list of oldest universities in continuous operation
founded before 1500
Table:
Year

Name

Contemporaneous location

Current location

Notes

1088

University of Bologna

Bologna, Italy

The first university in the sense of a higher-learning, degree-awarding institute, the word university having been coined at its foundation.[11]

1167 (1254)

University of Oxford

Kingdom of England

Oxford, United Kingdom

"Claimed to be the oldest university in the English speaking world, there is no clear date of foundation of Oxford University, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris."[12] Teaching suspended in 1209 (due to town execution of two scholars) and 1355 (due to the St. Scholastica Day riot), but was continuous during the English Civil War (1642–1651) - the University was Royalist. All Souls College and University College have repeatedly claimed that they own documents proving that teaching in Oxford started in the year 825, but these documents have never seen the public light (allegedly, John Speed dated his famous 1605 Oxford maps based on these documents). However, it was not until 1254 that Pope Innocent IV granted to Oxford the University charter by papal bull ("Querentes in agro").

1209 (1231)

University of Cambridge

Kingdom of England

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Founded by scholars leaving Oxford after a dispute caused by the execution of two scholars in 1209, and royal charter was granted in 1231.[13] The university takes 1209 as its official anniversary.[14] Through one of Cambridge alumni, John Harvard, it inspired the establishment of Cambridge in Massachusetts, United States with the first college in America, Harvard University.

1218 (1134)

University of Salamanca

Kingdom of León

Salamanca, Spain

It is the oldest university in operation in Spain. Although there are records of the University granting degrees many years before (James Trager's People's Chronology sets its foundation date in 1134), it only received the Royal chart of foundation as "Estudio General" in 1218, making it possibly the fourth or even the third oldest European university in continuous operation. However, it was the first European university to receive the title of "University" as such, granted by king of Castile and León Alfonso X and the Pope in 1254. Having been excluded from the University in 1852 by the Spanish government, the Faculties of Theology and Canon Law became the Pontifical University of Salamanca in 1940.

1222 (probably older)

University of Padua

Padua, Italy

Founded by scholars and professors after leaving Bologna.

1224

University of Naples Federico II

Kingdom of Sicily

Naples, Italy

The first public university,[15] founded by Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

1240

University of Siena

Republic of Siena

Siena, Italy

Originally called Studium Senese, was founded by Commune of Siena in 1240. In 1321, the studium was able to attract a larger number or pupils due to a mass exodus from the prestigious neighbouring University of Bologna. Closed temporarily in 1808–1815 when Napoleonic forces occupied Tuscany. On November 7, 1990 the university celebrated its 750th anniversary.

1241

University of Valladolid

Kingdom of Castile, Crown of Castile

Valladolid, Spain

One hypothesis is that its foundation is the result of the transfer of Palencia General Survey between 1208 and 1241 by Alfonso VIII, king of Castile, and Bishop Tello Téllez de Meneses.

1272

University of Murcia

Kingdom of Castile, Crown of Castile

Murcia, Spain

The University of Murcia was founded in 1272 by the King Alfonso X of Castile.[16]

1290

University of Macerata[17]

Papal States

Macerata, Italy

The University of Macerata (Italian: Università degli Studi di Macerata) is a university located in Macerata, Marche, Italy. It was founded in 1290 and is organized into 7 faculties.

1290

University of Coimbra[17]

Kingdom of Portugal
Lisbon

Coimbra, Portugal

Begun its existence in Lisbon with the name Studium Generale (Estudo Geral). Scientiae thesaurus mirabilis, the royal charter announcing the institution of the University, was dated 1 March of that year, although efforts had been made at least since 1288 to create this first university in Portugal. The papal confirmation was also given in 1290 (on 9 August of that year), during the papacy of Pope Nicholas IV.

