Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World with Rankings
The top 10 Oldest Universities in the World are given in this article. It includes details of those universities, top universities in Canada, USA, UK, and Australia.
Supriya Shrivastava16 Nov, 2024
Share
Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World : Universities have existed for centuries. The Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World were founded before the end of the thirteenth century. Though some of the oldest in the world universities were divided into separate colleges or been integrated into a new university completely, it is interesting to see how each university has changed with modern situations to remain important.
Many of these universities are now among the Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World. With six universities in Europe, two in the United Kingdom, and two in Africa, there is much to learn from the unique histories of each university. Here are the Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World listed by official founding year.English Speaking Countries List
List of Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World
Below is a list of the top 10 Oldest Universities in the World that continue to admit students. The university's place and year of formation are displayed next to its name.| Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World | ||
| University | Location | Year of Establishment |
| University of Al-Qarawiyyin | Morocco | 859 AD |
| Al-Azhar University | Egypt | 970 AD |
| The University of Bologna | Italy | 1088 |
| The University of Oxford | UK | 1096 |
| The University of Paris | France | 1160-1250 |
| University of Cambridge | UK | 1209 |
| University of Salamanca | Spain | 1218 |
| University of Toulouse | Europe | 1229 |
| University of Naples Federico II | Naples | 1224 |
| University of Padua | Europe | 1222 |
University of al-Qarawiyyin
It is one of the Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World. The University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, has a long and interesting history. It claims to be the world's oldest continuously working university (established in 859 AD) and has served as a light of knowledge for ages. Al-Qarawiyyin was important in conserving and spreading Islamic knowledge while also succeeding in subjects like medicine, astronomy, and law.Countries Accepting IELTS Score
Al-Azhar University
Al-Azhar University is Egypt's oldest degree-granting organization, known as "Sunni Islam's university." The institution is in charge of a nationwide system of schools that serve around 2 million students. Its primary aim is to spread Islam and Islamic culture, and it trains Egyptian government-appointed preachers in proselytization. In Egypt, its library ranks second only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives.University of Bologna
The University of Bologna is the world's third oldest university, with five colleges and 31 departments. The University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and is known for its research programs. Previously, the university offered only doctoral courses, but now it offers a variety of fields for study. Currently, 7630 international students are enrolled here. It employs around 3,122 educators and 3,105 experienced staff members.Click Here for IELTS Online Courses
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is one of the oldest in the English-speaking world, established in 1096. It is one of the world's oldest universities and one of the top five. From 2017 to 2024 (present), it ranked top in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.University of Paris
The University of Paris (Université de Paris) is one of Europe's oldest and biggest institutions. Although no official records specify the exact date of establishment, it has been known that education was conducted there between 1160 and 1250. After the French Revolution, the university stopped activities from 1793 and 1896, but in 1970, the university underwent a reform and 13 autonomous colleges were founded, including the well-known Sorbonne University. Every year, about 60,000 local and international students enroll here.| IELTS Exam Important Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Syllabus | IELTS Band Score | IELTS Exam Dates |
| IELTS Exam Fees | IELTS Exam Pattern | IELTS Score Validity |
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, is the world's sixth-oldest university and one of the top ten. It has been attracting learners and educators from all over the world to its top academic divisions. The university campus, known for its stunning large gothic-style architectural design and world-class infrastructure, is a visual delight. Renowned for its creative studies and outcomes, the university is a dream for many, with brilliant students from all over the world applying for admission each year.University of Salamanca
Salamanca University was established in 1218. It is situated in Salamanca, Spain. It is among the world's seven oldest universities. This university right now has around 24,700 students enrolled in law, education, arts, business, and other programs. International students represent 13% of the overall student population. The Salamanca University is Spain's oldest. Its educational history goes over more than 800 years. This university is the only Spanish educational organization that has remained active over the centuries.University of Toulouse
The University of Toulouse was one of the earliest institutions to establish itself in Europe. It is located in Toulouse, a huge, modern city famous for its art, history, and culture, but it has the air of a town. The University of Toulouse, which closed in 1793 because of the French Revolution, no longer exists as a separate university. However, numerous different "successor" universities adopted the name from the Université fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées (UFTMP), an organization of universities and higher education institutions.University of Naples Federico II
