The United Kingdom is the birthplace of some of the world’s oldest and most well-known universities, each with a rich legacy spanning centuries. These academic institutions have shaped the UK’s education and played pivotal roles in history, politics, culture, and global research.
The University of Oxford is the oldest of these establishments, with roots dating back to the 11th century. The University of Cambridge emerged shortly afterward, sparking a centuries-long rivalry that fueled academic excellence. Scotland is also home to some ancient universities like St Andrews, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, which were instrumental in the Scottish Enlightenment.
Top 10 Oldest Universities in the UK
Today, these institutions are still at the forefront of education, offering diverse courses and producing some of the most outstanding scholars and academics in history. Their alumni have left unerasable marks on the world, from Nobel laureates to literary giants and political leaders. Exploring the histories of these universities offers a glimpse into the evolution of higher education and the enduring pursuit of knowledge.
University of Oxford (1096-1167)
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s second-oldest university in continuous operation. The university started its journey as early as 1096 but grew rapidly from 1167 after Henry II banned English students from getting admitted to the University of Paris.
The University of Oxford’s actual foundation date is unknown. Some historians claim that the university was founded in the 10th century by Alfred the Great, although this story is apocryphal. The first recorded lecture was given by scholar Theobald of Etampes in the early 1100s.
Oxford has a long list of notable alumni, including 31 prime ministers of the UK, 73 Nobel Prize laureates, 4 Fields Medalists, and 6 Turing Award winners. Some of the best subjects in the university are biological sciences, computer science, chemistry, chemical engineering, economics, fine arts, law, medicine, and history.
University of Cambridge (1209-1226)
The University of Cambridge is the world’s third-oldest university in continuous operation. The university’s founding is related to the founding of the University of Oxford. The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209. After a dispute with local townspeople, students left the University of Oxford for Cambridge. Although these two universities share many standard features, they are often rivals.
The University of Cambridge includes eight cultural and scientific museums and 116 libraries holding approximately 16 million books. Cambridge alumni include 124 Nobel Prize winners and 194 Olympic Medal winners. Some of the famous graduates from this university are Francis Bacon, Lord Byron, Oliver Cromwell, Charles Darwin, Rajiv Gandhi, John Harvard, and Stephen Hawkings.
Cambridge offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various subjects, but the notable majors are engineering, law, mathematics, biological sciences, civil engineering, medicine, English studies, mathematics, chemistry, and archaeology.
University of St Andrews (1410-1413)
The University of St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world. The university was founded in 1413 after Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII issued a papal bull to a small founding group of the Augustinian Clergy. This university was pivotal in the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century.
The university comprises various institutions, such as three colleges and eighteen academic schools. The University of St Andrews has a diverse student body of over 145 nationalities. Some notable alumni include the former first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, former Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill, Olympic gold medalist Christ Hoy, and five Nobel laureates.
The best majors in the university are management, computer science, psychology, chemistry, medicine, biological sciences, anthropology, physics, history, philosophy, social sciences, mathematics, and economics. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in these majors.
University of Glasgow (1451)
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland’s four ancient universities. The university was established in 1451 by a charter from Pope Nicholas V at the suggestion of King James II. This university played an important role during the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century, along with the universities of St Andrews, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh. This university is the fifth-largest in the UK by postgraduate enrolment.
The long list of alumni of the University of Glasgow includes prominent historical figures like James Wilson, William Lamb, Bonar Law, Humza Yousaf, Donald Dewar, Adam Smith, James Watt, Lord Kelvin, 4 Nobel Prize Laureates, and numerous Olympic Gold medalists.
Some of the best undergrad courses at the University of Glasgow include accountancy and finance, aeronautical engineering, anatomy, ancient history, and archaeology. Best postgraduate degrees include biomedical sciences, brain sciences, psychology, literature, and gender history.
University of Aberdeen (1495-1505)
The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495 when the Bishop of Aberdeen, William Elphinstone, and the Chancellor of Scotland petitioned Pope Alexander VI to establish King’s College. The university later merged with Marischal College to become the University of Aberdeen. This university was a beacon during the Scottish Enlightenment.
Aberdeen has a long list of notable alumni, including five Nobel laureates: two in chemistry, one in physiology or medicine, one in physics, and one in peace. This university also played a key role during the Scottish Reformation, Scottish Enlightenment, and Scottish Renaissance.
The University of Aberdeen offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses such as accountancy, accountancy and legal studies, animal behavior and welfare, anthropology, art history, civil engineering, computer science, computer science and mathematics, economics and philosophy, and sociology.
