Oldest universities in the world

Curious to know which ancient institutions serve as the foundation for modern academia? 

Explore the oldest universities in the world - institutions rich in history and academic excellence. Learn how they shape today’s education, and know more about some of the most ancient universities in the world.

If you want to pursue higher education at one of the oldest universities in the world, read more to know how these universities are ranked.

In this article, we’ll explore: 

• List of the 50 oldest universities in the world
• Admission requirements for these universities
• Some of the oldest universities in popular countries
• Admission requirements for the oldest universities in the world

Let's get started.

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity, so pursue your passions and immerse yourself in each moment.

List of oldest universities in the world 

Data updated as of February 2024

Excited to begin your study abroad journey? Apply for the upcoming intake today!

Top 10 oldest universities in the world

1. University of al-Qarawiyyin
2. University of Bologna
3. University of Oxford
4. University of Paris
5. University of Cambridge
6. University of Salamanca
7. University of Padua
8. University of Naples Federico II
9. University of Toulouse
10. University of Siena

1.University of al-Qarawiyyin (859)

Founded in 859 CE in Morocco, the University of al-Qarawiyyin is the world’s oldest university. Established as a mosque, it became a centre of learning, attracting scholars from across the world. 

The university currently provides several undergraduate and graduate programs in Islamic studies, science, law, and languages. The university has students from Morocco, the Middle East, Europe, and more countries.

2. University of Bologna (1088)

The University of Bologna was founded in 1088 in Bologna, Italy and is the second oldest university in the world. It has various programs at all levels of study. Initially, only doctorate courses were taught at this university, but multiple subjects are offered for studies currently. 

It has an enrolment of around 87,760 students, of which 6,400 are international students. It has several campuses across the world - Representacion en la Republica Argentina, Cantro de Altos Estudios de la Universidad de Bologna, Casena Campus, Forli Campus, Ravenna Campus, Rimini Campus, Brussels, New York, and Shanghai.

3. University of Oxford (1096-1167)

Founded between 1096 to 1167, the University of Oxford is one of the top five universities in the QS World University Rankings and the oldest university in the UK. While the exact date of its establishment is not known, there are facts that academics began as early as 1096.

The University of Oxford caters to a community of nearly 25,000 students and operates the largest university press in the world. The university’s boasts its alumni of prime ministers, Nobel laureates, and notable figures like Sir Stephen Hawking. 

4. University of Paris (1150)

Established in 1150 in Paris, the University of Paris (often known as ‘la Sorbonne’) is one of the first established universities in Europe. The University of Paris is divided into 13 autonomous institutions. The university provides several undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Over 60,000 students enrol here every year. The university’s alumni include Marie Curie (Physicist), Louis Pasteur (French Chemist), and Jackie Kennedy (United States’ former First Lady), among many other notable figures.

5. University of Cambridge (1209)

Established in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the world’s fifth oldest university. It is one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in the world. It also houses the world's oldest publishing house and the second-largest university press - Cambridge University Press. The university has formed 31 constituent colleges with over 100 academic departments organised into 6 schools. 

It has more than 35,000 students from across the world. The university prides itself on its alumni of 47 State Heads, 121 Nobel Prize recipients, and 210 Olympic medal winners. Some of its famous alumni are Isaac Newton (Physicist and Mathematician), Prince Charles (UK’s King), Srinivasa Ramanujan (Indian Mathematician), Amartya Sen (Indian Economist), and Robert Oppenheimer (Theoretical Physicist).

Have you found your dream study destination? Explore your options with Edvoy!

6. University of Salamanca (1218)

The University of Salamanca - Spain’s oldest institution, was founded in 1218. It is the top-ranked university in Spain based on the number of students coming from other regions. 

The university offers Spanish courses for non-native speakers, which attracts more than two thousand international students every year. The university caters to more than 25.000 students across its nine campuses and is well known for its language studies and courses in law and economics. 

7. University of Padua (1222)

The University of Padua was founded in 1222 and is one of the many ancient universities in Italy. The university is notable for its early research in astronomy, law, philosophy, and medicine. 

It has about 60,000 students from around the globe. The university has been one of the most prestigious in the country for its contributions to scientific research. Notable alumni of this university include Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomer who placed the Sun at the centre of the Solar System.

8. University of Naples Federico II (1224)

Founded in 1224 by Frederick II, emperor of the Roman Empire, the University of Naples - Federico II is located in Naples. The institution is organised into 13 faculties under three divisions.

The University has a wide range of programs for around 80,000 students. Some of its notable alumni include three Italian presidents; Samantha Cristoforetti, the first Italian woman in space (the first person who brewed an espresso coffee in space), and Thomas Aquinas (philosopher and theologian).

