The Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World

Have you ever wondered how the education system in the world evolved? If not, then we are here to take you through the hidden pages of history to learn about some of the oldest universities in the world. Schools and universities have played an important role in improving society by producing some of the finest minds ever. Centuries have passed by, yet some of these universities have tested the times and are still standing tall. Not just this, but some of these oldest universities are fully functioning to date and offering world-class education. These oldest universities in the world have proved their ability and moved forward with their historic legacies. To understand them better, we bring you the list of the top 10 oldest universities in the world. Let’s understand what ancient institutions and educational systems looked like back in the past. 

Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World

Over the years, the education system has seen a massive turnaround from the traditional way of teaching to a modern technology-driven process; the learning method has evolved, too. And still, these oldest universities are among the world’s most prestigious and highly esteemed institutions that witness high competition every year. Let’s take a look at the top 10 oldest universities in the world. 

1. University of Bologna

Location: Bologna, Italy 
Year of Establishment: 1088
QS World University Rankings: #154 
Unique Feature: Multicampus structure
Top Courses: Engineering, Humanities, Law, Medicine
Alumni: Silvestro Turtoro, Giulia Bosi, and Federico Dalpozzo

With a history of nine centuries under its feathers, the University of Bologna is the first on our list of the oldest universities in the world. It is the oldest and the 1st university in the world that has made its way through the bustling Middle Ages, passed the diverse Renaissance, and has seen the crash of the Modern Age, successfully arriving in the Contemporary era. Home to more than 85,000 students, the university offers undergraduate, post-graduate, and PhD programs. Not just this, this university also organises summer and winter schools and encourages the admission of international students. 

2. The University of Oxford

Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Year of Establishment: 1096 - 1167
QS World University Rankings: #3 
Unique Feature: Has world’s oldest botanical garden
Top Courses: Medicine, Law, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Modern Languages
Alumni: Tony Abbott, Sir Andrew Wiles, and Roger Bacon

The University of Oxford has been ranked #1 in the World University Rankings by the Times Higher Education (THE) for 7 years in a row from 2017 to 2023. Not just this, but the alumni list of the university has 28 UK Prime Ministers on it. Yeah, you read it right! There’s a reason why the University of Oxford is amongst the top 10 oldest universities in the world. Along with a high quality of education, it also empowers its students to build a strong and empowering life. The University of Oxford has around £15.7 billion in the UK economy and supports more than 28,000 full-time jobs. Despite being the world's oldest university, Oxford University is still fully functioning and making education easily available. You can also check out our blog on the oldest universities in the UK. If you’re looking for University of Oxford student accommodation, amber can help you!

3. University of Cambridge

Location: Cambridge, England
Year of Establishment: 1209
QS World University Rankings: #2 
Unique Feature: Collegiate system
Top courses: Social Sciences, Law, Education, Psychology
Alumni: Lauren Rea, Edward Harley, and Ursula Hart

The next oldest university in the world on our list is the University of Cambridge. With a student population of around 20,000 from 140 countries, the University of Cambridge is the third on our list of the oldest universities in the world. With a history of more than eight centuries, it is considered one of the top public universities in Cambridge. It has six academic schools under its feather dedicated to different streams and spread across the university’s colleges, such as Art & Humanities, Biological Sciences, and Clinical Medicines. If you plan to move to England to study at the University of Cambridge, amber will help you find your ideal student accommodation.

4. University of Salamanca 

Location: Salamanca, Spain
Year of Establishment: 1218
QS World University Rankings: #534 
Unique Feature: Plateresque architecture
Top Courses: Law, Liberal Arts, Science, Medicine
Alumni: Jorge Volpi Escalante and Jose Luis Chico

The University of Salamanca is considered one of the oldest universities in the world, which is an institution for Spanish higher education. This public university is widely known for its language studies and actively educating the world about the importance of law and economics. The university claims to have been founded by Alfonso IX of Leone and is considered the most prestigious university in Spain. This internationally recognized Spanish language centre is home to more than 30,000 students from all over the world. 

