- Europe’s oldest universities, such as Bologna, Oxford, Salamanca or Montpellier combine historical significance with cutting-edge research facilities.
- They shaped the minds of historic figures, from legendary astronomers and visionaries, like Copernicus and Nostradamus, to contemporary scholars such as Stephen Hawking and Umberto Eco.
- The universities of Oxford and Cambridge rank in the top 5 best universities in the world.
- Founded in 1088
- 97,000 students, out of which 9% are international students:
- Notable Alumni: Petrarch, Nicolaus Copernicus, Umberto Eco.
- Founded in 1096
- 21,000 students, out of which 42% are international students:
- Notable Alumni: Stephen Hawking, Oscar Wilde, Malala Yousafzai.
- Founded in 1134
- 28,000 students, out of which 18% are international students
- Notable Alumni: Miguel de Cervantes, Beatriz Galindo, Francisco Suarez.
- Founded in 1150
- Notable Alumni: Thomas Aquinas, Voltaire, Simone de Beauvoir.
- Founded in 1209
- 24,000 students, out of which 38% are international students
- Notable Alumni: Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Fry, Sylvia Plath.
- Founded in 1220
- 49,000 students
- Notable Alumni: François Rabelais, Nostradamus, Sahle-Work Zewde
- Founded in 1222
- 69,000 students, out of which 7% are international students
- Notable Alumni: Andreas Vesalius, Nicolaus Copernicus, Elena Cornaro Piscopia
- Founded in 1224
- 51,000 students, out of which 2% are international students
- Notable Alumni: Thomas Aquinas, Giovani Leone, Nicola Romeo
- Founded in 1241
- Notable Alumni: Antonio Roson Perez, Isabel Celaa
- Funded in 1290
- 22,000 students, out of which 20% are international students
- Notable Alumni: Luís de Camões, Pedro Nunes, Eça de Queirós
- Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, founded in 1303. Study in the capital and heart of Italy, where you can find a piece of history in every corner of the city.
- University of Perugia, Italy, founded in 1308: Explore the roots of education in the heart of Umbria at one of Italy's oldest universities.
- Charles University, Czech Republic, founded in 1347: Dive into history at Charles University, a cornerstone of academia in the heart of Prague.
- University of Siena, Italy, founded in 1357: Join a legacy of scholars in the historic hills of Tuscany at the University of Siena.
- University of Pavia, Italy, founded in 1361: Experience a blend of innovation and tradition at the University of Pavia, a beacon of knowledge since the Renaissance.
- Jagiellonian University, Poland, founded in 1364: Walk the halls of Poland's oldest university, where centuries of scholarship meet modern research.
- University of Vienna, Austria, founded in 1365: Pursue excellence at the University of Vienna, a hub of intellectual growth in the heart of Europe.
- Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, Germany, founded in 1385: Engage with world-renowned scholars at Germany's oldest university, fostering innovative thinkers for the past seven centuries.
- University of Pisa, Italy, founded in 1400: Lean into a world-class education at the University of Pisa, a pillar of academic and architectural prestige.
- University of Turin, Italy, founded in 1404: Explore diverse disciplines and historic campuses at the University of Turin, where heritage meets modern education.
Universities as we know them today were born in Europe many centuries ago. From the cobblestone streets of Bologna to the grand halls of Oxford, the lecture rooms of these universities witnessed and shaped the Western World. What’s more, all these ancient universities are still top-ranking institutions, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, high-quality education, and excellent research.
Let's explore the oldest universities in Europe, each with its own fascinating story to tell.
1. University of Bologna, Italy:
Imagine studying at the oldest university in Europe — actually, the first university in the world – knowing you walk the same beautiful halls as some of the most important historical figures. The University of Bologna has a Multicampus structure with campuses in five Italian cities: Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini.
The University of Bologna was founded by a guild of students, and its birth coincides with the birth of the modern university system. It is known as the Alma Mater Studiorum, which in Latin means “nourishing mother of studies.” In 1999, the leaders of 29 countries came to Bologna to sign the Declaration of Bologna, which reshaped and harmonised European higher education by introducing the Three-Cycle system (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Phd) and a way to easily recognise university grades across the continent (the ECTS credit system).
2. University of Oxford, United Kingdom:
Ranked as the number one university in Europe (and 4th in the world according to Studyportals Meta Ranking), the University of Oxford embodies academic excellence and tradition. Moreover, today, half of all its students are international students.
Oxford has 43 colleges, most of which are independent communities with their own students, professors, and staff. Oxford’s Bodleian Library is the second largest library in Britain and holds one of the oldest and rarest collections of books in Europe.
Both the city of Oxford and the University of Oxford have charming medieval vibes, with their picturesque college quadrangles (inner courts) and cobblestone streets. This is the place where Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings and where, among other noteworthy achievements, the rules of modern football were born.
3. University of Salamanca, Spain:
Established in 1134, the University of Salamanca is the oldest university in Spain and is known particularly for its excellence in Language Studies, Laws, and Economics.
The university building is full of charm. It has plateresque architecture, a style specific to Spain, with highly decorated facades, floral designs, chandeliers, and fantastic creatures. There is also a hidden frog carved into the intricate ornaments on the university’s facade, believed to bring good luck to those who find it.
