List of oldest universities in continuous operation
Europe
While Europe had 143 universities in 1789, the Napoleonic wars took a heavy toll, reducing the number to 83 by 1815.

List of oldest universities in continuous operation

Section Title: Europe
Table Section Text: While Europe had 143 universities in 1789, the Napoleonic wars took a heavy toll, reducing the number to 83 by 1815.

Location	Current name	Year	Notes

Current	Original

Albania (Tirana)	Albania (Tirana)	University of Tirana	1957	originally established in 1957 as the State University of Tirana through merging of five existing institutes of higher education, the most important of which was the Institute of Sciences, founded in 1947

Albania (Shkodër)	Albania (Shkodër)	University of Shkodër "Luigj Gurakuqi"	1957

Armenia (Yerevan)	Armenia First Republic of Armenia (Alexandropol)	Yerevan State University	1919

Austria (Graz)	Holy Roman Empire (Graz)	University of Graz	1622	founded in 1585 by Archduke Charles II of Austria

Austria (Salzburg)	Holy Roman Empire (Salzburg)	University of Salzburg	1585	also known as Paris Lodron University after its founder, Prince-Archbishop Paris von Lodron

Austria (Innsbruck)	Holy Roman Empire (Innsbruck)	University of Innsbruck	1669

Azerbaijan (Baku)	Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (Baku)	Baku State University	1919	In 1930, the government ordered the University shut down in accordance with a reorganization of higher education, and the University was replaced with the Supreme Pedagogical Institute.

Belgium (Ghent)	Netherlands United Kingdom of the Netherlands (Ghent)	Ghent University	1817	established in 1817 by William I of the Netherlands

Belgium (Liège)	Netherlands United Kingdom of the Netherlands (Liège)	University of Liège	1817	was founded in 1817 by William I of the Netherlands

Belgium (Namur)	Belgium (Namur)	University of Namur	1831	Founded in 1831 as the Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix, its name was changed to Université de Namur by a decree in 2009.

Belgium (Leuven)	Belgium (Mechelen)	KU Leuven and Université catholique de Louvain	1834	Founded as the Catholic University of Mechelen on 8 November 1834 by the bishops of Belgium. Moved to Leuven on 1 December 1835, where it took the name Catholic University of Louvain.

Belgium (Brussels)	Belgium (Brussels)	Université libre de Bruxelles and Vrije Universiteit Brussel	1834	Founded in 1834 as the Université libre de Belgique (Free University of Belgium). In 1836, it changed its name to Université libre de Bruxelles.

Belgium (Brussels)	Belgium (Brussels)	Saint-Louis University, Brussels	1858	Founded in 1858 as the Institut Saint-Louis in Brussels. It was later named Faculté Saint-Louis which became its official title in 1948 : Faculté universitaire Saint-Louis, then Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis in 1969 and finally became Université Saint-Louis – Bruxelles by a decree in 2009.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo)	Yugoslavia (Sarajevo)	University of Sarajevo	1949

Bulgaria (Sofia)	Bulgaria Principality of Bulgaria (Sofia)	Sofia University	1888

Bulgaria (Sofia)	Bulgaria Kingdom of Bulgaria (Sofia)	University of National and World Economy	1920	was founded in 1920 as the Free University of Political and Economic Sciences (FUPES)

Bulgaria (Varna)	Bulgaria Kingdom of Bulgaria (Varna)	University of Economics Varna	1920	was originally known as the Higher School of Commerce

Croatia (Zagreb)	Kingdom of Croatia (Habsburg) (Zagreb)	University of Zagreb	1669	History of the University began on 23 September 1669, when the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I issued a decree granting the establishment of the Jesuit Academy of the Royal Free City of Zagreb.

Czech Republic (Olomouc)	Bohemia Kingdom of Bohemia (Olomouc)	Palacký University	1573	originally known as Olomouc Jesuit University

Czech Republic (Prague)	Bohemia Kingdom of Bohemia (Prague)	Czech Technical University in Prague	1707	established as the Institute of Engineering Education in 1707 it is the oldest non-military technical university in Europe

Denmark (Copenhagen)	Denmark (Copenhagen)	Technical University of Denmark	1829	was founded in 1829 as the 'College of Advanced Technology'

Estonia (Tartu)	Sweden Kingdom of Sweden (Dorpat)	University of Tartu	1632 (continuous operation since 1802)	founded as The Academia Gustaviana in the then Swedish province of Livonia. It was closed from 1710 to 1802.