5. University of Padua

Location: Padua, Italy 
Year of Establishment: 1222
QS World University Rankings: #219 
Unique Feature: History of Physics Museum
Top Courses: Psychological Science, Medicine & Surgery, Information Engineering, and Animal Care
Alumni: Nicolaus Copernicus, William Harvey, and Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia

Next on our list of the oldest universities in the world is the University of Padua, known for managing nine museums, including a History of Physics Museum, located in the beautiful city of Padua. This is one of the oldest European universities, which serves as a hub for research and scholarly training. With a yearly enrolment exceeding 60,000 students and a dedicated faculty of 2,200 educators spinning 32 departments, the university’s legacy and esteemed reputation are unmistakable. Over the years, the university has dedicated itself to advancing knowledge and contributing to the betterment of the world. Students studying at the University of Padua will also find many cosy cafes in and around the university. 

6. University of Naples Federico II

Location: Naples, Italy
Year of Establishment: 1224
QS World University Rankings: #335 
Unique Feature: 1st publicly funded university in Europe
Top Courses: Economics, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, Medicine & Surgery, etc.
Alumni: Alessandro Preziosi, Giampaolo Morelli, and Imma Battaglia

The University of Naples Federico II is one of the oldest universities in the world, with a well-esteemed reputation for being founded by the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Frederick II. This oldest university in the world is renowned for its academic excellence and has seen some notable alumni, such as Italian President, Giovanni Leone, and Enrico De Nocila. It is also the first publicly funded educational institution in Europe. The University of Naples Federico II has seen an influx of a student community of around 80,000 students from across the world. 

7. University of Coimbra

Location: Coimbra, Portugal
Year of Establishment: 1290
QS World University Rankings: #351
Unique Feature: Historical buildings
Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business & Economics
Alumni: Rector Amílcar Falcão and João Nuno Calvão da Silva

Next on our list of the oldest universities in the world is the University of Coimbra. The University has a student community of over 24,000. It has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage List for its historical buildings, cultural traditions, and open courtyard, and it attracts thousands of tourists every year because of this. The university is highly regarded for its quality of education and research opportunities. With a vibrant student community and various associations and clubs formed for cultural events, this oldest university in the world has kept its long-standing tradition alive to date. It is home to around 21,000 students from across the world. 

8. University of Valladolid

Location: Valladolid, Spain
Year of Establishment: 1241
QS World University Rankings: #951 
Unique Feature: Focus on research & innovation
Top Courses: Architecture, Business Administration, and Economics
Alumni: Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, Eva Hache, and José María Calleja

The University of Valladolid is also considered one of the world’s oldest university, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. The university has played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural development of the region. The university offers a wide range of programs such as arts and humanities, health sciences, and engineering and architecture for students to choose from. Known for promoting research and innovation, the institute focuses on various fields, contributing to advancements in science and technology, humanities, and social sciences. This oldest university in the world has a diverse population of students coming from all over the world which gives them cross-cultural exposure on a greater level. 

9. University of Perugia 

Location: Perugia, Italy
Year of Establishment: 1308
QS World University Rankings: #661 
Unique Feature: Fostering internationalisation
Top Courses: Medicine & Surgery, Engineering, Economics, and Agricultural Sciences
Alumni: Monica Bellucci, Suze Rotolo, and Gianni Alemanno

Located in the beautiful city of Perugia, the University of Perugia is among the oldest universities in the world. It is also known as the Università degli Studi di Perugia in Italian, and it aims to provide support for research programs and other initiatives. The university campus is huge and has dedicated buildings for various sections, such as libraries, research centres, laboratories, sports facilities, and student services. This oldest university in the world has a history of promoting internationalisation by offering various exchange programs for students from across the world to participate in and be part of one of the oldest universities in the world. 

10. University of Siena

Location: Siena, Italy
Year of Establishment: 1240 
QS World University Rankings: #731 
Unique Feature: The ward culture
Top Courses: Law, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, and Cultural Heritage
Alumni: Dino Giarrusso, Flavio Delbono, and Barbara Masini

The University of Siena is famous worldwide for its rich history; not just this, it is considered one of the oldest universities in the world. The university has made its mark worldwide with its academic excellence and well-established collaborations with renowned universities and research institutions from across the world. Students studying at the university get the opportunity to be part of a vibrant life and culture. The student body comprises more than 15,000 students from across the globe, widening the scope of cultural understanding and helping students develop a global perspective. This oldest university in the world is known for its high-quality education, making it one of the leading universities in Italy. 

Well, this was our list of the top 10 oldest universities in the world that have maintained their esteemed standing throughout the years. These oldest universities in the world are playing an important role in actively fostering cross-cultural interactions and contributing to a global outlook by encouraging the participation of students from diverse corners of the world.