10 Oldest Universities In The UK

The UK has a rich history when it comes to universities, with some of them dating back to the earliest years of the calendar. Universities have been a feature of the education sector for many years, but how many of us know that the UK has a rich history when it comes to universities? 

With the UK being home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, it is no surprise that people are taking an interest in them. Students, parents and employers alike are fascinated by these old institutions, and it’s easy to see why. They have a rich and varied history, and they are the foundations of the British education system. That’s why we’ve decided to put together this list of the oldest universities in the UK.

 1. University of Oxford

Founded: 1096
Location: Oxford OX1 2JD
Top Courses: Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, Life Sciences
‍Alumni: Tony Abbott, Sir Grantley Adams and Bill Clinton

The University of Oxford is the oldest universities in the UK and one of the oldest in the world. It has a long list of notable alumni, including 28 British prime ministers and numerous foreign heads of state. It is also home to a number of world-class research institutes and centers, including the Oxford University Press, one of the world's largest and most prestigious publishers. In addition to its academic programs, the University of Oxford is also renowned for its beautiful and historic campus. Overall, the University of Oxford is a truly extraordinary institution, with a long and illustrious history and a reputation for excellence in education and research. 

2. University of Cambridge

Founded: 1209
Location: Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TN
Top Courses: Arts and Humanities, Biology and Biochemistry, Computer Science
Alumni: Issac Newton, Stephen Hawking and Chalres Darwin

The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the UK and is often seen as Oxford's main rival. Like Oxford, it has a prestigious reputation and has produced numerous notable figures, including eight British prime ministers and numerous foreign heads of state. The University is a member of the Russell Group, Coimbra Group etc. It is also part of the "Golden Triangle," a geographical cluster of leading research universities in the UK. Cambridge University courses are regarded as among the best in the world, and the university is one of the ten most sought-after in the UK by the country's leading employers (Graduate Outcome 2021).

3. University of St Andrews

Founded: 1413
Location: St Andrews KY16 9AJ
Top Courses: International Relations, History of Art and Geography
Alumni: Prince William, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Edward Jenner

The University of St. Andrews is the third-oldest university in the UK. It is located in the town of St. Andrews in Scotland and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture. Students apply to one of four Faculties (Arts, Divinity, Medicine, or Science) and take modules toward a degree, with the opportunity to specialise further. The Times University Guide has ranked the University of St Andrews as the best university in Scotland for the last ten years, and it was named Scottish University of the Year four times in a row from 2011 to 2015. There are many excellent options for student accommodation near the University of St Andrews which helps international students in a great student living experience across their universities.

4. University of Glasgow

Founded: 1451
Location: Glasgow G12 8QQ
Top Courses: Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering,  Archaeology and Art & Design
Alumni: Adam Smith, Gerard Butler and Nicholas Parson

The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the UK. It is located in Glasgow, Scotland. The University of Glasgow, located in Scotland's largest city, is one of the world's top 100 universities, with 26,000 students from over 120 different countries enrolled. Glasgow is also a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research universities in the United Kingdom. The University of Glasgow performed admirably in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, being recognised for its world-class research and societal impact. 

5. University of Aberdeen (1495)

Founded: 1495
Location: Aberdeen AB24 3FX
Top Courses: Clinical, pre-clinical & health, Arts & humanities and Engineering & technology.
‍‍Alumni: Nicky Campbell, Sir Ian Wood and Frank Mulholland

The University of Aberdeen is the fifth-oldest university in the UK. It is located in the city of Aberdeen in Scotland and has a strong tradition of research and teaching. At the main campus you will find ancient buildings side by side with modern, newly refurbished laboratories, excellent computing facilities and the latest library technology. Roughly half of University of Aberdeen students study medicine, science or engineering, with arts and social sciences also popular. A cosmopolitan atmosphere of Scottish and English students alongside 120 different nationalities ensures an exciting multi-cultural atmosphere, with Aberdeen’s remote location attractive to students from all over the world. You don't need to worry about student accommodation near the University of Aberdeen, there are plenty of options available with amber.

