Oldest Universities in the World

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 yearUniversityLocation
1180 – 1190University of BolognaBologna, Italy
1200 – 1214University of OxfordOxford, UK
1209 – 1225University of CambridgeCambridge, UK
1218 – 1219University of SalamancaSalamanca, Spain
1222University of PaduaPadua, Italy
1224University of Naples Federico IINaples, Italy
1290University of CoimbraCoimbra, Portugal
1293University of ValladolidValladolid, Spain
1308University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
1347Charles UniversityPrague, Czech Republic
1357University of SienaSiena, Italy
1361University of PaviaPavia, Italy
1364Jagiellonian UniversityKraków, Poland
1365University of ViennaVienna, Austria
1385Ruprecht Karl University of HeidelbergHeidelberg, Germany
1400University of PisaPisa, Italy
1404University of TurinTurin, Italy
1409University of LeipzigLeipzig, Germany
1410 – 1413University of St. AndrewsSt. Andrews, UK
1419University of RostockRostock, Germany
1430University of FerraraFerrara, Italy
1431Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
1444University of CataniaCatania, Italy
1450University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
1451University of GlasgowGlasgow, UK
1456University of GreifswaldGreifswald, Germany
1457Albert Ludwigs University of FreiburgFreiburg, Germany
1459University of BaselBasel, Switzerland
1459 – 1472Ludwig Maximilian University of MunichMunich, Germany
1475University of CopenhagenCopenhagen, Denmark
1476Eberhard Karls University of TübingenTübingen, Germany
1477Uppsala UniversityUppsala, Sweden
1495University of AberdeenAberdeen, UK
1499Complutense University of MadridMadrid, Spain
1500University of ValenciaValencia, 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

  1. University of Bologna
  2. University of Oxford
  3. University of Cambridge
  4. University of Salamanca
  5. University of Padua
  6. University of Naples Federico II
  7. University of Coimbra
  8. University of Valladolid
  9. University of Perugia
  10. Charles University

5. Top 20 oldest universities in the world

  1. University of Bologna
  2. University of Oxford
  3. University of Cambridge
  4. University of Salamanca
  5. University of Padua
  6. University of Naples Federico II
  7. University of Coimbra
  8. University of Valladolid
  9. University of Perugia
  10. Charles University
  11. University of Siena
  12. University of Pavia
  13. Jagiellonian University
  14. University of Vienna
  15. Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg
  16. University of Pisa
  17. University of Turin
  18. University of Leipzig
  19. University of St. Andrews
  20. University of Rostock

Read more on top 20 oldest universities in the World

6. Oldest universities in UK

Founded yearUniversityLocation
1200 – 1214University of OxfordOxford, UK
1209 – 1225University of CambridgeCambridge, UK
1410 – 1413University of St. AndrewsSt. Andrews, UK
1451University of GlasgowGlasgow, UK
1495University of AberdeenAberdeen, UK

7. Oldest universities in Italy

Founded yearUniversityLocation
1180 – 1190University of BolognaBologna, Italy
1222University of PaduaPadua, Italy
1224University of Naples Federico IINaples, Italy
1308University of PerugiaPerugia, Italy
1357University of SienaSiena, Italy
1361University of PaviaPavia, Italy
1400University of PisaPisa, Italy
1404University of TurinTurin, Italy
1430University of FerraraFerrara, Italy
1431Sapienza University of RomeRome, Italy
1444University of CataniaCatania, Italy

8. Oldest universities in Spain

Founded yearUniversityLocation
1218 – 1219University of SalamancaSalamanca, Spain
1293University of ValladolidValladolid, Spain
1450University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain
1499Complutense University of MadridMadrid, Spain
1500University of ValenciaValencia, Spain

Also read
Top 20 Oldest Universities in India

Oldest Universities and Colleges in USA