What are the oldest universities in the UK?

If you are looking to study in a place with a long tradition of quality education, you are wise to look at the UK. From dreaming spires to red bricks, some of the world’s most historic universities are in the country. Each have their own fascinating story to tell, comprising centuries of change and progress. But which ones have been around for the longest time? Read on to discover more about the oldest universities in the UK.

Can we be sure of when each university opened?

For several reasons, it is not always easy to identify exactly when a university was established. In some cases, this is due to technicalities such as the merging of different institutions that gained university status at different times. In the case of the UK’s oldest universities, the problem can simply be that the historical record is incomplete.

What is the oldest university in the UK?

Regardless of the complications of history, it is generally accepted that the University of Oxford is the oldest university in the UK. According to the university itself, classes were taught in the city from 1096 onwards. Over the course of the next century, these became more widespread and increasingly formal. By 1190, Oxford was already welcoming international students.

Developments at Oxford soon led to the beginnings of the UK’s second oldest university: the University of Cambridge. In 1209, scholars fled to the city after three were executed by Oxford's mayor. Upon arriving, classes were established, and have run ever since.

Want to know which are the next oldest UK universities? Take a look at our list of the top 10 below.

Note: this table excludes universities that are now closed, and uses the dates at which institutions are widely accepted to have attained university status. This excludes those that were members of other universities before becoming universities independently (such as University College London), but includes the University of Manchester as a continuation of the original Victoria University.

What is the oldest university in Scotland?

The oldest university in Scotland is the University of St Andrews. Founded in 1410 and granted university status three years later, it is also the third oldest university in the UK.

Scotland is also home to the fourth, fifth and sixth oldest existing universities in the UK. The universities of Glasgow (1451), Aberdeen (1495), and Edinburgh (1583) complete Scotland’s group of four ancient institutions, and were the last current UK universities to have been established for another 250 years.

Want to know what it's like to attend university in the country today? Read our student guide to Scotland.

What is the oldest university in Wales?

Defining the oldest university in Wales is complicated by the uneven way in which higher education emerged in the country. However, the existing university with the longest history is the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Although it did not take its current form until 2010, it did so as a merger of the University of Wales, Lampeter, and Trinity University College.

Founded in 1822 and 1848 respectively, these two institutions were the oldest members of the now defunct University of Wales, which was established as the country's first officially recognised university in 1893. So, although its path to existence may be confusing, Trinity Saint David clearly has unrivalled heritage.

Learn about modern university life in the land of Aberystwyth, Bangor and Cardiff with our student guide to Wales.

What is the oldest university in Northern Ireland?

The oldest university in Northern Ireland is Queen’s University Belfast. The institution has its roots in Queen’s College, Belfast, which was established in 1845 as one of three colleges that soon combined to form the Queen’s University of Ireland (later the Royal University of Ireland). When that was dissolved in 1909, the college was given independent university status, which it has retained ever since.

The remaining two colleges, Cork and Galway, became part of the new National University of Ireland. Today, this is a group of several universities and colleges in the Republic of Ireland. As University College Cork and the University of Galway, they remain members.

Discover the delights of Belfast and beyond by reading our student guide to Northern Ireland.

Does the UK have the oldest universities in the world?

Despite the long history of the UK’s oldest universities, the country cannot claim to have the oldest in the world. That title goes to the University of Bologna in Italy, where classes have been held since the year 1088. The term university itself was coined for the institution.

Oxford and Cambridge are therefore the world’s second and third oldest existing universities, and the oldest to teach in the English language. In the century following their establishment, many more universities were founded around Europe. Some of these, such as the University of Salamanca in Spain and the University of Padua in Italy, have operated ever since.

Of course, none of these institutions can claim to be the originators of organised advanced study. The global history of education goes back much further than the European conception of universities that emerged in places like Bologna. However, when using it as a basis for identifying which are the oldest, these famous names are first on the list.

If all of this rich history has increased your interest in studying in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, why not read our guide to the best student cities in the UK? Then, if you are wondering how to get there, try our advice on how to apply to study in the UK. Finally, if you are looking for your ideal university and study programme, our Course Matcher tool can make your search simple.