9. University of Toulouse (1229)

The University of Toulouse is located in Toulouse. The University of Toulouse no longer exists as a single institution. However, there have been several independent "successor" universities inheriting the name under the association of universities and higher education institutions called Université fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées(UFTMP).

The university was split in 1969 into three universities, and the present-day University of Toulouse was founded in 2007. It contains over 100,000 students. Its alumni include Thomas Pesquet (European Space Agency astronaut), and Jean Tirole, Nobel laureates in Economic Sciences in 2014.

10. University of Siena (1240)

The University of Siena is located in Siena, Tuscany, and was founded in 1240. It is the first publicly funded university and one of the oldest in Italy. It is also one of the oldest universities in the world, having more than 20,000 students. 

The University of Siena campus comprises almost half of the city’s entire population. The city centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited annually by over 160,000 tourists.

Excited to begin your study abroad journey? Apply for the upcoming intake today!

10 oldest universities in the UK

Here are the 10 oldest universities in UK.

1. University of Oxford
2. University of Cambridge
3. University of St Andrews
4. University of Glasgow
5. University of Aberdeen
6. University of Edinburgh
7. Marischal College
8. Durham University
9. University of London
10. Victoria University

10 oldest universities in the USA

Here are the 10 oldest universities in USA.

1. Harvard University
2. College of William & Mary
3. St John's College
4. Yale University
5. University of Pennsylvania
6. Moravian University
7. University of Delaware
8. Princeton University
9. Washington and Lee University
10. Columbia University

10 oldest universities in Canada

Here are the 10 oldest universities in Canada.

1. Université Laval (1663)
2. University of New Brunswick (1785)
3. The University of King’s College (1789) 
4. Saint Mary’s University (1802)
5. Dalhousie University (1818)
6. Université de Saint-Boniface (1818)
7. McGill University (1821)
8. University of Toronto (1827)
9. Acadia University (1838)
10. Mount Allison University (1839)

10 oldest universities in Ireland

Here are the 10 oldest universities in Ireland.

1. Trinity College Dublin 
2. University of Dublin
3. National University of Ireland
4. University College Cork
5. University of Galway
6. Maynooth University
7. Dublin City University
8. University of Limerick
9. University College Dublin
10. Dublin Institute of Technology

Oldest universities in New Zealand

Here are the oldest universities in New Zealand.

1. University of Otago
2. University of Canterbury
3. University of Auckland
4. Victoria University of Wellington
5. Lincoln University
6. Massey University
7. University of Waikato
8. Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Admission requirements for the oldest universities in the world 

Usually, students must have passed their school exams with a certain percentage of marks to be eligible for admission into a top-ranked university. Some universities require specific scores in certain examinations, like the IELTS and TOEFL, and general entrance examinations like the GRE and GMAT for example. 

In addition to the eligibility criteria, universities need other documents to proceed with your application. Make sure you have the below-mentioned documents.

• Academic transcripts
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Passport
• Admissions test results
• English language proficiency test scores
• Proof of funds
• Visa

Get ready to study abroad

At Edvoy, we pride ourselves on simplifying the study abroad process for students. With comprehensive guidance and virtual counselling, we'll assist with

• Finding the ideal study abroad programs
• Selecting universities with connections to global industries
• Navigating the application process for studying abroad
• Overcoming challenges like visa requirements and language barriers
• Maximising the learning, cultural immersion, and long-term career benefits

Take the first step in your study abroad journey today with Edvoy!

Edvoy helps you turn your aspirations into a global education journey, making your decision process seamless. Discover the perfect institution to boost your educational experience.

Start your study abroad journey with Edvoy. Get in touch with a friendly Edvoy counsellor and download the app today.

Oldest universities in the world: Your questions answered!

We've collated answers to commonly asked questions to assist you in your study abroad journey. Find your answers below!

Which is the world's oldest university?

The University of al-Qarawiyyin is the world’s oldest university, founded in 859 CE.

Which is the second oldest university in the world?

The University of Bologna is the second oldest university in the world, founded in 1088.

Which was the first university in Britain?

The University of Oxford is the first and oldest university in the United Kingdom.

Which was the first university in USA?

Harvard University is the first university in the USA, founded in 1636.

Which is the oldest university in Canada?

Université Laval, founded in 1663, is the oldest university in Canada. 

Which are some of the ancient universities for MBA?

Some of the oldest universities for MBA programs are

1. University of Oxford
2. Harvard University
3. University of Cambridge
4. University of Glasgow
5. University of Edinburgh
6. University of Aberdeen
7. University of Padua

Which was the first university in Ireland?

Trinity College Dublin is the first university in Ireland, founded in 1592. 

What are the oldest universities in the English-speaking world?

Some of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world include the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of St. Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen, and the University of Edinburgh.