The University of Salamanca has the oldest university library in Spain, and it looks very much like the library of Hogwarts, with secret passages under its floors and medieval manuscripts on its shelves.
4. University of Paris, France:
The University of Paris played a big role in shaping the Western way of thinking. It was the first to divide into different faculties (of Arts, Medicine, and Canon Law), a structure which was later adopted by most universities in the world.
Today, the University of Paris no longer exists in the same form as it did 9 centuries ago, but 13 French universities draw their origins from it. Among them, Paris Sorbonne, Paris Cité, and Paris Saclay are some of the most reputed and high-ranking French universities. The remaining in this group of 13 are known as Paris 1, Paris 2, and so on.
5. University of Cambridge, United Kingdom:
One of the top five universities in the world, the University of Cambridge, was founded by a group of scholars from Oxford University who had to leave there because of a conflict with local townspeople. The two, Oxford and Cambridge, are known collectively as the Oxbridge and, like true sisters, are at times rivals and other times friends. They are also the oldest and wealthiest universities in the UK.
Cambridge University’s motto says, “Hinc lucem et pocula sacra / From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.” To support the claim, the university has 116 libraries, which hold approximately 16 million books. Moreover, among the Cambridge alumni and affiliates are 121 Nobel Prize Laureates and 47 Heads of State.
6. University of Montpellier, France:
The University of Montpellier has a rich tradition of excellence in Medicine and Law. The university began as a Medical School in 1180 and is the first (and oldest) practising Faculty of Medicine in the West.
60 years later, it was transformed into the University of Montpellier, receiving the name Studium Generale. At that time, it was the only university in France that offered degrees in four disciplines: Medicine, Law, Literature, and Theology.
Montpellier offers you a unique blend of vibrant student life, rich historical heritage, and access to stunning natural landscapes. The Place de la Comédie in the heart of the city is bustling with cafes, shops, and street performers. But if you want to escape the city buzz, you can always try the Jardin des Plantes, one of the oldest botanical gardens in France
7. University of Padua, Italy:
The University of Padua is renowned for its contributions to Medicine and Natural Sciences. Galileo Galilei, one of the greatest scientists of all time, was a lecturer at Padua, where worked on improving the telescope and discovered Jupiter’s biggest four moons (the Galilean moons).
This tradition of excellence continues today with The Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori, a school of excellence that brings together traditional academic education with lectures and seminars held by famous visiting professors.
As the first university to award a doctorate degree to a woman, Elena Cornaro Piscopia, the University of Padua cherishes freedom of thought, and that’s reflected in its motto – Universa Universis Patavina Libertas. Paduan Freedom is Universal for Everyone.
8. University of Naples Federico II, Italy:
The University of Naples Federico II was born at the initiative of King Federico II to challenge the dominance of Padua and Bologna. King Federico II was both founder and the highest authority at the University of Naples. He hired professors who became royal employees, examined candidates, and awarded degrees. What’s more, students and professors were not allowed to study or teach in other universities.
If you are in love with history and travel, you will also love to study here. The Historic Centre of Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a treasure trove of history with its narrow alleyways, ancient churches, and vibrant piazzas. You will also love the vibrant atmosphere and the authentic taste of the famous Neapolitan pizza.
9. University of Valladolid, Spain:
The University of Valladolid is renowned for its strong programmes in Law, Arts, and Humanities, as well as its Engineering and Architecture schools. The University of Valladolid has beautiful baroque and gothic architecture which fits perfectly with the medieval streets of the old town, where you can enjoy regional dishes in traditional tapas bars. The university has four campuses in Valladolid, Soria, Segovia, and Palencia, all in the peaceful region of Castile and Leon, which is considered the cradle of the Spanish language.
The University of Valladolid offers many extra activities for students like festivals, theatre performances, cultural visits, and more. One such event is "Universijazz," an international jazz festival.
10. University of Coimbra, Portugal:
10th on our list, the University of Coimbra is Portugal's oldest university. Initially, the university was established in Lisbon and moved to Coimbra in 1537. Coimbra was the first (and only) university in Portugal until the early 20th century.
The University has unique traditions like Queima das Fitas, meaning “the Burning of the Ribbons”. This eight-day event celebrates the end of academic courses by burning ribbons that symbolize each faculty. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy fado performances and learn side-by-side with a colony of bats; the Joanina Library at the University of Coimbra houses a colony of bats to protect ancient manuscripts from insects, a unique conservation method still in use today.
The list of top 20 oldest in Europe continues with these universities
Europe's runner-up oldest universities, are also ancient. Dive deeper into Europe's academic heritage by browsing the second half of the top 20 oldest universities, each boasting centuries of educational excellence and scholarly tradition:
Find Master's degrees in Europe
If you consider one of these historic universities to become part of your academic journey, they promise a unique experience. They offer centuries of tradition in research, the highest academic standards, and cultural immersion. What’s more, many of them represent a chance to study amidst old cobblestone streets and historic halls while enjoying cutting-edge research facilities. For many students, this might just be the perfect academic dream.