University of Edinburgh (1583)
The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 by the town council under the authority of a royal charter from King James VI. The university was officially subpoenaed in 1583, making it one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and the sixth-oldest university in continuous operation in the English-speaking world. This university played a crucial role during the Scottish Enlightenment, nicknamed the Athens of the North.
Notable alumni of this university are Alexander Graham Bell, Charles Darwin, David Hume, James Clerk Maxwell, J.M. Barrie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson, as well as 20 Nobel Prize laureates, four Pulitzer Prize winners, three Turing Award Winner, an Abel Prize laureate, a Fields Medalist, and ten Olympic gold medalists.
Some of the best majors for undergraduate and postgraduate students include agricultural sciences, artificial intelligence, arts and humanities, biology and biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, ecology, engineering, immunology, infectious diseases, microbiology, oncology, optics, physics, physical chemistry, and social sciences and public health.
Durham University (1832)
Durham University was founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. The University of Durham is the third-oldest in England after Oxford and Cambridge. The university consists of seventeen colleges and several different academic departments. This university is also a member of the Russell Group of British research universities and affiliated with the regional N8 Research Partnership.
Graduates of this university include 15 Fellows of the Royal Society, 18 Fellows of the British Academy, 16 Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences, 5 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 3 Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts, 2 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and 2 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Some of this university’s best courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students are accounting and finance, business analytics, business and management, economics, finance, human resource management, supply chain management, advanced computer science, anthropology, behavioral science, bioarchaeology, biological sciences, etc.
University of London (1836)
The University of London was established in 1836 by a royal charter as a degree-awarding examination board for students from University College London, King’s College London, and other institutions. It is one of the three institutions claiming to be the third-oldest University in England.
The University comprises 17 member institutions and three central academic bodies. The institution has around 219,000 on-campus students, making it the most extensive University in terms of the number of students in the United Kingdom. Many of the member institutions operate on an independent basis, with many awarding their own degrees.
Notable alumni of this University include at least 14 monarchs or royalty, 60 presidents or prime ministers, two Cabinet Secretaries of the UK, 98 Nobel laureates, five Fields Medalists, four Turing Award winners, six Grammy winners, two Oscar winners, and three Olympic gold medalists.
University of Wales (1893)
The University of Wales was founded in 1893 by royal charter as a federal university. Its constituent colleges were Aberystwyth, Bangor, and Cardiff. The University was the first University established in Wales and, before the federation’s breakup, was the second-largest University in the UK.
The University of Wales was functionally integrated with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2017. Some of the best courses at the University include accounting and finance, business and management, civil engineering and architecture, computing, English and creative writing, and film, media and animation.
University of Birmingham (1900)
The University of Birmingham was established in 1900 by a royal charter to be the successor to Queen’s College and Mason Science College. It is a founding member of the Russell Group of British Research Universities and the international network of research universities, Universitas 21.
Some of the notable academics and alumni of the university are former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Stanley Baldwin, the British Composer Sir Edward Elgar, and eleven Nobel laureates.
Some of the best undergraduate degrees in this university are computer science, business management, software engineering, accounting and finance, biomedical science, economics, mathematics, and biological sciences. Best postgraduate degrees include international business, management, medicine and surgery, marketing, and economics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the First University in the UK?
Oxford University is the oldest university in the UK and the entire English-speaking world. The university started teaching as early as 1096 making it the oldest university in the UK.
What Is the Oldest Medical School in the UK?
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry is the oldest medical school in the UK and it was established in 1123.
How Many Ancient Universities Are There in the UK?
There are seven ancient universities in the UK such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, University of Glasgow, University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, and Trinity College Dublin.
What Is the Oldest Catholic School in the UK?
St Edmund’s College is the oldest Catholic school in the UK. This private day and boarding school was established in 1568 as a seminary and is the oldest continuously operating Catholic school in the UK.
Is Oxford Older Than Cambridge?
Yes, Oxford is older than Cambridge. The University of Oxford started teaching students as early as 1096 and the University of Cambridge was founded in 1209.
What Is the Oldest University in Scotland?
The University of St Andrews is the oldest University in Scotland. It was established in 1413 and is regarded as the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Conclusion
The UK is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. All of these have a rich history and a lasting impact on education, research, and the development of society. These universities have shaped our intellectual thoughts and produced some of the greatest minds in history. Whatever subject interests you, you should always consider these universities when pursuing a world-class education.