Key Takeaway
- The oldest universities in the world were founded in places as diverse as Morocco, Italy, India, and France.
- While many began as religious schools, they laid the foundation for modern education systems that now span all areas of knowledge.
- From Oxford and Cambridge to Al Quaraouiyine and Salamanca, these universities are more than just old. They’re still active, global leaders in education and research, attracting students from all over the world.
Oxford University is one of the oldest universities in the world.
Ever wonder what college was like hundreds of years ago? The world’s oldest universities have some pretty cool stories!
Before modern times, schools in places like India and Morocco focused mainly on religion and law. Others in Greece and Italy studied things like medicine, math, and the stars. Over time, these schools grew and changed with the world around them.
Today, they’ve become modern universities with tons of different subjects to explore. And while U.S. colleges may not be as old, they’ve got some fun facts and traditions of their own. Let’s check out some of the oldest universities still around today!
12 Oldest Universities in the World
1. UNIVERSITY OF AL QUARAOUIYINE
- Date Established: 859
- Location: Fez, Morocco
- Notable Alumni: Ibn Khaldun (historian/sociologist), Leo Africanus (explorer/diplomat), Maimonides (philosopher)
According to Guinness World Records, the University of Al Quaraouiyine in Morocco is the oldest university in the world. It was first founded in 859 as a religious school called a madrasa and later became a major center for learning during the Islamic Golden Age.
In 1963, it officially became part of Morocco’s modern university system. Today, it’s known for its big influence on both Islamic and Western ideas, especially in subjects like astronomy, math, and philosophy.
2. AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY
- Date Established: 970
- Location: Cairo, Egypt
- Notable Alumni: Houari Boumediene (Algerian president), Taha Hussein (Egyptian writer), Tariq Ramadan (philosopher)
Al-Azhar University was originally founded in 970 in Cairo, Egypt, as a madrasa. However, teaching at the university was often interrupted, particularly during long periods of political upheaval. It took until 1961 to achieve university status and is now recognized as Sunni Islam’s most prestigious higher-learning institution.
Known for its rigorous programs in Islamic law, theology, Arabic grammar, and the natural sciences, Al-Azhar has produced generations of influential scholars and leaders. After gaining university status, it expanded its curriculum to include secular subjects like engineering, business, medicine, and economics.
3. UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA
- Date Established: 1088
- Location: Bologna, Italy
- Notable Alumni: Dante Alighieri (poet), Nicolas Copernicus, Pope Alexander VI
The University of Bologna is Europe’s oldest university and the oldest one still running in the Western world. With 11 schools in one public university, it was the first to use the word universitas, which is why it’s often called the “mother of universities.”
Originally a law school, Bologna grew to include philosophy, medicine, engineering, science, and more. It drew students and top teachers from all over Europe and helped shape modern science and legal systems. Many of today’s university traditions started right here!
4. UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
- Date Established: 1096
- Location: Oxford, England
- Notable Alumni: R.R. Tolkien, Malala Yousafzia, Stephen Hawking (plus: 27 Nobel laureates and 28 UK prime ministers!)
The University of Oxford started in England with small academic gatherings, and then grew into one of the most famous universities in the world. Its historic buildings, libraries, and museums attract students and scholars from everywhere.
Oxford began with subjects like theology, philosophy, and law, but today it offers just about everything. It’s known for its world-class research, top-notch teaching, and its unique setup of 39 colleges, each with its own traditions and community. If you’ve heard of any university, chances are it’s Oxford!
5. UNIVERSITY OF PARIS (LA SORBONNE)
- Date Established: 1150
- Location: Paris, France
- Notable Alumni: Jacques Chirac (French president), Marie Curie, Pierre Curie, Simone de Beauvoir, Thomas Aquinas, Voltaire
The University of Paris, widely known as La Sorbonne, is recognized as the fifth oldest university in the world and was the major hub of learning in the Middle Ages. It was initially founded as a center for teaching theology, philosophy, and law.
The university was temporarily dissolved during the French Revolution but was later reestablished and remains a prominent institution of higher learning in France. For much of its history, the University of Paris was a global center for research and scholarship. It is credited with introducing several educational norms that have been adopted by universities around the world.
6. UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
- Date Established: 1209
- Location: Cambridge, England
- Notable Alumni: Charles Darwin, Francis Crick (discovered DNA structure), Robert G. Edwards (developed IVF)
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 by a few scholars who left Oxford University following a dispute with local townspeople. It has grown to become globally renowned, known for its excellence in mathematics, science, and the humanities. The university is made up of 31 independent colleges with a strong emphasis on small-group teaching.