1293

University of Alcalá

Crown of Castile

Alcalá de Henares, Spain

The University of Alcalá was founded by King Sancho IV of Castile as Studium Generale in 1293 in Alcalá de Henares. It was granted Papal Bull in 1499, and quickly gained international fame thanks to the patronage of Cardinal Cisneros and the production of the Complutensian Polyglot Bible in 1517, which is the basis for most of the current translations. The University moved to Madrid in 1836 by Royal Decree. The Moyano Law of 1857 established Complutense as the sole university in Spain authorized to confer the title of Doctor on any scholar. This law remained in effect until 1969.

1303

La Sapienza University of Rome

Papal States

Rome, Italy

Founded by Pope Boniface VIII, but became a state university in 1935. According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia, the university "remained closed during the entire pontificate of Clement VII".

1308

University of Perugia

Perugia, Italy

Attested by the Bull of Pope Clement V.

1321

University of Florence

Republic of Florence

Florence, Italy

The University of Florence evolved from the Studium Generale, which was established by the Florentine Republic in 1321. The Studium was recognized by Pope Clement VI in 1349.

1336

University of Camerino

Papal States

Camerino, Italy

The great literate and jurist Cino from Pistoia, living in Marche in the years 1319-21, and in Camerino in the spring of 1321, remembers the territory blooming with juridical schools. Camerino has been a center of learning since no later than 1200, offering degrees in civil law, canonical law, medicine, and literary studies. Gregory XI took the decision upon the request of Gentile III da Varano with the papal edict of 29 January 1377, directed to the commune and to the people, authorizing Camerino to confer (after appropriate examination) bachelor and doctoral degrees with apostolic authority.

1343

University of Pisa

Republic of Pisa

Pisa, Italy

It was formally founded on September 3, 1343 by an edict of Pope Clement VI, although there had been lectures on law in Pisa since the 11th century. Nowadays is one of the most important universities in Italy.

1348

Charles University of Prague

Kingdom of Bohemia

Prague, Czech Republic

Three of four faculties closed in 1419, joined with Jesuit university and renamed Charles-Ferdinand University in 1652, split into German and Czech part in 1882, Czech branch closed during Nazi occupation (1939–1945), German branch closed in 1945.[18]

1361

University of Pavia

House of Visconti

Pavia, Italy

Closed for short periods during the Italian Wars, Napoleonic wars, and Revolutions of 1848.

1364

Jagiellonian University

Kingdom of Poland

Kraków, Poland

Founded by Casimir the Great. Development stalled after his death, re-established from 1400 onwards.

Closed during the German occupation of Poland 1939-1945. Re-opened after the occupation.

1365

University of Vienna

Holy Roman Empire

Vienna, Austria

Modelled on the University of Paris.

1386

Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg

Holy Roman Empire

Heidelberg, Germany

Founded by Rupert I, Elector Palatine. The oldest in Germany.

1391

University of Ferrara

House of Este

Ferrara, Italy

Founded by Marquis Alberto d'Este.

1404

University of Turin

Duchy of Savoy

Turin, Italy

Founded by the prince "Louis of Piedmont" during the reign of Amadeus VIII.

1409

University of Leipzig

Holy Roman Empire

Leipzig, Germany

Founded when German-speaking staff left Prague due to the Jan Hus crisis.

1413

University of St. Andrews

Kingdom of Scotland

St. Andrews, United Kingdom

A school of higher studies was founded in 1410 and became a full university by the issue of a Papal bull in 1413.[19]

1419

University of Rostock

Holy Roman Empire

Rostock, Germany

During the Reformation, "the Catholic university of Rostock closed altogether and the closure was long enough to make the refounded body feel a new institution".[20]

1434

University of Catania

Kingdom of Sicily

Catania, Italy

The oldest in Sicily. Founded by Alfonso V of Aragon.

1450[21]

University of Barcelona

Crown of Aragon

Barcelona, Spain

Founded by Alfonso V of Aragon as Estudi general de Barcelona after the unification of all university education. For forty-nine years prior to that foundation, however, the city had had a fledgling medical school founded by King Martin of Aragon, and in the 13th century Barcelona already possessed several civil and ecclesiastical schools.

