Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World

Here is a list of top 10 oldest universities in the world. Surprisingly, some of them are still functioning and going strong till date.

1. University of Bologna

 

University of Bologna is the first University in the world and was founded as far back as 1088. The Word ‘University’ was actually derived from its foundation. It is located in Italy with about 100,000 students in its 23 schools.

 

2. University of Paris

The exact date of establishment of the University of Paris is unknown but it is believed that it was established sometime between 1150 and 1170. The university was suspended for a Century (between 1793 and 1896) and then ceased to exist in 1770 although 13 autonomous universities were created from it (The University of Paris 1-XIII)

3. University of Oxford

 

It is believed that the University of Oxford was founded in 1167 but there are other claims that the University was in existence in the mid-800’s. The University of Oxford is one of the most coveted schools in the world today.

4. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge in England was established in 1209 after a dispute in the University of Oxford led to the execution of two scholars. The university was granted a royal charter in 1231.

5. University of Salamanca

 

 The University of Salamanca was believed to have been founded in 1134 and is the third oldest university in continuous operation in Europe

 

6. University of Padua, Italy

 

 

 The University of Padua was initially founded as a school of law in 1222 by a group of professors and scholars from the University of Bologna. It’s curricular quickly expanded and was eventually divided into three distinct universities.

The Universitas Luristaram for Law, the Universitas Art Tantrum for medicine, philosophy, astronomy and some other science and art related courses and the University Theologorum for theology.

7. University of Naples Federico II

The University of Naples Federico II is also located in Italy. It was founded in 1224 and it is one of the oldest universities in the world named after its founder Federeco II the emperor of the Italy Roman Empire. The famous philosopher “Thomas Aquinas” was a graduate of the university of Naples Federico.

 

8. Toloulose

  

The formation of this university was part of the treaty of Paris in 1229 ending the crusade against the Albinesing and was imposed on Count Raymond VIII. Count Raymond was suspected to be sympathizing with the heretics, and was forced to establish the University for the teaching of theology.
Amongst the first founders and lecturers of the university were Jean De Garlande, Bishop Foul Quede Tourlouse and Roland of Cremona.

9. University of Siena

 

The University of Siena, Italy was founded in 1240 and is located in Siena, Tuscany. It is the first publicly founded university and its entire student population is about half the size of the population of Siena.

10. University of Valladolid

 

The University of Valladolid is the 10^th oldest university in the world having been established in 1241 in Valladolid Castile-Leon, Spain. The university still functions today and has over 31000 students and 2000 teachers. 

That is all, the Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World..