The rankings of the oldest universities in the world reveal both confirmations and surprises: which universities have the longest history and what are their characteristics?
What are the oldest universities in the world? According to a ranking drawn up by an Oxford study, here are the universities around the world that can boast an ancient history, spanning a thousand years. From Morocco to Egypt to Europe, the 10 oldest universities in the world.
1. University of Al Quaraouiyine
The University of Al Quaraouiyine in Fez, Morocco is the oldest continuously operating educational institution in existence and the first in the world to award degrees, according to UNESCO and the Guinness Book of Records. The institution was incorporated into the modern Moroccan state university system in 1963. Teaching at the University of Al Quaraouiyine focuses on Islamic religious and legal sciences, with particular emphasis on classical Arabic grammar/linguistics and Maliki law.
Teaching takes place with students seated in a semicircle around a sheikh, who invites them to read sections of a text, asks them questions, and explains the more difficult points. The university is open to both men and women. The university was founded, along with an adjoining madrasa, a specific type of religious school or college for the study of the Islamic religion, by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, in 859. Fatima promised to use her inheritance to build a mosque befitting her community.
2. University of Bologna
The second-oldest university in the world is the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 in Bologna, Italy.
As the oldest university in Europe and the first ever to award degrees, it has played a major role in the development of modern legal and scientific systems.
3. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the third-oldest university in the world, founded in the 12th century in Oxford, England. With a prestigious legacy, it is today a renowned center of global learning.
As a collegiate university, its core functions are divided among 44 colleges where students live and work. The oldest colleges—University College, Merton College, and Balliol College—were all founded between 1249 and 1264. However, the newest college, Reuben College, was only founded in 2019, demonstrating how the university has continued to grow and prosper over the centuries. The university has made significant contributions in many fields and has produced illustrious alumni, from Oscar Wilde and Sir Walter Raleigh, to Dame Josephine Barnes (the first female president of the British Medical Association), 30 UK Prime Ministers, and even Hugh Grant!
4. University of Salamanca
The fourth oldest university in the world is the University of Salamanca, founded in 1134 in Salamanca, Spain. It enjoys an unmistakable reputation as the oldest university in the Spanish-speaking world and played a key role in the dissemination of knowledge during the Renaissance.
Besides being one of Europe’s top universities, it is also renowned for its architectural wonders, such as its elaborate Plateresque façade. It is also known for being the alma mater of the famous poet and astronomer Fray Luis de León, who began studying Canon Law in 1541 at just 14 years old. Numerous tributes to the poet and astronomer are found on campus, including a large statue and a well-preserved lecture hall where he taught in the 1570s.
5. University of Paris
The University of Paris is the fifth oldest university in the world, founded around 1150 in the French capital. The university is renowned for being a center of medieval culture and retains its status as a symbol of intellectual inquiry. In the Middle Ages, it was a pioneer in the study of theology and philosophy.
It also introduced educational structures that have spread throughout the world and remain traditions to this day, such as doctoral degrees! Additionally, the university has educated three Popes, eleven French presidents, and approximately 50 heads of government.
6. University of Cambridge
The second oldest university in the United Kingdom is the University of Cambridge. The university was founded in the 13th century in Cambridge, England. Over the centuries, it has had a friendly rivalry with the University of Oxford, and since 1829, the two universities have participated in an annual regatta.
The University of Cambridge has also made significant contributions in many fields: for example, Francis Crick completed his PhD there before receiving the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA. Like the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge also has a university system and is divided into 31 colleges. It remains a source of renowned research and a fundamental contribution to scientific, literary, and artistic advancement.
7. Al-Azhar University
Al-Azhar University is one of the oldest Islamic universities in the world, although it only achieved university status in 1961. It was founded in 970 AD in Cairo, Egypt, and has had a major influence on religious and intellectual traditions ever since. Before 1961, Al-Azhar was classified as a madrasa, or center of higher learning.
After being predominantly defined as a religious university, secular courses such as economics, commerce, engineering, and medicine were first introduced when Al-Azhar achieved university status in 1961.
8. University of Padua
The University of Padua was founded in 1222 in Padua, Italy, and retains its reputation as a leading center for medical education due to its prominent role in the advancement of scientific knowledge during the Renaissance period.
The university is highly prestigious and has numerous partnerships with other institutions around the world to facilitate student exchange programs.
9. University of Montpellier
The University of Montpellier was founded in 1289 in Montpellier, France, and is particularly known for its contributions to the field of medical education. Its Faculty of Medicine is the oldest medical school in the world still in operation.
The school was famous for its discussions of the Black Death in the 14th century, which focused on Galen’s theories on miasmas and the entry of disease into the body through the pores. Montpellier continues to be a renowned center for research and scientific inquiry.
10. University of Naples Federico II
One of the oldest public universities in the world is the University of Naples Federico II. Founded in 1224, the university has made significant contributions to various disciplines, including philosophy, law, and the natural sciences. It is most famous for being the oldest secular and state-run university in the world.
It is also particularly notable for its contribution to research: in 2016, it hosted the first Apple iOS Developer Academy.
Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Le università più antiche in Italia e nel mondo
