The world prides herself in the high number of the oldest universities in the world you need to know. It is however upon the foundation which many of these oldest institutions stand for that subsequent establishments of modern universities currently build their systems. It therefore becomes pertinent that you get familiar with these so called ancient schools which have defied the dictates of time by outshining the expectations that they would have gone off the rail of standard and quality just because of their history.
This magnificent historical institutions of learning have not only outshone many of the modern universities, but that they also stand out and remain respected above, if not all, many of the universities of today. Is it their building structure, the educational standard and resources, or their academic capabilities which are reflected in the ingenuity and competence of their graduates and students the same.
The Oldest Universities in the World You Need to Know.
The oldest universities in the world you need to know begins its countdown from the popular Africa’s University of al-Qarawinyyin in Morocco, down to the one in Asia and many other continents. Below are the list of these ancient, classy and classic universities:
1. University of al-Qarawinyyin
This oldest university was founded in 859 and located in Fez, Morocco. It was founded as a mosque by Fatima al-Fihri in 857–859 and subsequently became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Islamic Golden Age. Education at the University of al-Qarawiyyin concentrates on the Islamic religious and legal sciences with a heavy emphasis on, and particular strengths in, Classical Arabic grammar/linguistics and Maliki Sharia, though lessons on non-Islamic subjects are also offered to students. In the Middle Ages, Al-Qarawiyyin made great contributions to the cultural and academic exchange between Muslims and Europeans. About 8,000 students from the Maghreb and Egypt studied here in the 14th century.
2. Al-Azhar University
Despite not gaining university status until 1961, Al-Azhar University deserves a mention in this list as it was originally established as early as 970 AD in Cairo, Egypt. Originally a ‘madrasa’, teaching students from primary to tertiary level, Al-Azhar University was first known as a center of Islamic learning but has since developed a modern curriculum of secular subjects, ensuring its survival. Through its time, the school has seen much political instability, most notably in the 12th century when a new dynasty took power and destroyed over 100,000 texts. The school also offers programs in business, economics, science, medicine, engineering and agriculture.
3. University of Bologna
Until relatively modern times, the university only taught doctorate studies, but today it has a diverse range of programs at all levels. According to the school’s Latin motto Nourishing Mother of the Studies, University of Bolognawas founded in 1088 and it is located in Bologna, Italy. It has an enrolment of around 87,760 students, of which 6,400 are international students.
Having never been out of operation, it still holds the title of the oldest university in the world. Until relatively modern times, the university only taught doctorate studies, but today it has a diverse range of programs at all levels. Famous alumni include three popes, numerous businessmen and several Italian politicians.
4. University of Oxford
Currently fifth in the world rankings, the University of Oxford is truly one of the highest-ranked and oldest universities in the world, catering to a student community of nearly 24,300 and operating the largest university press in the world. To date, University of Oxford is a highly selective institution, with an acceptance rate of approximately 17%. However, the acceptance rate for international students applying to the school is lower: around 9% only. Still, nearly half of the students attending Oxford University are from outside the UK.
While the university’s exact foundation date remains a little vague, evidence of teaching dates as far back as 1096, and some claim it was established even earlier. With an alumni list that includes 28 UK Prime Ministers, 20 Archbishops of Canterbury, 12 saints, 27 Nobel laureates, 50 Nobel Prize winners and one Sir Stephen Hawking, the University of Oxford is as respected as it is old.
5. University of Cambridge
Established in 1209 by a group of scholars leaving the University of Oxford due to political conflicts, the University of Cambridge is now ranked seventh in the world. It is however one of the oldest universities in the world you need to know. Sharing many common traditions, Oxford and Cambridge maintain a healthy sense of rivalry, which comes to a head in the famous annual Boat Race event. Cambridge has around 23,247 students, of which 5,340 come from outside the EU.
6. University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca was founded in 1134 and given the Royal Charter in 1218, making it Spain’s oldest institution, after the now defunct University of Palencia. Located to the west of Madrid, it was the institution where Christopher Columbus made a case to obtain royal support for his Indies expedition in the late 15th century. The University of Salamanca caters to around 26,746 students across its nine campuses.
7. University of Coimbra
Although originally established in the Portuguese capital in 1290, theUniversity of Coimbra is the 431st in the world rankings. It was relocated a number of times by demanding kings, finally ending up in Coimbra, the country’s third-largest urban center and home to much Roman-era history. With a student community of just over 24,000, the University of Coimbra has been through many radical reforms, and for decades in the 18th century it was the only operating university in Portugal. In 2013, the University of Coimbra was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of its historical buildings, open courtyard, cultural traditions and stunning city-wide views.
8. University of Paris
This is another of the oldest universities in the world you need to know. It was established between 1160 and 1250 in the French capital, the University of Paris, often known as La Sorbonne. It is known to have been one of the first established universities in Europe, although it was suspended from operating between 1793 and 1896 following the French Revolution. Today, the University of Paris is scattered throughout the city, having been divided into 13 autonomous institutions in 1970, all of which maintain the high reputation of the original university.
9. Harvard University, Massachusetts
The oldest university in the US was established in 1636 and it is the Harvard University in Massachusetts. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, three miles north-west of Boston, Harvard’s 209-acre campus houses 10 degree-granting schools in addition to the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums.
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally. Attending Harvard costs upwards of $51,000 in tuition fees for the 2021-2022 academic year. The school provides lucrative financial aid packages to many of its students through its large endowment fund. Most students whose families make less than $65,000 attended Harvard for free in the most recent academic year.
10. University of Naples Federico II
Founded in 1224 by Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the University of Naples – Federico II is located in Naples, Italy’s third-largest city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The University of Naples Federico II is placed joint 392nd in the world rankings (up 32 places in 2021), teaching a wide range of programs to a student community of around 80,000. Among its most famous historic alumni is the philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas.
Some of the oldest Universities in the world you need to know are:
- University of Padua
- University of Siena
- University of Santo Tomas, the Philippines
- University of Sydney, New South Wales
