Top-5 Oldest Universities in the World, Know About Them

The oldest universities of the world have a long history of education. They began many centuries ago and are still important centres of learning today. In this article, we will know about the top-5 oldest universities in the world, their established and location.

Akansha Arora Last updated on May 17th, 2025 05:16 pm

Many universities around the world have a long and rich history. Some of them were started hundreds of years ago and are still running today. These places have helped shape education and have taught many great thinkers, scientists and leaders. They are known for their old buildings, traditions and strong leadership systems. In this article, we will know about the top-5 oldest universities in the world, their established and location.

Top-5 Oldest Universities in the World

The oldest universities of the world have a long history of education. They began many centuries ago and are still important centres of learning today. Here are the names of top-5 oldest universities of the world:

University of al-Qarawiyyin
Al-Azhar University
University of Bolgona
University of Oxford
University of Salamanca

World’s Oldest University – University of al-Qarawiyyin

The University of al-Qarawiyyin, located in Fez, Morocco, was founded by Fatima al-Fihri between 857 and 859 as a mosque. Over time, it became an important center for learning during the Islamic Golden Age. It was officially made part of Morocco’s modern university system in 1963. Many people consider it the oldest university in the world that has been running continuously. The building itself is also famous for its beautiful and historic Moroccan and Islamic architecture.

Second Oldest University of the World – Al-Azhar University

Al-Azhar University , located in Cairo, Egypt, is the second oldest university in the world. It was started for Islamic learning and is one of the most respected places for studying Islam. Along with higher education, it runs many schools across Egypt, teaching around two million students. As of 1996, more than 4,000 teaching institutes were linked to Al-Azhar University.

World’s Third Oldest University – University of Bologna

The University of Bologna, in Italy, is the third oldest university in the world. It began teaching around 1088 and is the oldest university in Europe still running today. It was the first to award degrees and became famous for its student-led system. Known as the ”Nourishing mother of studies,” it now has over 90,000 students and is one of Europe’s largest universities.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford, in England, is the fourth oldest university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Teaching began around 1096. It grew quickly after English students were banned from studying in Paris in 1167. In 1209, some Oxford scholars moved and started the University of Cambridge. Together, Oxford and Cambridge are known as ”Oxbridge” and are famous for their long academic traditions.

University of Salamanca

The University of Salamanca, in Spain, is the fifth oldest university in the world and the oldest in the Hispanic world. It was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX. Known for its rich history, it has played an important role in education and Spanish exploration. Today, it welcomes over 30,000 students from around 50 different countries, making it a global center of learning.