Medieval European Universities

The universities included on this list were established before 1500—prior to the spread of the Western model of higher education to the rest of the world. These universities have also retained their institutional structure from the time they were established and are still in operation today. Here are some of the Medieval European Universities.

University of Bologna

The University of Bologna was founded by Italian jurist, Irnerius, in 1088. Located in Bologna, Italy, this institution holds the record for being the oldest university that has not experienced even a brief suspension of its operations since its establishment.

In 2019, The University of Bologna ranked as the leading public university in Italy (Statista, 2020), and had 81, 220 students for the academic year 2017/18. There are 6,293 international students enrolled in the institution and it is one of the top universities participating in the Erasmus+ exchange program.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford was established in 1096 and is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Located in the United Kingdom, it experienced rapid expansion in 1167 when Henry II prohibited English students from attending the University of Paris. It runs the world’s largest university press, the largest academic library system in the country,  and the oldest university museum.

The university received more than 23,000 applications for undergraduate programs while over 30,000 students applied for postgraduate degrees in 2019. It welcomes about 3,300 undergraduate students and about 5,500 graduate places each year. Through its Opportunity Oxford program, the university aims to increase its intake of British undergraduates from low-income backgrounds to 25 per cent by 2023.

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge was established in 1209 and granted the Royal Charter by King Henry III in 1231. It was established by a group of scholars who migrated from the University of Oxford to take refuge from political conflicts with the townspeople. Up to now, the two universities share many common features, which brought about the portmanteau “Oxbridge.”

Based on the university’s admissions statistics, there were 19,359 undergraduate applicants for the academic year 2019/20 with 3,528 students accepted into the institution. As for postgraduate applications, the university received 22,867 applications and accepted 3,919 students. 

University of Salamanca

The University of Salamanca was founded in 1134. In 1218, it was granted the Royal Charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX of Leon. Located in the city of Salamanca (approximately 200 kilometers west of Madrid), this institution holds the record for being the oldest university in the Hispanic world.

Aside from attracting students both from the communities of Castile and León and surrounding regions, the university also attracts more than 2,000 foreign students each year and is particularly known for its Spanish courses for non-native speakers. 

University of Padua

The University of Padua was founded in 1222 by students and professors from Bologna. Located in the city of Padua in the region of Veneto, Northern Italy, the institution propelled ideas that helped change the scientific and cultural history of humanity. It was the alma mater of Andrea Vesalio, founder of modern anatomy. It was also the place where astronomers Galileo and Copernicus observed the skies.

In the academic year 2018/19, the university enrolled 59,335 students (Statista, 2020), and ranked 2nd among the best universities in Italy, after the University of Bologna (Statista, 2020). It has also announced the availability of 100 scholarships in A.Y. 2020/21 for refugee students or students who have received international protection. 

University of Coimbra

The University of Coimbra was established in 1290 and is the oldest university in Portugal. It was originally located in Lisbon and transferred to Coimbra in 1308. It alternated between these two cities until finally settling in the city of River Mondego in 1537.

The university is also one of the founding members of the Coimbra Group, an international association of 39 universities in Europe founded in 1985. UNESCO has designated the University of Coimbra as a World Heritage Site on June 22, 2013.

Research.com