10 Oldest Universities in the World, Europe Dominates

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Universities have a long history, portraying a significant role in the advancement of knowledge and the shaping of societies. Some institutions have a history spanning hundreds of years and continue to operate in the present.

This article presents some of the oldest universities in the world that have been nurturing scholars and fostering knowledge for centuries. European universities dominate the list.

1. University of Bologna

Founded in 1088 in Italy, the University of Bologna holds the title of being the oldest university in the world and continues to operate today. The institution has been renowned for its canon and civil law since its early establishment.

Initially, the university only taught doctoral studies. Currently, however, it provides a range of programs at all levels, including faculties of jurisprudence, political science, medicine, and engineering, as mentioned in Britannica.

2. University of Oxford

The exact foundation date of the University of Oxford remains uncertain, but evidence of teaching indicates that the school has existed since the 12th century, or even earlier. Regardless, Oxford is inarguably one of the most prestigious universities globally, currently sitting in the 3rd position in the QS World University Rankings.

Oxford is famous for its rigorous academic programs. According to Britannica, the institution started to gain popularity thanks to its theology and liberal arts programs. Nowadays, Oxford shows prominence in the science and medicine field and has been the alma mater of notable alumni, including Sir Stephen Hawking.

3. University of Salamanca

The history of the University of Salamanca can be traced back to its establishment year, 1134. In 1218, it received the Royal Charter, subsequently making it Spain’s oldest university, as quoted from the QS Top Universities.

Its earlier programs included canon law, grammar, arts, and physics. Today, the University of Salamanca captivates students across the globe with the presence of faculties of philosophy and letters, law, science, medicine, and pharmacy.

4. University of Paris

The University of Paris was founded between 1160 and 1250 in the French capital. Often referred to as “la Sorbonne”, it was among the first established universities in Europe.

In 1970, the university was divided into 13 autonomous institutions, subsequently known to the public as the “Universités de Paris I to XIII.” The University of Paris is renowned as a scientific and intellectual center.

5. University of Cambridge

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the second oldest university in England and a close rival of Oxford. Cambridge has produced some of the world’s greatest minds, including Charles Darwin and John Maynard Keynes.

Given the high-end academic achievement, Cambridge continues to attract prospective students from all over the world. The QS Top Universities website notes that the institution caters to over 23,400 students.

6. University of Padua

The University of Padua, also known as the Università di Padova or UNIPD, is another medieval university in Italy. Britannica mentions that the university was founded in 1222 by thousands of students secessioning from the University of Bologna.

UNIPD is particularly well known for its contributions to astronomy, law, medicine, and philosophy. It is also worth mentioning that the most celebrated Galileo Galilei was among its famous professors.

7. University of Naples Federico II

In 1224, the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II took the initiative to establish a state university in Naples. It was the University of Naples that was originally founded to counterbalance the dominant influence of the University of Bologna, says Britannica.

The university offers a diverse range of academic programs and hosts approximately 80,000 students from all over the globe.

8. University of Siena

The University of Siena is one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1240. With enrolment numbers up to 20,000, the university has faculties of political science, medicine and surgery, mathematics, physics, humanities, and more.

9. University of Coimbra

The foundation of the University of Coimbra dates back to 1290. Originally nestled in the Portuguese capital, the university was relocated a number of times and eventually found its way to Coimbra.

Later in 2013, the University of Coimbra was recognized as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its historical buildings, open courtyard, and cultural tradition, as quoted from the QS Top Universities.

10. Al-Azhar University

Is Al-Azhar University the oldest university in the world? Though not until 1961 did it gain university status, Al-Azhar indeed deserves a place among the world’s oldest educational institutions, having been established in 970 AD as a madrasa.

Located in Cairo, Egypt, Al-Azhar University is considered the premier institution for Islamic learning. However, the university extends its prominence beyond religious studies, offering modern fields of study, including medicine, business, engineering, and science.

These universities, though centuries old, still maintain their dominance in the midst of the modern world. Don’t forget to check out our list of the best engineering schools in the world for more insight.

PETIR GARDA B

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