Exploring the 20 Oldest Universities in the World

There’s something quietly powerful about stepping into a university that has been educating students for centuries. These institutions existed long before digital learning platforms, AI-assisted research tools, and global university rankings, yet many still rate among the most respected universities in the world. Today, students walk across medieval courtyards with laptops under their arms, attending seminars that blend old traditions with modern learning, in spaces where ideas have been debated for generations. While there are now more than 25,000 universities worldwide, only a small number can claim to be at the roots of academia.

It’s no surprise that all of the world’s oldest educational institutions are located in Europe, where the specific model of university education began. Italy leads the way with nine of the oldest universities still in operation, followed by the UK, France, and Spain each home to two. The remaining singletons are distributed across Portugal, the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Germany, reflecting early centres of learning in religion, law, medicine, and philosophy.

Below, we explore 20 of the world’s oldest universities, where and when they began, what they’re known for today, whether they also offer instruction in English, and how they continue to shape excellence in modern education.

University Name	Country	Year Founded	English Instruction
University of Bologna	Italy	1088 AD	Sì
University of Oxford	United Kingdom	1096 AD	Yes
University of Salamanca	Spain	1134 AD	Sí
University of Paris (Sorbonne)	France	1150 AD	Oui
University of Cambridge	United Kingdom	1209 AD	Yes
University of Padua	Italy	1222 AD	Sì
University of Naples Federico II	Italy	1224 AD	Sì
University of Valladolid	Spain	1241 AD	No
University of Montpellier	France	1289 AD	Oui
University of Coimbra	Portugal	1290 AD	Sim
University of Macerata	Italy	1290 AD	Sì
University of Perugia	Italy	1308 AD	Sì
University of Florence	Italy	1321 AD	Sì
University of Pisa	Italy	1342 AD	Sì
Charles University	Czech Republic	1348 AD	Ano
University of Siena	Italy	1357 AD	Sì
University of Pavia	Italy	1361 AD	Sì
Jagiellonian University	Poland	1364 AD	Tak
University of Vienna	Austria	1365 AD	Jo
University of Heidelberg	Germany	1386 AD	Ja

1.     University of Bologna, Italy (1088 AD)

Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna sits in the center of the city that shares its name, a place where medieval arches, lively piazzas, and student energy all collide. The university is the oldest in Europe and was the first degree-awarding institution in higher education, renowned today for its faculties in law, medicine, and arts.

One of Bologna’s most striking features is the historic Archiginnasio building (depicted above), once the main university seat and still home to the extraordinary anatomical theater carved almost entirely from wood. It’s the kind of place where you can feel centuries of scholarship in the air.

Famous alumni: Pope Alexander VI, poet Dante Alighieri (author of the Divine Comedy), astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, and Guglielmo Marconi, whose invention of the radio changed communication forever.

2.     University of Oxford, UK (1096 AD)

Leaders of thought once gathered in small chambers and halls to discuss theology, science, and philosophy back when the University of Oxford was founded in 1096. Today, it’s a renowned global center of learning, with 44 colleges spread across a city full of beautiful scenery, architecture, and parks where students live and work.

Some of the oldest colleges, including University College, Balliol, and Merton, date back to the 13th century. Christ Church College, founded by King Henry VIII in 1546, is known for its beauty, with the grand hall inspiring the dining hall scenes in the Harry Potter movies. Oxford continues to evolve, most recently with the opening of Reuben College in 2019.

Famous alumni: Literary giant Oscar Wilde, scientific pioneer Stephen Hawking, and UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

3.     University of Salamanca, Spain (1134 AD)

Founded in 1134 and formally recognized in 1218, the University of Salamanca is located in western Spain and is considered the oldest university in the Hispanic world. Spread across nine campuses and home to around 26,000 students, Spain’s oldest university has strong faculties in humanities, law, and social sciences.

The Spanish spoken in Salamanca is often regarded as among the purest in the world, a reputation reinforced by the university’s role in standardizing Spanish grammar in the 15th century. Its most iconic landmark is the richly carved facade, famous for the “frog on the skull,” which students traditionally search for as a good-luck ritual before exams.

