List of early modern universities in Europe
The list of early modern universities in Europe comprises all universities that existed in the early modern age (1501–1800) in Europe. It also includes short-lived foundations and educational institutions whose university status is a matter of debate. The operation of the degree-awarding university with its corporate organization and relative autonomy, which had emerged in the Christian medieval world, was continued into the new era. The number of universities which had been in existence at one time during the period rose from around eighty medieval universities to nearly two hundred. While the  universitas arrived in Eastern Europe as far as Moscow, many were established further west either by the new Protestant powers or the Catholic Counter-Reformation spearheaded by the Jesuits. At the same time, the Spanish founded colonial universities and the British colonial colleges in the New World, thus heralding the spread of the university as "the" center of higher learning around the globe (see List of oldest universities). Definition. A short definition of the university and its defining characteristics as they evolved in the medieval and early modern era is offered by the multi-volume "History of the University in  Europe" of the European University Association: List of universities existing in the early modern age, but created before. The list is sorted by the date of recognition. Note that the date of recognition is not necessarily the date of creation : for example, a community of teachers and students existed "per se" in Paris during the 11th century. At places where more than one university was established, the name of the institution is given in brackets.