Top 10 Oldest Universities in the World

Located in Fes, Morocco, Al-Karaouine University is considered one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. It was founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri as a mosque and Islamic law school. The university has over 100,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments, making it one of the largest universities on the African continent. Al-Karaouine University's library is one of the oldest libraries in continuous operation, dating back to the 10th century.

Founded in 1088 AD in Bologna, Italy, the University of Bologna is the oldest continuously operating university in Europe. The university has a long and storied history, with over 1,300 years of academic excellence and innovation. Today, the University of Bologna has over 83,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments, making it one of the largest universities in Italy. The university's founding document, the Statuta Universitatis Bononiensis, is still in use today.

With a history dating back to 1096 AD, the University of Oxford is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The university was originally composed of teaching hospitals and schools of philosophy, law, medicine, and theology. Today, the University of Oxford has over 24,000 students enrolled across its various colleges and departments, making it one of the largest universities in the world.

Founded in 1209 AD, the University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university's origins date back to a group of scholars who fled Oxford University after a dispute, and were granted a royal charter by King Henry III. Today, the University of Cambridge has over 21,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments, making it one of the largest universities in the world.

Founded in 1218 AD, the University of Salamanca is the oldest university in Spain. The university was originally a monastic school, but was later established as an independent institution in 1499. Today, the University of Salamanca has over 50,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments.

Founded in 1290 AD, the University of Alcalá is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The university was originally established as a medieval studium generale, but later became an independent institution in 1491. Today, the University of Alcalá has over 40,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments.

Founded in 1348 AD in Prague, Czech Republic, Charles University is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The university was originally established as a university of Prague, but later became an independent institution in 1869. Today, Charles University has over 30,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments.

Founded in 1364 AD in Kraków, Poland, the Jagiellonian University is one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe. The university was originally established as a Franciscan studium generale, but later became an independent institution in 1815. Today, the Jagiellonian University has over 35,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments.

Founded in 1290 AD in Coimbra, Portugal, the University of Coimbra is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The university was originally established as a monastic school, but later became an independent institution in 1537. Today, the University of Coimbra has over 25,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments.

Founded in 1635 AD in Budapest, Hungary, Eötvös Loránd University is one of the oldest universities in Central Europe. The university was originally established as a studium generale, but later became an independent institution in 1867. Today, Eötvös Loránd University has over 40,000 students enrolled across its various faculties and departments.