Famous alumni: Explorer Hernán Cortés, poet and theologian Luis de León, and writer Miguel de Cervantes (author of Don Quixote).

4.     University of Paris (Sorbonne), France (1150 AD)

One of Europe’s earliest centers of learning, the University of Paris was established around 1150 in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Initially, classes were held in churches and monastic buildings and the university’s reputation grew quickly, especially in the fields of theology, philosophy, and liberal arts.

Teaching was halted during the French Revolution (1793 and 1896), but La Sorbonne’s influence remained. In 1970, it was reorganized into 13 independent institutions scattered across Paris, covering fields such as political science, economics, law, and business.

Famous alumni: Voltaire, Nobel laureate and physicist Marie Curie, and the father of deep learning – Yann LeCun.

5.     University of Cambridge, UK (1209 AD)

Established in 1209 after a controversial political dispute pushed Oxford scholars to relocate, the University of Cambridge grew into one of the world’s most influential centers of learning. Its colleges line the River Cam, where traditions like the annual Boat Race against Oxford still shape the university’s identity.

Cambridge is known for its scientific breakthroughs—the Cavendish Laboratory produced discoveries such as the electron, the structure of DNA, and the splitting of the atom—while its historic chapels and courts preserve centuries of academic life.

Famous alumni: Physicist Isaac Newton, evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin, mathematician Alan Turing, and conservationist Jane Goodall.

6.     University of Padua, Italy (1222 AD)

The University of Padua was founded in 1222 when a group of scholars left Bologna looking for greater academic freedom. It quickly became a leading center for medicine, law, and philosophy, with its medical school laying the groundwork for modern anatomy. Even polymath Galileo taught at the university for nearly 20 years.

Padua boasts the world’s oldest surviving anatomical theater, built in 1594, where students once studied the human body by flickering lamplight. The university also established the Botanical Garden of Padua in 1545, one of the oldest academic gardens in the world.

Famous alumni: Galileo, Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, anatomist Andreas Vesalius, and physician William Harvey – discoverer of blood circulation.

7.     University of Naples Federico II, Italy (1224 AD)

Founded in 1224 by Emperor Frederick II, the University of Naples is recognized as the world’s oldest state-funded university. Created to provide high-level education independent of church influence, it became an important institution for studies in law, humanities, and natural sciences.

The university is home to specialized museums in mineralogy and paleontology as well as the Apple Developer Academy, a testament to both its history and forward-looking approach. Students attending Naples University benefit from a city rich in history, a lively atmosphere, and stunning views (including Mount Vesuvius).

Famous alumni: Philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential thinkers in Western intellectual history.

8.     University of Valladolid, Spain (1241 AD)

Established in 1241, the University of Valladolid quickly became a key center for law, philosophy, and theology, shaping academic life in medieval Castile. Today, it stretches across several campuses and four cities, reflecting its enduring regional influence.

Cultural life is central to the university’s identity, with vibrant music and theater programs, including one of Spain’s oldest university theater groups. Its blend of historic architecture and active student culture keeps Valladolid a hub of learning and creativity.

Famous alumni: Renowned Spanish Romantic poet and playwright José Zorrilla and many influential figures in law, economics, and politics.

9.     University of Montpellier, France (1289 AD)

Teaching in Montpellier dates back to the 12th century, but the university was formally recognized in 1289. It became renowned for its contributions to medicine, science, and research, with its medical faculty earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most respected.

The medical school famously rejected the superstition surrounding the Black Death, insisting the plague had natural causes, which was a remarkably forward-thinking position for the time. Montpellier’s historic buildings, vibrant atmosphere, and close proximity to the coast make it a popular student destination.

Famous alumni: Famous physician Nostradamus and iconic French fashion designer Christian Lacroix.