1451

University of Glasgow

Kingdom of Scotland

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Founded by a Papal bull.

1456

University of Greifswald

Holy Roman Empire

Greifswald, Germany

Teaching had started by 1436. Founded by initiative of Heinrich Rubenow, Lord Mayor of Greifswald (and first rector), with approval of Pope Callixtus III and Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, under the protection of Wartislaw IX, Duke of Pomerania. Teaching paused temporarily during the Protestant Reformation (1527–39).

1457

Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg

Holy Roman Empire

Freiburg, Germany

Temporarily transferred to Constance in 1686–98 and 1713–15.

1460

University of Basel

Holy Roman Empire

Basel, Switzerland

Founded in 1460 (Schola Basiliensis), the University of Basel is the oldest university in Switzerland.[22]

1472

Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich

Holy Roman Empire

Munich, Germany

Founded in Ingolstadt in 1459, transferred to Landshut in 1800, moved to Munich in 1826.

1477

Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen

Holy Roman Empire

Tübingen, Germany

1477

Uppsala University

Kingdom of Sweden within the
Kalmar Union

Uppsala, Sweden

Uppsala's bull, which granted the university its corporate rights, was issued by Pope Sixtus IV in 1477, and established a number of provisions. Among the most important of these was that the university was officially given the same freedoms and privileges as the University of Bologna.

1479

University of Copenhagen

Kingdom of Denmark within the
Kalmar Union

Copenhagen, Denmark

1481

University of Genoa

Republic of Genoa

Genoa, Italy

Founded in 1481 (Genuense Athenaeum).

1495

University of Aberdeen

Kingdom of Scotland

Aberdeen, United Kingdom

King's College was founded by a Papal bull in 1495 and then Marischal College in 1593; they merged in 1860.

1495

University of Santiago de Compostela

Kingdom of Galicia

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

The university traces its roots to 1495, when a school was opened in Santiago.[23] In 1504, Pope Julius II approved the foundation of a university in Santiago, and the bull for its creation was granted by Clement VII in 1526.