Cambridge University is known for its strong focus on research and has made major contributions to science, the arts, and literature. It is especially famous for its work in physics and biology. Cambridge has helped shape technology, literature, political ideas, and more, making it a global leader in many fields.
7. UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA
- Date Established: 1218
- Location: Salamanca, Spain
- Notable Alumni: Antonio de Nebrija (author), Francisco de Salinas (music theorist), Francisco de Vitoria (theologian and jurist), Fray Luis de Leon (poet and astronomer)
The University of Salamanca is the oldest university in the Spanish-speaking world and the 4th oldest in the world. It began as a Cathedral school in 1130 and officially became a university in 1218, thanks to King Alfonso IX. It was also the first university in Europe to award a PhD.
Spread across 9 campuses today, Salamanca is known for strong programs in law, languages, economics, and the humanities. It’s connected to several top medical research centers and helped shape Spanish grammar, literature, and even international law.
Fun Fact: One of its most famous graduates, poet and astronomer Fray Luis de León, is still celebrated across campus. They preserve his legacy with a statue, tributes, and even his old classroom preserved just as it was in the 1570s!
8. UNIVERSITY OF PADUA
- Date Established: 1222
- Location: Padua, Italy
- Notable Alumni: Andrea Veaslio, Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus, William Harvey
In 1222, a group of students and teachers left the University of Bologna to find more academic freedom and started the University of Padua in Italy. It began as a school for medicine and law but quickly grew and became one of the top universities in early modern Europe. It is known for its progressive approach to science and critical inquiry, as well as its focus on medicine, law, philosophy, and astronomy.
This public university played a key role in promoting scientific knowledge during the Renaissance period and remains a global leading center for scientific research and medical education. Among its most famous achievements is the permanent anatomical theatre, which allowed for groundbreaking studies in human anatomy.
Fun Fact: Another famous alumnus, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro, became the first woman in the world to be awarded a university degree in 1678.
9. UNIVERSITY OF NAPLES FEDERICO II
- Date Established: 1224
- Location: Naples, Italy
- Notable Alumni: Giorgio Napolitano (Italian president), Renato Caccioppoli (mathematician), Thomas Aquinas (philosopher and theologian)
Until 1224, all universities in Italy were linked to the church and influenced by the Pope. Wishing to provide a more secular education in the arts, law, and medicine, Emperor Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire established the University of Naples in 1224.
Formerly known as the University of Naples, Federico II was added to the institution’s name in 1987 to acknowledge its founder. The University of Naples Federico II is recognized as the first publicly funded university in Europe. It has made significant contributions to various disciplines, including law, natural sciences, and philosophy.
10. UNIVERSITY OF TOULOUSE
- Date Established: 1229
- Location: Toulouse
- Notable Alumni: Bernard Maris (journalist), Edouard Lartet (Paleolithic archaeologist), Paul Fagot (French malacologist), Paul Sabatier (physicist)
The University of Toulouse was founded in 1229 after the Treaty of Paris. It started as a school for theology but later added subjects like science, law, medicine, and the arts.
Today, it’s no longer just one university—after the French Revolution, it split into several institutions, including the University of Toulouse, Toulouse Business School, and the National Polytechnic Institute. These are now part of a group called the Université Fédérale de Toulouse in southern France. Toulouse is known for its contributions to science, law, and technology.
11. UNIVERSITY OF SIENA
- Date Established: 1240
- Location: Siena, Italy
- Notable Alumni: Carlo Cottarelli (Italian economist), Carlo Rosselli (philosopher/political leader), Rino Rappuoli (immunologist), along with several popes
The University of Siena was founded by the people of Siena in the 13th century and is known as Italy’s first publicly funded university. It started with law and medicine, but soon grew into a major center for arts and sciences. The university was a big part of the Renaissance and helped shape the intellectual scene in Tuscany and beyond.
Even today, it’s known for strong academics and research. With its historic buildings and global student community, the University of Siena remains one of Europe’s top places to study.
Fun Fact: Nearly half of the city of Siena’s population is made up of students!
12. UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA
- Date Established: 1290
- Location: Coimbra, Portugal
- Notable Alumni: Boaventura de Sousa Santos (sociologist), Christopher Clavius (astrologist)
Initially established in Lisbon in 1290 by King Dinis, the university relocated to Coimbra in 1537 and is among the world’s oldest continuously operating universities. The picturesque campus is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
Coimbra helped shape Portugal’s national identity and intellectual heritage, particularly in science, law, and the arts. Its historical library and iconic Baroque buildings testify to a rich academic tradition. Over the centuries, the university played a central role in the education of Portuguese-speaking countries.
While you may not find any of the oldest universities in the World on College Raptor’s College Search Tool, you can use the tool to discover your admission odds and potential financial aid packages for any college in the U.S.