10.     University of Coimbra, Portugal (1290 AD)

The University of Coimbra is Portugal’s oldest university (founded in 1290) and one of Europe’s most atmospheric. Originally established in Lisbon, it moved between cities several times before settling permanently in Coimbra, where it built a reputation in law, science, and technological research.

The university’s hilltop campus is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the striking Joanina Library, which houses rare manuscripts and even resident bats that protect the books from insects. Coimbra’s modern research centers now include advanced facilities like supercomputing labs, blending heritage with innovation.

Famous alumni: Portugal’s national poet Luís de Camões, and mathematician Pedro Nunes.

11.     University of Macerata, Italy (1290 AD)

Perched on a hill in the charming Marche region of central Italy, the University of Macerata was initially a centre for legal study when it was established in 1290. Today the university is dedicated exclusively to the fields of humanities and socio-economic sciences, with programmes ranging from languages, history, and philosophy to economics and law.

Students benefit from resources like the Giacomo Leopardi School for higher studies and research as well as the Confucius Institute that promotes Chinese language and culture. Macerata itself is a historic and elegant town, home to a neoclassical amphitheatre that holds summer opera festivals and with close proximity to the coast and stunning beaches.

Famous alumni: Includes the former Italian Prime Minister, Francesco Saverio Nitti, and other influential Italian politicians as well as pioneers in literature, science, and arts.

12.     University of Perugia, Italy (1308 AD)

One of Italy’s oldest public universities (founded in 1308), the University of Perugia is based in the heart of Umbria, a region known for its rolling green hills, medieval towns, and rich food culture. This includes the city’s iconic Baci chocolates (hazelnut-filled chocolate pralines wrapped in romantic messages).

Perugia quickly became an important center for law, humanities, and early scientific study. Today, the university’s blend of ancient architecture and lively student life gives it a distinctly close-knit feel. Its historic buildings sit among cobbled streets, Renaissance palaces, and lively cafés.

Famous alumni: Ranging from 11 popes dating back to the 14th century to American artist Suze Rotolo (a major influence on Bob Dylan’s music).

13.     University of Florence, Italy (1321 AD)

Florence is a city renowned for its art, culture, and history, and the university (established in 1321) is inextricably linked to the city’s rich cultural heritage. The disciplines taught initially were law, literature, and medicine, but this has since evolved to 146 degree courses spanning diverse subject areas and an impressive reputation as a research university.

The university is now split into 10 schools located across Florence’s historical buildings and more modern facilities, such as the Novoli Campus. For students, the opportunity to study in Florence is unique, almost like being in a living museum for humanities, art, and architecture. 

Famous alumni: Diplomat and author Niccolo Machiavelli, fashion designer Donatella Versace, and many influential figures in politics, law, economics, and arts.

14.     University of Pisa, Italy (1342 AD)

Yes, it’s near the Leaning Tower, but the University of Pisa is far more than a tourist backdrop. Long associated with science, mathematics, and engineering, it was here that Galileo Galilei once studied and later taught, helping to shape the university’s lasting reputation for scientific enquiry.

One of the world’s oldest botanical gardens, founded in the 16th century, still operates as part of the university, reinforcing Pisa’s long-standing connection to scientific study. Despite this serious academic background, Pisa feels relaxed and walkable, a place where student life moves between historic buildings and modern lecture halls.

Famous alumni: Father of modern science, Galileo Galilei, opera singer Andrea Bocelli, and Nobel laureate in medicine (neuroscience), Rita Levi-Montalcini.

15.     Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (1348 AD)

Charles University is the oldest university in Central Europe and remains the intellectual backbone of Prague. Founded in 1348, its faculties are spread across the Old Town, tucked between Gothic spires, café-lined squares, and winding streets.

Over the centuries, Charles University has been at the center of Czech cultural and political life, with students and professors playing key roles in reform movements, resistance efforts, and the shaping of modern Czech identity. The university is considered a leader in research across subjects including geology, earth science, philosophy, and political science.

Famous alumni: Influential writer Franz Kafka, historical reformer Jan Hus, and Nobel Prize–winning chemist Jaroslav Heyrovský.