1499

University of Valencia

Crown of Aragon

Valencia, Spain

In the table of the article 'list of oldest universities in continuous operation' in the 'founded before 1500' section, select the appropriate types for the highlighted column from the following candidates: baseball.baseball_position, geography.mountain, sports.cyclist, music.music_video_director, biology.organism_classification, cvg.cvg_genre, education.field_of_study, sports.sports_league_season, automotive.company, government.government_office_or_title, aviation.aircraft_model, medicine.medical_treatment, cricket.cricket_player, soccer.football_league_season, sports.sports_championship_event, music.performance_role, people.ethnicity, amusement_parks.ride, music.genre, aviation.airline, education.educational_institution, film.producer, government.political_party, medicine.drug_ingredient, location.uk_statistical_location, government.u_s_congressperson, royalty.monarch, government.legislative_session, boats.ship_type, basketball.basketball_team, government.politician, cvg.computer_videogame, film.actor, soccer.football_position, tv.tv_producer, royalty.noble_person, music.record_label, ice_hockey.hockey_position, award.competition, music.composition, business.product_category, medicine.drug, soccer.football_world_cup, award.award_ceremony, basketball.basketball_conference, location.capital_of_administrative_division, tv.tv_actor, computer.computer, soccer.football_team, location.in_state, education.educational_degree, location.australian_local_government_area, cricket.cricket_team, broadcast.radio_station, baseball.baseball_team, celebrities.celebrity, education.athletics_brand, broadcast.radio_format, architecture.building, organization.organization, american_football.football_player, internet.website, ice_hockey.hockey_team, music.musical_group, exhibitions.exhibition_sponsor, location.us_county, location.region, spaceflight.astronaut, government.election, book.periodical, tv.tv_character, basketball.basketball_player, music.artist, aviation.aircraft_owner, location.uk_constituent_country, time.recurring_event, location.us_state, chess.chess_player, language.human_language, people.person, baseball.baseball_league, architecture.structure, religion.religious_leader, soccer.football_player, travel.accommodation, government.governmental_body, meteorology.tropical_cyclone, tv.tv_network, royalty.kingdom, religion.religion, sports.sports_facility, sports.sports_position, people.family_member, award.award_category, music.album, music.producer, american_football.football_team, computer.software, transportation.road, rail.locomotive_class, boats.ship, sports.tournament_event_competition, business.industry, sports.school_sports_team, tv.tv_program, music.group_member, business.consumer_product, sports.golfer, time.event, metropolitan_transit.transit_stop, olympics.olympic_games, astronomy.astronomical_discovery, tennis.tennis_tournament, sports.sports_award_winner, tv.tv_personality, film.director, sports.sports_team, law.legal_case, tv.tv_genre, medicine.anatomical_structure, location.australian_state, food.food, award.recurring_competition, music.instrument, tennis.tennis_player, award.award_presenting_organization, book.written_work, film.film, tv.tv_series_season, film.writer, award.award, music.media_format, broadcast.broadcast, business.defunct_company, business.job_title, film.film_character, cricket.cricket_stadium, film.music_contributor, broadcast.tv_channel, astronomy.constellation, book.newspaper, theater.theater_actor, sports.boxer, government.general_election, location.province, education.school, american_football.football_coach, baseball.baseball_player, film.film_distributor, business.customer, broadcast.tv_station, olympics.olympic_event_competition, broadcast.artist, soccer.football_league, book.magazine, internet.website_owner, fictional_universe.fictional_character, soccer.fifa, sports.pro_athlete, organization.membership_organization, location.in_district, military.military_unit, location.country, computer.operating_system, meteorology.tropical_cyclone_season, award.award_discipline, broadcast.genre, biology.animal, aviation.airport, military.military_person, metropolitan_transit.transit_line, martial_arts.martial_artist, film.film_genre, cvg.cvg_platform, ice_hockey.hockey_player, astronomy.star_system_body, location.hud_county_place, sports.sports_award_type, tennis.tennis_tournament_champion, law.invention, book.author, automotive.model, chemistry.chemical_element, interests.collection_category, computer.software_license, sports.sports_league, military.military_post, protected_sites.listed_site, business.consumer_company, geography.body_of_water, boats.ship_class, astronomy.celestial_object, award.hall_of_fame_inductee, location.citytown, medicine.muscle, government.election_campaign, music.musical_scale, music.writer, visual_art.visual_artist, location.administrative_division, sports.sport, basketball.basketball_position, theater.play, amusement_parks.park, cvg.cvg_publisher, architecture.venue, music.lyricist, business.business_operation, military.military_conflict, medicine.disease, soccer.football_team_manager, education.fraternity_sorority, soccer.football_award, organization.non_profit_organization, geography.island, sports.multi_event_tournament, book.book, law.court, chemistry.chemical_compound, film.production_company, military.rank, book.periodical_publisher, tv.tv_writer, film.film_festival_focus, metropolitan_transit.transit_system, business.brand, cricket.cricket_bowler, biology.organism, tv.tv_program_creator, astronomy.asteroid, sports.sports_championship, book.periodical_subject, location.jp_prefecture, sports.professional_sports_team, basketball.basketball_coach, american_football.football_conference, geography.river, education.university, architecture.architectural_structure_owner, finance.currency, tv.tv_series_episode, government.government_agency, military.armed_force, royalty.chivalric_order_member, music.composer, location.location, astronomy.orbital_relationship, tv.tv_director, royalty.noble_title, fictional_universe.fictional_organization, cvg.cvg_developer, media_common.media_genre, sports.sports_league_draft, comic_books.comic_book_character, government.us_president. Provide only the chosen type(s), separated by commas if multiple, within the list in this JSON: {"answer": ["ANSWER"]}.

{"answer": ["location.citytown", "location.location"]}