps best remembered for its students, including Juan, who answers “por
favour” to everything, and Ranjeet, who’s quick to anger during an argument.
Set in South London, “Some Girls” follows the day-to-day antics of best friends Viva,
Amber, Holli and Saz, throughout their final years at high school.
The show mixes hilarious scenarios with relatable situations, as its main characters deal with
the trials and tribulations of growing up, including fierce crushes, fake friends and
crazy festivals.
But, while the excesses of youth fuel many of its storylines, the show also tackles important
issues, such as bullying and the breakup of friendship groups.
By far the darkest entry on our list, Peter Davison stars next as Stephen Daker, a doctor
at the health centre of a severely underfunded University.
During his tenure, the idealistic Daker slowly has his spirit crushed by the incompetence
of his co-workers, as well as the utter indifference displayed by his student patients.
While the funniest moments derive from Daker’s increasing frustration and bewilderment, the
series was inspired by writer Andrew Davies’ own experiences at the University of Warwick.
For the first of two appearances today, Jack Whitehall plays Alfie Wickers - the bumbling
history teacher at the centre of “Bad Education”.
The series follows Alfie’s various attempts to succeed at work, as well as earn the respect
of his belligerent class.
Cue some hilarious scenes, including an out-of-hand field trip and some highly questionable teaching
tactics.
And it wasn’t long before this unruly bunch got the big screen treatment, with “The
Bad Education Movie” gracing screens in 2015.
Few things are more daunting than that first week at uni, and this show sees all of the
excitement and anxiety through the eyes of Jonathan Bailey’s Danny.
A fresher who’s horrified to find that the least likable of his high school friends is
one of his dorm mates, plus he has to share with the socially stunted Fred, Danny’s
hopes for a party-fuelled fresh start are short-lived.
What follows is what happens when your high expectations aren’t met, and your life is
a long list of disappointments.
So you’ve bagged your degree, but what then?
“Big Bad World” dissects post-uni life, as “The Inbetweeners”’ Blake Harrison
expects the world to become his proverbial oyster, but he soon encounters the harsh realities
of the daily grind.
He struggles to find a job, mounts an underwhelming return to his home town, and ends up hanging
out with his work-shy friends.
The series takes a comic look at a very real concern for most students; just what will
happen after you graduate?
We head to Manchester next, as six students somehow navigate through three treacherous
years of study.
“Fresh Meat” is full of larger than life characters, like Jack Whitehall’s unbearably
pompous JP, the anarchistic Vod and the invariably insecure Kingsley.
The show addresses all sorts of student issues, big or small, from the fear of impending deadlines,
to hooking up with course mates or solving household problems.
It’s the best and worst aspects of uni life, all wrapped into one.
Probably the most unique entry on our list, “The Young Ones” was a breakout show for
the likes of Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson.
Well known for its madcap, chaotic style, with over the top violence, surreal scenarios
and overall absurdity, the series dealt with the misadventures of four undergrads house-sharing
in London.
And every day inspires bedlam.
From paying the rent to throwing a party, even the simplest tasks trigger unforgettable
scenes.
Before we get to our number one pick, here are a few honourable mentions:
Our winner sees Simon, Jay, Neil and Will blunder their way through high school and
sixth form, desperately trying to climb the social ladder.
“The Inbetweeners” offers an unflinching look at just how awkward and uncomfortable
adolescent life really can be.
From losing your virginity to getting your first car, or going clubbing in the city,
countless stand-out moments turned this show into a cultural phenomenon.
And everyone has a favourite character - who’s yours?