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10 of the Oldest Universities in the World That Are Still Operating

These ancient universities in Asia, Africa, and Europe have even the oldest U.S. institutions beat by centuries.

By Stacy Conradt

The Radcliffe Camera at the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
The Radcliffe Camera at the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. / joe daniel price/Moment/Getty Images
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Universities in the United States can’t compete with the longevity of those in other parts of the world. Harvard University, founded in 1636, claims it’s "the first college in the American colonies,” while the College of William and Mary, whose alumni include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe, was founded in 1693 and says it’s the first college to become a university. But schools in Asia, Europe, and northern Africa have these American colleges beat by centuries.

While many of the longest-lived institutions have gone through multiple permutations over the years, the following remain among the oldest universities still operating.

  1. Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences // Iran
  2. University of Al-Karaouine // Morocco
  3. Al-Azhar University // Egypt
  4. University of Bologna // Italy
  5. University of Paris // France
  6. University of Oxford // England
  7. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia // Italy
  8. University of Cambridge // England
  9. University of Salamanca // Spain
  10. University of Montpellier // France

Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences // Iran

A portrait of Abu Ali al-Husain ibn Abdallah ibn Sina, a.k.a. Avicenna, Iranian physician and philosopher (980-1037).
A portrait of Abu Ali al-Husain ibn Abdallah ibn Sina, a.k.a. Avicenna, Iranian physician and philosopher (980-1037). / Stefano Bianchetti/Corbis via Getty Images

This medical school in Khuzestan Province, Iran, was founded around 200 BCE by Shapur I, the Sassanian king.

University of Al-Karaouine // Morocco

Founded in 859 CE in the city of Fes, the school is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest continuously operating, degree-granting university. (Ahvaz Jundishapur University has not been operating continuously.)

Al-Azhar University // Egypt

An illustration of the Mosque of Al-Azhar, built between 969 and 972 and connected to the Al-Azhar University
The Mosque of Al-Azhar, built between 969 and 972 and connected to the Al-Azhar University, regarded as one of the most prestigious seats of learning in the Muslim world. / Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images)

This institution in Cairo opened its doors in 975 CE.

University of Bologna // Italy

The oldest university in Europe was founded in 1088.

University of Paris // France

Illustration from a medieval manuscript of Amalric of Bena teaching, circa 1200, at the University of Paris.
Amalric of Bena teaching, circa 1200, at the University of Paris. / Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images

The exact year of the university’s founding is uncertain, but it was sometime around 1150. Teaching was suspended in 1229 and the university split into 13 different universities in 1970.

University of Oxford // England

The actual university’s founding year is unknown, but records show that teaching has taken place since 1096. Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia // Italy

The campus of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia today.
The campus of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia today. / Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

This institution in Modena was founded in 1175, but has gone in and out of operation. In 1338, the medieval university structure was replaced by three public lectureships that did not award degrees. The university was reestablished in the early 1680s.

University of Cambridge // England

Cambridge is, as you might suspect, the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world. It was founded in 1209.

University of Salamanca // Spain

When Christopher Columbus was trying to gain royal support for finding a western route to the Indies, he presented his case to geographers at this very university. Founded in 1218, the University of Salamanca was actually the second one established in Spain. The first, Palencia, no longer exists.

University of Montpellier // France

The University of Montpellier has been around since 1220, but was suppressed in 1793 due to the French Revolution. It opened again in the early 19th century.

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A version of this story was published in 2008; it has been updated for 2024.

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