6. University of Edinburgh (1583)

Founded: 1583
Location: South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL
Top Courses: Computer Science, Social Science and Humanities
Alumni: Sarojini Naidu, Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Darwin

The University of Edinburgh is a well-known teaching and research institution in Scotland, making it one of the oldest universities in UK. The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's largest and most prestigious universities, currently ranking in the top 15 in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Edinburgh has a strong academic reputation for medicine and science, having produced numerous discoveries and inventions such as anaesthesia, penicillin, and the telephone. The University also has the UK's oldest Department of English Literature and ranks highly in the humanities and is counted among the top 5 Business schools in the UK.

7. University of Manchester (1824)

Founded: 1824
Location: Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL
Top Courses: Law, Business & Economics and Engineering
Alumni: Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir Philip Craven MBE and Norman Foster

The University of Manchester is the seventh-oldest university in the UK and is located in the north of England. It is one of the largest universities in the country, with approximately 38,000 students (nearly 9,000 international) and 10,000 staff currently enrolled. The University is well-known for academic and research excellence and is a member of the Russell Group. The University of Manchester currently has 25 Nobel Prize winners among its current and former staff and students, and 91% of recent graduates go straight into employment or further education. In addition to 25 Nobel Prizes (ten for physics, nine for chemistry, three for physiology/medicine, and three for Economics), the University's pioneering work is extensive, and Manchester ranks high in the list of top MBA universities in the UK.

8. University College London ‘UCL’ (1826)

Founded: 1826
Location: Gower St, London WC1E 6BT
Top Courses: Education, Architecture & the Built Environment and Archaeology
Alumni: Mahatma Gandhi, Christopher Nolan and Rabindranath Tagore.

The  University College London, also known as 'London's Global University,' is the eight-oldest  university in the UK. It is currently ranked eighth in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023) and second in the United Kingdom in terms of research power (2021 Research Excellence Framework). UCL is a member of the elite Russell Group of UK universities, as well as the League of European Research Universities. There are over 650 master's programmes and nearly 500 undergraduate degrees available at UCL. 

9. Durham University (1832)

Founded: 1832
Location: Durham City Center
Top Courses: Biology, Classics & Ancient History and Criminology
Alumni: Nick Mohammed, George Alagiah and Andrew Strauss 

Durham University is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England. It is one of the oldest universities in the UK. As a collegiate university, its main functions are divided among the University's academic departments and its 17 colleges. The University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of British research universities and is ranked 92nd in the QS World Rankings 2023. Durham has 25 academic departments, 19 of which are ranked in the top 100 in the country and is among the best Law universities in UK. The University offers over 200 undergraduate and 190 postgraduate programmes through four faculties: Arts & Humanities, Business, Social Sciences, and Engineering & Science. 

10. Aberystwyth University (1872)

Founded: 1872
Location: Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3FL
Top Courses: Geography & Earth Sciences, International Politics and Welsh & Celtic Studies
Alumni: Prince Charles, Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Melanie Walters

Aberystwyth University was the first university in Wales and the tenth-oldest university in the United Kingdom. Aberystwyth University has a long history of providing academic excellence, an exceptional student experience, and world-class research. Aberystwyth University has one of the world's largest graduate schools of international relations. The Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences is a world-class research and education centre that studies issues such as sustainable land use, climate change, and food and water supply security. It also houses one of the five UK copyright libraries, the National Library of Wales, as well as Wales' largest Arts Centre. Also explore best law universities In The UK to know your options.

We hope you enjoyed our article on the oldest universities in the UK. We know that choosing the right university can be difficult, with so many options in the UK alone. We also hope we were able to give you some useful information to help you make the right choice for you when choosing the university of your dreams.

Where student accommodation is concerned, amber has got you covered! There are many student accommodations in the UK that are conveniently close to top universities and will help enrich your student journey.