Oldest Universities Still Operating Today 2026

/ Culture & Society, Global Stats, Infrastructure / By

Universities are among the world’s oldest surviving institutions, preserving knowledge, culture, and innovation across centuries. The oldest universities still operating today reveal how education evolved from medieval religious schools into modern global learning centers. These historic institutions shaped science, law, medicine, philosophy, and public administration long before the modern nation-state existed. From North Africa and the Middle East to Europe, many universities founded over 800 years ago continue to teach students today. Understanding where these universities began and how long they have survived offers valuable insight into global education history, cultural continuity, and academic resilience.

# University Founded (year) Country
1 University of al-Qarawiyyin 859 Morocco
2 Al-Azhar University 970 Egypt
3 University of Bologna 1,088 Italy
4 University of Oxford 1,096 United Kingdom
5 University of Cambridge 1,209 United Kingdom
6 University of Salamanca 1,218 Spain
7 University of Padua 1,222 Italy
8 University of Naples Federico II 1,224 Italy
9 University of Toulouse 1,229 France
10 University of Siena 1,240 Italy
11 University of Coimbra 1,290 Portugal
12 University of Macerata 1,290 Italy
13 Sapienza University of Rome 1,303 Italy
14 University of Perugia 1,308 Italy
15 University of Florence 1,321 Italy
16 University of Pisa 1,343 Italy
17 Charles University 1,348 Czech Republic
18 University of Vienna 1,365 Austria
19 Heidelberg University 1,386 Germany
20 University of Cologne 1,388 Germany
21 University of Leipzig 1,409 Germany
22 University of St Andrews 1,413 United Kingdom
23 University of Rostock 1,419 Germany
24 University of Louvain 1,425 Belgium
25 University of Bordeaux 1,441 France
26 University of Glasgow 1,451 United Kingdom
27 University of Greifswald 1,456 Germany
28 University of Basel 1,460 Switzerland
29 University of Copenhagen 1,479 Denmark
30 Uppsala University 1,477 Sweden

Many of the world’s earliest universities were created to preserve religious teachings, train scholars, and standardize knowledge. Over time, they expanded into broader disciplines such as mathematics, engineering, medicine, and social sciences. Universities are typically ranked by founding year, using the earliest documented establishment date and continuous operation status. While some institutions experienced closures or reorganizations, only those with uninterrupted academic activity are counted as still operating. Geography plays a major role, with Europe and the Islamic world hosting many of the oldest surviving campuses due to early literacy traditions, stable urban centers, and long-standing scholarly networks.

Top 10 Oldest Universities Still Operating Today in the World 2026

  1. University of al-Qarawiyyin: 859
  2. Al-Azhar University: 970
  3. University of Bologna: 1088
  4. University of Oxford: 1096
  5. University of Cambridge: 1209
  6. University of Salamanca: 1218
  7. University of Padua: 1222
  8. University of Naples Federico II: 1224
  9. University of Toulouse: 1229
  10. University of Siena: 1240

The top ten list highlights the deep roots of higher education across multiple civilizations. The University of al-Qarawiyyin and Al-Azhar University demonstrate the early academic leadership of North Africa and the Middle East, while Italy and the United Kingdom dominate the European segment with multiple medieval universities. Bologna stands out as the oldest university in Europe, influencing legal education worldwide. Oxford and Cambridge continue to rank among the world’s most prestigious institutions, showing how early foundations can evolve into modern global leaders. The close clustering of founding years during the 12th and 13th centuries reflects a period of rapid academic expansion across Europe.

Key Points

  • Italy hosts the highest number of universities in the ranking, reflecting its strong medieval academic tradition.
  • The oldest surviving university dates back more than 1,100 years, demonstrating exceptional institutional continuity.
  • European universities dominate the top 30 list, particularly in Western and Central Europe.
  • Several universities founded within decades of each other remain active today, showing sustained educational momentum during the Middle Ages.
  • Northern European universities began appearing slightly later than Southern European institutions.
  • Many of these universities initially focused on theology and law before expanding into science and engineering.
  • Countries with early urban development and trade networks tend to host older academic institutions.
  • Continuous operation over centuries requires strong governance, adaptability, and cultural support.

The oldest universities still operating today offer a remarkable window into human civilization’s commitment to learning. These institutions survived wars, political change, technological revolutions, and shifting educational models while continuing to educate new generations. Their longevity reflects not only academic excellence but also cultural stability and societal investment in knowledge. As higher education evolves through digital learning and international collaboration, these historic universities continue to adapt without losing their heritage. Preserving their legacy while embracing innovation ensures that centuries-old academic traditions remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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