Oldest University in the World

To devise a list of the oldest universities all over the world, we need to understand what it is. There have been learning centers for students for many centuries, ever since knowledge started spreading, but not all olden learning centers can be classified as Universities. In order to be classified as one, an educational institution should be the oldest institution in its region. Moreover, it should be enjoying a more or less uninterrupted functionality since the time it was created.

There are many ancient learning and educational institutions which do not qualify as Universities today, so therefore they are not a part of this list. Also, if an educational institution was started as one many centuries ago, it is more likely to be classified as it is today.

Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World

All the Universities mentioned here are hundreds of years old, and are well-known and prestigious learning centers. Students from all over the world regularly come to them to pursue their higher education. Here is a list for you.

University of Al-Karaouine
Also known as the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, this was founded in 859 AD by a woman called Fatima Al-Fihri. Located in Fes, Morocco this is the oldest Madrassa in the world, and is revered by the Muslim world in particular. The Guinness Book of World Records has recorded this as the oldest continuously-operating degree-granting university.

Al-Azhar University
Located in Cairo, Egypt this is the second oldest degree-granting university. It is also considered as one of the premier educational institutions in the Islamic world, and was founded around 972 AD. It teaches a unique blend of modern science and Quranic sciences and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Nizamiyya
This is not independently standing, it is simply a series of universities started by Khwaja Nizam Al-Mulk, in Iran in the 11th century AD. These eclipsed all other educational centers. The crown jewel in these series is the Al-Nizammiya of Baghdad, founded in 1065 AD in Dhu'l Qa'da. Other places of operation are Amul, Mosul, Basra, Herat, Damascus and Nishapur. Due to its heritage and history, it cannot be ignored.

University of Bologna
Being the first one established in the Christian world, this has a rich heritage since it was founded in 1088 AD. The term 'University' was coined due to this prestigious institution, and it was the leading center for higher education, right until the early 20th century. Located in Bologna, Italy, even today it is a much revered and immensely popular center for pursuing higher studies.

University of Paris
This was founded around 1096 AD, and was one of the premier higher education centers in the world, for the fields of arts, medicine, theology and law. Sadly, it shut down in 1970, and today it operates as 13 different Universities, by the name of University of Paris I-XIII. Located around the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, this one is also known as the Sorbonne, or the College de Sorbonne.

University of Oxford
Founded in the early 11th century, this institution is located in the city of Oxford, England. It is regarded as one of the best places to get higher education today, and it contains about 38 different colleges today, specializing in various fields of study. It had to be created due to the fact that King Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. Its worldwide reputation and heritage make it a worthy candidate for this list.

University of Montpelier
Though the official founding date is 1150 AD, the teachings in this institution began way before that. Located in Montpelier, France, it focuses mainly on the teachings of science and technology today. Medicine and law are also very sought after courses here, and it was in fact founded by a teacher from the University of Bologna. It was 're-founded' in the year 1969.

University of Cambridge
This was formed by some scholars in 1209 AD who left the University of Oxford over a dispute. Consisting of over 31 colleges, this has a long standing rivalry with the University of Oxford, and is in fact the second oldest in the English speaking world. Located in the city of Cambridge, England, it is ranked in the top 5 Universities of the world today, and its alumni consists of no less than 87 different Nobel Laureates.

University of Salamanca
This is the oldest in Spain, and is located in the town of Salamanca, a town west of Madrid. It was established in 1218 AD, and today is the premier institution in the world for studying humanities and languages. Christopher Columbus, famously consulted with its scholars when he was seeking a route to the Indies. The divide between the people of Leon and Castile in Spain led to its rise, as the Leonese king Alfonso IX created it, so that the people of Leon did not have to go to Castile to pursue higher education.

University of Padua
A group of scholars broke away from the University of Bologna in search of more academic freedom, and established this one in 1222 AD. The fields of botany, history and theater are the most well-known and pursued courses here, and this has established its greatness in the educated world. It is therefore, the second oldest university in Italy, and is located in the city of Padua, Italy.

So these were some prestigious universities, and all of these are engulfed in a lot of history and tradition.