Universities are the places where people gather to learn and enhance their knowledge. Some universities have been around for centuries, and they have contributed significantly to the development of society. These universities have a rich history and a unique culture that reflects the values of the past. In this article, we will take a look at the oldest universities in the world.
List of Oldest Universities in the World
Founded year | University | Location |
1180 – 1190 | University of Bologna | Bologna, Italy |
1200 – 1214 | University of Oxford | Oxford, UK |
1209 – 1225 | University of Cambridge | Cambridge, UK |
1218 – 1219 | University of Salamanca | Salamanca, Spain |
1222 | University of Padua | Padua, Italy |
1224 | University of Naples Federico II | Naples, Italy |
1290 | University of Coimbra | Coimbra, Portugal |
1293 | University of Valladolid | Valladolid, Spain |
1308 | University of Perugia | Perugia, Italy |
1347 | Charles University | Prague, Czech Republic |
1357 | University of Siena | Siena, Italy |
1361 | University of Pavia | Pavia, Italy |
1364 | Jagiellonian University | Kraków, Poland |
1365 | University of Vienna | Vienna, Austria |
1385 | Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg | Heidelberg, Germany |
1400 | University of Pisa | Pisa, Italy |
1404 | University of Turin | Turin, Italy |
1409 | University of Leipzig | Leipzig, Germany |
1410 – 1413 | University of St. Andrews | St. Andrews, UK |
1419 | University of Rostock | Rostock, Germany |
1430 | University of Ferrara | Ferrara, Italy |
1431 | Sapienza University of Rome | Rome, Italy |
1444 | University of Catania | Catania, Italy |
1450 | University of Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain |
1451 | University of Glasgow | Glasgow, UK |
1456 | University of Greifswald | Greifswald, Germany |
1457 | Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg | Freiburg, Germany |
1459 | University of Basel | Basel, Switzerland |
1459 – 1472 | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | Munich, Germany |
1475 | University of Copenhagen | Copenhagen, Denmark |
1476 | Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen | Tübingen, Germany |
1477 | Uppsala University | Uppsala, Sweden |
1495 | University of Aberdeen | Aberdeen, UK |
1499 | Complutense University of Madrid | Madrid, Spain |
1500 | University of Valencia | Valencia, Spain |
FAQ’s
1. What is the oldest university in the world?
The University of Bologna is the oldest university in the world, founded in 1088.
2. Which is the second-oldest university in the world?
The University of Oxford is the second-oldest university in the world, founded in 1096.
3. What is the role of universities in society?
Universities play a crucial role in the development of society by advancing knowledge, producing scholars, and shaping the future.
4. Top 10 oldest universities in the world
- University of Bologna
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University of Salamanca
- University of Padua
- University of Naples Federico II
- University of Coimbra
- University of Valladolid
- University of Perugia
- Charles University
5. Top 20 oldest universities in the world
- University of Bologna
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University of Salamanca
- University of Padua
- University of Naples Federico II
- University of Coimbra
- University of Valladolid
- University of Perugia
- Charles University
- University of Siena
- University of Pavia
- Jagiellonian University
- University of Vienna
- Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg
- University of Pisa
- University of Turin
- University of Leipzig
- University of St. Andrews
- University of Rostock
Read more on top 20 oldest universities in the World
6. Oldest universities in UK
Founded year | University | Location |
1200 – 1214 | University of Oxford | Oxford, UK |
1209 – 1225 | University of Cambridge | Cambridge, UK |
1410 – 1413 | University of St. Andrews | St. Andrews, UK |
1451 | University of Glasgow | Glasgow, UK |
1495 | University of Aberdeen | Aberdeen, UK |
7. Oldest universities in Italy
Founded year | University | Location |
1180 – 1190 | University of Bologna | Bologna, Italy |
1222 | University of Padua | Padua, Italy |
1224 | University of Naples Federico II | Naples, Italy |
1308 | University of Perugia | Perugia, Italy |
1357 | University of Siena | Siena, Italy |
1361 | University of Pavia | Pavia, Italy |
1400 | University of Pisa | Pisa, Italy |
1404 | University of Turin | Turin, Italy |
1430 | University of Ferrara | Ferrara, Italy |
1431 | Sapienza University of Rome | Rome, Italy |
1444 | University of Catania | Catania, Italy |
8. Oldest universities in Spain
Founded year | University | Location |
1218 – 1219 | University of Salamanca | Salamanca, Spain |
1293 | University of Valladolid | Valladolid, Spain |
1450 | University of Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain |
1499 | Complutense University of Madrid | Madrid, Spain |
1500 | University of Valencia | Valencia, Spain |
Also read
Top 20 Oldest Universities in India
Oldest Universities and Colleges in USA