16.     University of Siena, Italy (1357 AD)

Although its origins trace back earlier, the University of Siena is traditionally dated to 1357, when it became a fully established public institution. Situated in the heart of Tuscany, it has a strong academic reputation in law, economics, and medicine.

Siena’s campus is woven into the beautiful city itself, with teaching spaces housed inside medieval buildings and palazzi. Many faculties occupy structures overlooking Siena’s famous Piazza del Campo, where the Palio (bareback horse race) is held twice a year. Few universities offer such an immersive blend of academic life and medieval townscape.

Famous alumni: The university has produced many historical figures, including Pope Alexander VII, Italian Prime Ministers, and many notable scientists and writers.

17.     University of Pavia, Italy (1361 AD)

While its academic roots stretch back to the 9th century, the University of Pavia was officially established in 1361 and has since become known for its strength in science and medicine.

Students benefit from a distinctive Italian college system, often compared to Oxford and Cambridge, which creates a close-knit academic community. Alongside this, the university offers a broad range of programmes, from law and economics to engineering and musicology, supported by an active student culture and close proximity to Milan.

Famous alumni: Nobel laureate and neuroscientist Camillo Golgi, Alessandro Volta (who invented the electric battery), and mathematician Luigi Cremona.

18.     Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland (1364 AD)

Jagiellonian University is located in the middle of Kraków’s Old Town. The main buildings sit just off the old town square, with lectures, cafés, bookshops, and medieval streets blending into one another and student life feeling deeply woven into the city.

The Collegium Maius is a beautiful Gothic complex that still hosts academic life today and is best known for its links to astronomy, with Nicolaus Copernicus once studying here. The real appeal of this university is the atmosphere: traditional and intellectual, but not intimidating.

Famous alumni: Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (who also attended the University of Bologna) and Pope John Paul II.

19.     University of Vienna, Austria (1365 AD)

The University of Vienna is one of Europe’s largest universities and is renowned for its programs in psychology, philosophy, and the social sciences, with Sigmund Freud counted among its former students. Its influence is woven into the city’s rich culture of debate and critical thinking, making it a place where ideas have been challenged, shaped, and shared for centuries.

Students benefit from strikingly diverse facilities, from the futuristic, fluid-form library and learning center designed by Zaha Hadid, to the ceremonial hall adorned with copies of Gustav Klimt’s ceiling paintings, and the historic main building with its grand architecture, central courtyard, and fountain.

Famous alumni: Biologist Gregor Mendel, founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, physicist Erwin Schrödinger known for quantum theory and hypothetical cats, mathematical logician Kurt Gödel, revolutionary scientist Wilhelm Reich, cofounder of the marginal revolution in economics Carl Menger, seminal Austrian economist and classical liberalism theorist Ludwig von Mises, and Frederich Hayek – Nobel prize-winning economist renowned for his articulation of emergent order.

20.     University of Heidelberg, Germany (1386 AD)

Heidelberg might be the most storybook university town in Germany. Affectionately known as Ruperto Carola, a name that honours its founder, the university sits at the heart of a city defined by cobbled streets, the Neckar River, and castle ruins overlooking the old town.

As Germany’s oldest university, Heidelberg is known for world-class research in medicine and the sciences, while still holding on to its philosophical roots. Beyond its academic reputation, the university is central to life in this charming city. Home to around 39,000 students, Heidelberg combines a lively atmosphere with a strong international presence.

Famous alumni: John Amos Comenius – the father of modern education, philosopher and political theorist Hannah Arendt, and classical composer Robert Schumann.

Wrapping up

What all of these universities share, beyond their impressive age, is a commitment to learning that has endured wars, revolutions, monarchies, and the entire digital age. Their campuses continue to evolve, their disciplines expand, and their alumni shape everything from literature to global politics. Whether you’re drawn to ancient libraries, pioneering research, or the idea of studying where generations of scholars once walked, these institutions offer the chance to be part of a living history that’s still being written.