Finland (Helsinki)	Sweden Kingdom of Sweden (Åbo)	University of Helsinki	1640	founded as the Royal Academy of Turku (Swedish: Kungliga Akademin i Åbo. It was shut down by the Great Fire of Turku in 1827.

France (Paris)	Kingdom of France (Paris)	Sorbonne University (group)	1160–1250 (continuous operation since 1896)	Emerged around 1150 as a corporation associated with the cathedral school of Notre Dame de Paris, it was considered the second-oldest university in Europe.

France (Occitanie)	-	Université fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées	1229 (continuous operation since 1896)	Founded by papal bull in 1229 as the University of Toulouse. It closed in 1793 due to the French Revolution, and reopened in 1896.

France (Montpellier)	-	University of Montpellier Paul Valéry University Montpellier 3	1289 (continuous operation since 1896)	The world's oldest medicine faculty was established before 1137 and operated continuously through the French Revolution. University by Papal Bull in 1289.

France (Aix-en-Provence, Marseille)	-	Aix-Marseille University	1409 (continuous operation since 1896)	Founded in 1409 as the University of Provence, and in 1792, dissolved, along with twenty-one other universities. In 1896 it was reformed as the University of Aix-Marseille, one of 17 self-governing regional universities financed by the state.

France (Lille)	-	University of Lille	1559	Founded by Philip II of Spain in 1559 as the University of Douai. It closed in 1795 due to the French Revolution, and reopened in 1808.

Germany (Wittenberg Halle)	Holy Roman Empire (Wittenberg)	Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg	1502	created in 1502 as the University of Wittenberg. Merged with University of Halle (founded 1691) in 1817.

Germany (Marburg)	Holy Roman Empire (Marburg)	Philipps University of Marburg	1527

Germany (Jena)	Holy Roman Empire (Jena)	University of Jena	1558	founded as Ducal Pan-Saxon University (German: Herzoglich Sächsische Gesamtuniversität)

Georgia (Tbilisi)	Democratic Republic of Georgia (Tbilisi)	Tbilisi State University	1918	founded in 1918 as Tbilisi State University

Gibraltar	Gibraltar	University of Gibraltar	2015

Greece (Corfu)	-	Ionian University	1824 (university 1984)	created as the Ionian Academy in 1824 on Corfu. Established as the Ionian University (Greek: Iόνιο Πανεπιστήμιο) in 1984 by the Greek government.

Greece (Athens)	Kingdom of Greece (Athens)	National Technical University of Athens	1837 (awarded degrees from 1887)	founded in 1836 as a part-time vocational school called Royal School of Arts

Hungary (Budapest)	Kingdom of Hungary (Nagyszombat)	Eötvös Loránd University	1635	Founded in 1635 by the archbishop and theologian Péter Pázmány as the University of Nagyszombat. Renamed Royal Hungarian University of Science in 1769.

Hungary (Budapest)	Kingdom of Hungary (Nagyszombat)	Semmelweis University	1769 (independent 1951)	the oldest medical school in Hungary. Founded as a medical school within the University of Nagyszombat.

Hungary (Budapest)	Kingdom of Hungary (Nagyszombat)	Budapest University of Technology and Economics	1782 (independent 1872)	established as the Institutum Geometricum as part of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at the University of Buda in 1782. The Institutum Geometricum merged with the Joseph College of Technology in 1850 and became the Royal Joseph Polytechnic in 1856.

Iceland (Reykjavík)	Denmark (Reykjavík)	University of Iceland	1911

Ireland (Dublin)	Kingdom of Ireland (Dublin)	University of Dublin	1592	Effectively synonymous with Trinity College, Dublin

Italy (Urbino)	Holy Roman Empire (Urbino)	University of Urbino	1506

Italy (Messina)	Kingdom of Sicily (Messina)	University of Messina	1548	The predecessor institution of the University was the Jesuit College of Messina "Primum ac Prototypum Collegium" First Prototype College

Italy (L'Aquila)	Kingdom of Naples (L'Aquila)	University of L'Aquila	1596

Kosovo (Prishtina)	Yugoslavia (Prishtina)	Universiteti i Prishtinës	1969

Latvia (Riga)	Russian Empire (Riga)	Riga Technical University	1862	first established as Riga Polytechnicum in 1862

