The first universities in the world date from the s. X, but the tendency to create academies was not popularized until a century and a half later. Today we can highlight so many institutions of great value, such as the University of Munich, Harvard, MIT, etc. But which are the oldest? Read on to find out the answer.
Next, we list which are the first universities in the world:
The University of Bologna, Italy
It is the oldest university in the Eastern World, being founded in mid-1088 AD. C., representing the best of Italian culture. Now it has become a reference model throughout Europe. During the first years it specialized in Civil and Canon Law, however, over the centuries it was covering 20 other different schools. It currently offers more than 30 study options in English. On the other hand, you can study in various cities, including:
- Bologna
- Cesena
- Forli
- Ravenna
- Or Rimini
Do not forget that the most outstanding alumni of this university are Nicolaus Copernicus, Gregory XV, Innocence IX, and Alexander VI—these last three have played an important role as Popes.
Oxford University, England
It is the first university in the Anglo-Saxon world, however, the date of creation differs and specialists are not sure in what century it was founded. The truth is that it dates back to the s. XI, becoming ten centuries later one of the most admirable educational institutions, with more than 40 Nobel Prize winners, more than 25 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, and more than 20 celebrities, including Emma Watson. On the other hand, it ranks among the top 10 universities in the world.
We can highlight that today more than 20,000 students study in Oxford, located in Wellington Square. It also has four divisions: Medical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Many of these subjects offer a wide content of:
- Islamic studies
- Mathematics studies
- engineering studies
- biochemistry studies
- ornithology studies
- computer studies
- chemistry studies
- science studies
University of Salamanca, Spain
It was originated by King Alfonso IX of the kingdom of León in 1218 AD. C., being considered one of the oldest Hispanic studies in the world. We must point out that its student enrollment amounts to more than 80K, while it offers nine teaching and administrative campuses. Regarding its academic offers, there are 16 different faculties. Among the most important we can point out:
- Translation
- Documentation
- and fine arts
The University of Salamanca boasts a wide diversity of students from different countries, to the point that there are 70 different nationalities in its doctorates and masters. This makes it the number one university chosen by foreigners. Do not forget that it is also known for its constant celebrations, among them the investiture ceremonies for new doctors: during the act, the godparents give caps, rings, and badges to each doctorate, which vary in color according to the faculty. All this is done in Latin. Finally, an oath and a medal are imposed.
University of Paris, France
It was made in the middle of the s. XII, near the Cathedral of Notre Dame, being an educational organization that focuses on the Arts, Theology, Medicine, and Law. The negative side is that it was suspended in the period 1798-1898 (a century) due to the French Revolution. After this it was known as La Sorbonne, reorganized in the early 1970s with 18 autonomous centers that maintain the reputation of the original. Do not forget that it was recognized by the QS World University Ranking as the best university in France that stands out in the studies of Law, Economics, Political Science, Geography, History, and Philosophy. Today it offers more than 38,000 students and 17% of them are foreigners.
The list goes on, so we must point to Cambridge, dating to 1209, and other universities in the East, dating to 970 AD. C. Like, for example, Al-Azahar: the second oldest academy. The best thing is that it is still operating and teaching.
