Top 10 Oldest Universities in Europe

Some universities in Europe have a long history. In some cases, the beginning of their operation is placed hundreds of years ago. Would you like to know, which are these universities with the historical background?

1. University of Bologna
   This University has a long history. It was founded in 1088 by an Italian jurist. It is the oldest University in the world as well as one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Italy and Europe. It has more than 86.000 students in its 11 schools. The University of Bologna was ranked 160^th in the world according to QS World University Rankings 2021 as well as 69^th with reference to academic reputation.
2. University of Oxford
   There is evidence that this university was established in 1096. Its growth started rapidly in 1167 when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. The University of Oxford is the second oldest university in the world in continuous operation. A total number of 28 prime ministers of the United Kingdom were educated at the University of Oxford as well as many heads of state and government around the world. Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and Boris Johnson are some of them.
3. University of Cambridge
   One of the four oldest universities in the world was granted the Royal Charter by King Henry III in 1231. The University of Cambridge was established in 1209. Cambridge has a research partnership with MIT in the United States. For the academic year, 2019/20 more than 19.000 undergraduate applicants expressed their interest but 3.528 students were accepted into the institution.
4. University of Salamanca
   It is a Spanish, higher education institute, located in the city of Salamanca, west of Madrid. The University of Salamanca was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the third oldest university in the world, still in operation. Nowadays, the University of Salamanca is the top–ranked university in Spain based on the number of students coming from other regions. It is also known for its Spanish courses for non-native speakers, which attract more than two thousand foreign students each year.
5. University of Padua
   It is an Italian university located in the city of Padua. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 by a group of students and teachers from Bologna. Padua is the fifth oldest university in the world, still in operation. The University of Padua was the place where astronomers Galileo and Copernicus observed the sky. For the academic year 2020/21, the university announced the availability of 100 scholarships for refugee students or students who have received international protection.
6. University of Coimbra
   This university was established in 1290 and it is the oldest in Portugal. It was first located in Lisbon and then transferred to Coimbra in 1308. However, the university was finally settled in the city of River Mondego in 1537. On 22th of June 2013 Unesco added the university to its World Heritage List. The university develops activities such as theatre, cinema, radio, television broadcast, etc, as well as rowing and many other sports. Every student is entitled to attend these sections.
7. University of Vienna
   The University of Vienna was established in 1365 by Duke Rudolph IV. It holds the record of being the largest educational institution in Austria, with more than 90.000 students. It is known for its Humanities programs. Some famous scholars who have taught at the University of Vienna are Karl Popper, Theodor W. Adorno, Alexander Van der Bellen, Manfred Bietak, Theodor Billroth, Ludwig Boltzmann, Ulrich Brand, and Franz Brentano. The University of Vienna has the highest ranking in Arts and Humanities.
8. Heidelberg University
   It was founded in 1386 by Elector Palatine Rupert I in the small town of Heidelberg, Germany. The first lessons were in the fields of theology, jurisprudence, and philosophy. Medicine was added two years later. The university’s first rector was Marsilius von Inghen of the Netherlands. It is worth mentioning that the first professors came from Paris and Prague. Nowadays, the university has two more campuses in addition to the one in Heidelberg. The programs are taught in German, English or French.
9. Uppsala University
   It was established in 1477 in Uppsala, Sweden. It is the oldest university in Sweden and in the Nordic countries. At the beginning of its operation, the university had only 50 students. Nowadays, the university has more than 40.000 students and nearly 5.000 teachers and researchers.
10. University of Copenhagen
    The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 by King Christian 1 of Denmark. It is considered the oldest university and research institution in the country and the 2nd oldest university in the Nordic countries. It has 5.000 researchers and 39.000 students.

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