Liechtenstein (Vaduz)	Liechtenstein (Vaduz)	University of Liechtenstein	1961	successor to the Abendtechnikum Vaduz in 1992

Lithuania (Vilnius)	Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (Vilnius)	Vilnius University	1579 (continuous operation since 1919)	founded as the Jesuit Academy (College) of Vilnius; the university was closed from 1832 to 1919 and again in 1943–44

Luxembourg (Esch-sur-Alzette)	Luxembourg (Esch-sur-Alzette)	University of Luxembourg	2003

Malta (Msida)	Malta (Msida)	University of Malta	1769	first established as the Collegium Melitense by the Jesuits 1592

Netherlands (Leiden)	Dutch Republic (Leiden)	Leiden University	1575

Netherlands (Groningen)	Dutch Republic (Groningen)	University of Groningen	1614

Netherlands (Amsterdam)	Dutch Republic (Amsterdam)	University of Amsterdam	1632	founded as the Athenaeum Illustre of Amsterdam

Netherlands (Utrecht)	Dutch Republic (Utrecht)	Utrecht University	1636	formerly Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht

North Macedonia (Skopje)	Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Skopje)	Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje	1946

North Macedonia (Bitola)	Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Bitola)	St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola	1979

Norway (Oslo)	Denmark–Norway (Christiania)	University of Oslo	1811	founded as The Royal Frederik's University

Poland (Wrocław)	Holy Roman Empire	University of Wrocław	1701	re-founded 1811

Poland (Warsaw)	Kingdom of Poland (Congress Poland, part of Russian Empire)	University of Warsaw	1816	founded as a Royal University on 19 November 1816, when the Partitions of Poland separated Warsaw from the older University of Kraków (founded in 1364).

Portugal (Porto)	Kingdom of Portugal (Porto)	University of Porto	1836 (university 1911)	first established as Polytechnic University of Porto and Medical-Surgical School of Porto since 1836

Portugal (Lisbon)	Portuguese Republic (Lisbon)	University of Lisbon	1911

Portugal (Évora)	Portuguese Republic (Évora)	University of Évora	1973	unrelated to the earlier Colégio do Espírito Santo (1559-1759)

Romania (Iași)	-	Alexandru Ioan Cuza University	1860	successor to the Princely Academy from Iaşi, 1642, and Academia Mihăileană, 1835

Romania (Bucharest)	-	University of Bucharest	1864	successor to the Saint Sava College, 1694

Romania (Cluj-Napoca)	Kingdom of Romania (Cluj)	Babeș-Bolyai University	1918	teaching existed in Cluj-Napoca since the Jesuits College, 1581, and the Jesuits Academy, 1688

Russia (Kaliningrad)	Duchy of Prussia	Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University	1544 or 1967	claims continuity from University of Königsberg, 1544. After the World War II, Königsberg was renamed Kaliningrad and the new Russophone Kaliningrad State Pedagogical Institute used the campus of the Albertina from 1948 to 1967.

Russia (Saint Petersburg)	Russian Empire (Saint Petersburg)	Saint Petersburg State University	1724 or 1819	claims to be the successor of the university established along with the Academic Gymnasium and the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences on 24 January 1724 by a decree of Peter the Great.

Russia (Moscow)	Russian Empire (Moscow)	Moscow State University	1755	Founded in 1755 as Imperial Moscow University

Russia (Kazan)	Russian Empire (Kazan)	Kazan Federal University	1804	Founded in 1804 as Kazan Imperial University

Serbia (Belgrade)	Kingdom of Serbia (Belgrade)	University of Belgrade	1905	founded in 1808 as the Belgrade Higher School, by 1838 it merged with the Kragujevac-based departments into a single university, under current name from 1905; Orthodox Christian Lyceum in 1794; Teacher's college in 1778|

Slovakia (Bratislava)	Czechoslovakia (Bratislava)	Comenius University	1919

Slovenia (Ljubljana)	Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Ljubljana)	University of Ljubljana	1919