The University of Naples Federico II is a state-supported, public, non-religious university in Naples, a city located on the Bay of Naples and near Mount Vesuvius, the still-active volcano responsible for Pompeii. The university is now divided into 13 departments under three semi-independent divisions: Science and Technology, Life Sciences, and Social and Human Sciences. These are in charge of the research and education at thirteen colleges and 82 departments.University of Padua
The University of Padua is a public university located in a city renowned for its paintings, magnificent arcaded roads, and trendy cafes popular among students. The university presently participates in academic and scientific research at both the European and international levels. It also runs nine museums, one of which is dedicated to the history of physics.| IELTS Exam Important Links | |
|---|---|
| IELTS Reading Band Score | IELTS Listening Band Score |
| IELTS Speaking Band Score | IELTS Writing Band Score |
High-Ranking Oldest Universities in the World
Many of the world's oldest universities have excellent worldwide university rankings. These rankings are based on different criteria, including research production, academic reputation, student happiness, and more. The QS World University Rankings is one of the most reputable and widely used university rating systems in the world. Here's a table of the world's top ten oldest universities, along with their location and university ranking:| Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World | ||
| Universities | QS World Ranking 2024 | Founded In |
| University of Cambridge | #2 | 1209 |
| University of Oxford | #3 | 1096 |
| Harvard University | #4 | 1636 |
| Yale University | #16 | 1701 |
| McGill University | #30 | 1821 |
Oldest Universities in the USA
The United States has some of the most prominent and oldest colleges in the world. With over 4,000 educational institutions and universities, the United States is a center of higher education, taking students from all over the world. Each year, several Indian students go to the United States to further their studies. Here's a table indicating the top five oldest universities in the United States, along with their average tuition costs:| Top 10 oldest universities in the USA | ||
| Universities | Founded In | Avg Tuition Fees |
| Harvard University | 1636 | INR 33L - INR 53L |
| College of William & Mary | 1693 | INR 24.5L - INR 1Cr |
| St. John’s College | 1996 | INR 37.5L |
| Yale University | 1701 | INR 12L - INR 85L |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1740 | INR 29L - INR 50L |
Oldest Universities in the UK
The United Kingdom has some of the world's most prominent and oldest universities. The UK's higher education system comprises a wide and diversified network of universities and colleges. Here's a table of the top five oldest universities in UK:| Top 10 oldest universities in UK | ||
|---|---|---|
| Universities | Founded In | Avg Tuition Fees |
| University of Oxford | 1096 | INR 10.5L - INR 55L |
| University of Cambridge | 1209 | INR 27L - INR 72L |
| University of St Andrews | 1413 | INR 38L - INR 39L |
| University of Glasgow | 1451 | INR 11.3L - INR 60L |
| University of Aberdeen | 1495 | INR 21L |
Oldest Universities in Canada
Canada has approximately 100 universities, each providing a broad range of degrees and fields. The country's oldest universities have a long history and continue to attract students from all around the globe. Here's a table of the top 10 oldest universities in Canada:| Top 10 oldest universities in Canada | ||
| Universities | Founded In | Avg tuition fees |
| Université Laval | 1663 | INR 18L – INR 24L |
| University of New Brunswick | 1785 | INR 20L |
| University of King’s College | 1789 | INR 20.5L |
| McGill University | 1821 | INR 16.4L - INR 37L |
| University of Toronto | 1827 | INR 18L - INR 50L |
Oldest Universities in Australia
More than 40 universities in Australia provide different courses and programs. According to current figures, Australia remains a popular destination for Indian students, with India ranking as the second-largest source country for international student enrollment, accounting for a significant total of 1,22,391 students in Australian institutions. Here's a table of the top 10 oldest universities in Australia:| Top 10 oldest universities in Australia | ||
| Universities | Founded In | Avg tuition fees |
| The University of Sydney | 1850 | INR 16L - INR 20L |
| The University of Melbourne | 1853 | INR 22L - INR 25L |
| University of Tasmania | 1842 | INR 17L - INR INR 47.5L |
| Federation University Australia | 1870 | INR 12.5L - INR 16.3L |
| The University of Adelaide | 1874 | INR 25L |
PW IELTS Prep
PW IELTS online coaching provides an organized preparation plan, making learning easier. PW provides both General and Academic Training for IELTS Coaching.Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World FAQs
Q1 - Which is the Oldest University in the World?
Ans - The University of Al-Karaouine in Morocco was established in 859 AD, making it the world's oldest university. It is a prestigious university with a wide variety of courses.
Q2 - What are the three Oldest Universities in the World?
Ans - The world's three oldest universities are the University of Bologna, the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, and the University of Salamanca in Spain. They were all established in the 11th and 12th centuries and have an outstanding record of academic achievement.
Q3 - Which is the oldest University in Canada?
Ans - The University of New Brunswick was established in 1785 and is the oldest university in Canada. It is one of North America's oldest public colleges, with its campus in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Live & recorded classes available at easeDashboard for progress trackingMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Free Learning Resources
PW Books
Notes (Class 10-12)
PW Study Materials
Notes (Class 6-9)
Ncert Solutions
Govt Exams
Class 6th to 12th Online Courses
Govt Job Exams Courses
UPSC Coaching
Defence Exam Coaching
Gate Exam Coaching
Other Exams
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.