Spain (Seville)	Spain (Seville)	University of Seville	1505

Spain (Granada)	Spain (Granada)	University of Granada	1531

Spain (Zaragoza)	Spain (Zaragoza)	University of Zaragoza	1542

Spain (Oviedo)	Spain (Oviedo)	University of Oviedo	1608

Sweden (Lund)	Sweden (Lund)	Lund University	1666	a Franciscan Studium Generale was founded in Lund in 1425, as the first university in Northern Europe, but as a result of the Protestant Reformation the operations of the catholic university were suspended

Switzerland (Lausanne)	Old Swiss Confederacy (Lausanne)	University of Lausanne	1537

Switzerland (Geneva)	Old Swiss Confederacy (Geneva)	University of Geneva	1559	founded by John Calvin

Switzerland (Zurich)	Switzerland (Zurich)	University of Zurich	1833	origin 1525; est. 1833

Turkey (Istanbul)	Turkey (Istanbul)	Istanbul Technical University	1928	Founded in 1773 as Imperial School of Naval Engineering by Mustafa III, but became a state university in 1928.

Turkey (Istanbul)	Turkey (Istanbul)	Istanbul University	1933	The current state university was founded in 1933, but traces its origins back to the House of Multiple Sciences founded in 1846.

Ukraine (Kharkiv)	Russian Empire (Kharkov)	V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University	1804

Ukraine (Kiev)	Russian Empire (Kiev)	Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv	1834	Founded as the Kiev Imperial University of Saint Vladimir and changed names several times afters that

Ukraine (Lviv)	Austrian Empire (Lviv)	Lviv University	1850	operated from 1661–1773, 1784–1805, 1817–1848, 1850-

United Kingdom ( Scotland) (Edinburgh)	Kingdom of Scotland (Edinburgh)	University of Edinburgh	1582/3	Formally established as the Tounis College (Town's College) under the authority of a Royal Charter granted to the Town of Edinburgh by King James VI of Scotland on 14 April 1582.

United Kingdom ( England) (London)	United Kingdom ( England) (London)	University College London	1826 (as college; degree awarding powers 2005)	Claims to be the third oldest university in England and "the first university to be founded in London". Listed by Rüegg as a college of the University of London rather than as a university.

United Kingdom ( England) (London)	United Kingdom ( England) (London)	King's College London	1829 (as college; degree awarding powers 2006)	Claims to be the fourth oldest university in England. Listed by Rüegg as a college of the University of London rather than as a university.

United Kingdom ( England) (Durham)	United Kingdom ( England) (Durham)	Durham University	1832	Claims to be the third oldest university in England. Listed by Rüegg in A History of the University in Europe as meeting standard criteria for recognition as a university from 1832 Established under the authority of the University of Durham Act 1832.

United Kingdom ( England) (London)	United Kingdom ( England) (London)	University of London	1836	Claims to be the third oldest university in England. Listed by Rüegg as meeting standard criteria for recognition as a university from 1836 Established by Royal Charter as degree awarding examining body for King's College London and University College London (see below), the London medical schools, and other institutions.

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) (Belfast)	United Kingdom (Ireland) (Belfast)	Queen's University Belfast	1845 (as college; university 1908)	Oldest university in Northern Ireland. Listed by Rüegg as meeting standard criteria for recognition as a university from 1845.

United Kingdom ( Wales) (Cardiff)	United Kingdom ( Wales) (Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff)	University of Wales	1893	Founded by Royal Charter in 1893 as a federal university with three constituent colleges – Aberystwyth, Bangor and Cardiff – the university was the first and oldest university in Wales.

United Kingdom ( Wales) (Carmarthen, Lampeter, Swansea)	United Kingdom ( Wales) (Carmarthen, Lampeter)	University of Wales Trinity Saint David	1822 (as college; limited degree awarding powers 1852)	The university was founded as St David's College (Coleg Dewi Sant) in 1822 "to provide a liberal education to members of the clergy" and was incorporated by royal charter in 1828.

United Kingdom ( Wales) (Aberystwyth)	United Kingdom ( Wales) (Aberystwyth)	Aberystwyth University	1872 (as college; university 2007)	Founded in 1872 as University College Wales, Aberystwyth, it became a founder member of the University of Wales in 1894 and changed its name to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Sentence(s)

Saint Petersburg State University and Moscow State University are the oldest institution in Russia.

final_sentence: Saint Petersburg State University and Moscow State University are the oldest institution in Russia.