The UK’s Oldest Universities: Founding Dates & History

Whether you’re weighing up where to apply or just curious about the history behind some of Britain’s most iconic institutions, the oldest universities in the UK have centuries of stories to tell. From medieval foundations shaped by papal bulls to Victorian colleges built for a rapidly changing world, each one has left a mark on higher education globally.

Here are the 15 oldest UK universities, in chronological order.

1. University of Oxford

Founded: Around 1096–1167. Teaching in Oxford began around 1096 and grew rapidly after 1167 when Henry II barred English students from studying at the University of Paris. That sudden surge in demand helped establish Oxford as a formal centre of learning and the oldest university in England. To this day, it’s the oldest British university still in operation. The oldest Oxford college is University College, founded in 1249.

Location: Oxford, England

Best for: Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Law, Medicine, Mathematics, English Literature

Oxford is made up of 39 independent colleges, each with its own culture and admissions process. There is no single campus. The university is woven throughout the city itself. Expect tutorial-based teaching, world-class libraries, and traditions stretching back hundreds of years.

Famous alumni: Stephen Hawking, Margaret Thatcher, Oscar Wilde, J.R.R. Tolkien, Malala Yousafzai, Tony Blair, Indira Gandhi

2. University of Cambridge

Founded: 1209. Cambridge was established in 1209 by scholars who left Oxford following a dispute with local townspeople. It grew quickly into a major seat of learning and is the second-oldest university in the UK. The rivalry between the two is one of the most celebrated in academic history.

Location: Cambridge, England

Best for: Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Law

Cambridge operates through 31 colleges. It has no central campus, and buildings are spread across the city. Punting on the Cam, the May Balls, and an intensely academic culture all define the experience. It consistently ranks among the top universities in the world.

Famous alumni: Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Emma Thompson, John Maynard Keynes, Sylvia Plath

3. University of St Andrews

Founded: 1413. St Andrews received its papal bull (an official decree) from Pope Benedict XIII in 1413, making it Scotland’s oldest university and the third-oldest university in the UK. It was established primarily to educate clergy and extend scholarly learning across Scotland, at a time when Scottish students had to travel to Europe for a university education.

Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

Best for: International Relations, Medicine, Philosophy, Physics, Art History

A small coastal university town with an intimate feel and strong student traditions, including the famous Raisin Weekend. St Andrews has excellent research credentials and one of the world’s most famous golf courses right on its doorstep.

Famous alumni: Prince William, Kate Middleton (now Princess of Wales), John Cleese, James Wilson (Founding Father of the USA)

4. University of Glasgow

Founded: 1451. Founded by a papal bull from Pope Nicholas V, the University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the UK. Originally based near Glasgow Cathedral, it relocated to its current Gilmorehill site in the West End of the city in 1870.

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Best for: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Law, Business

The Gilmorehill campus is a Gothic Revival masterpiece, often considered one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world. Glasgow has a large, diverse student community and consistently strong research output across science and medicine, making it a great choice for students interested in those subjects.

Famous alumni: Adam Smith, Gerard Butler, Lord Kelvin, James Watt, John Logie Baird

5. University of Aberdeen

Founded: 1495. King’s College, Aberdeen, was founded in 1495 by Bishop William Elphinstone with authorisation from Pope Alexander VI. It later merged with Marischal College in 1860 to form the University of Aberdeen as it stands today, making it one of the oldest universities in Scotland and the UK.

Location: Aberdeen, Scotland

Best for: Medicine, Law, Divinity, Energy Studies, Marine Biology

Aberdeen has two main sites: the medieval King’s College campus and the modern Foresterhill health campus. Its strong research focus on energy and medicine reflects the city’s deep ties to the North Sea oil industry.

Famous alumni: Lord Byron, James Gregory (inventor of the reflecting telescope), Robert William Thomson (inventor of the pneumatic tyre)

6. University of Edinburgh

Founded: 1583. Edinburgh stands apart from most of the oldest UK universities in that it was founded by the town council rather than the church or the Crown. However, it did receive a royal charter from King James VI of Scotland. This civic origin gave it a distinctly progressive character from the start.

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Best for: Medicine, Law, Informatics, Architecture, Divinity

A large, research-intensive university across one of Europe’s most dramatic capital cities. The Old College on South Bridge is iconic, and the city itself draws students from around the world. Edinburgh consistently ranks in the global top 20.

Famous alumni: Charles Darwin, Arthur Conan Doyle, David Hume, Tony Blair, J.K. Rowling (honorary degree)

7. University of Strathclyde

Founded: 1796. The University of Strathclyde traces its origins to Anderson’s Institution, founded in 1796 by John Anderson, a professor at the University of Glasgow who wanted to create a place of “useful learning” for ordinary people. It was a radical idea for its time. Strathclyde received its royal charter as a university in 1964.

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Best for: Engineering, Business, Pharmacy, Law, Computer Science

A city-centre campus university right in the heart of Glasgow, with a strong emphasis on applied research and industry partnerships. Strathclyde is well-known for engineering and business, and has been named Scottish University of the Year multiple times.

Famous alumni: Sir William Arrol (engineer of the Forth Bridge and Tower Bridge), John Arbuthnott (former Principal), Jim Murphy (politician)

8. University of Manchester

Founded: 1824. The University of Manchester dates its earliest roots to 1824, when the Manchester Mechanics’ Institution was established to educate working men in science and the arts, one of the first institutions of its kind in the world. Owens College followed in 1851, founded from a bequest by merchant John Owens, and became the Victoria University of Manchester in 1904 before merging with UMIST in 2004 to form the current institution. It is one of the oldest universities in England outside London.

Location: Manchester, England

Best for: Business, Engineering, Medicine, Economics, Physics, Computer Science

One of the UK’s largest universities, with a sprawling campus just south of the city centre. Manchester has produced more Nobel Prize winners than almost any other UK institution. The city itself is consistently rated one of the best places to be a student in the country.

Famous alumni: Alan Turing, Brian Cox, Emmeline Pankhurst, Benedict Cumberbatch (postgraduate), Terry Leahy

9. University College London (UCL)

Founded: 1826. UCL was founded in 1826 as London University, one of the first universities in England to admit students regardless of religion or gender. It was a deliberately secular and inclusive institution, which made it genuinely unique for its era.

Location: London, England

Best for: Architecture, Law, Economics, Life Sciences, Engineering, Medicine

Based in Bloomsbury, close to the British Museum, UCL draws students from over 150 countries. It consistently ranks among the world’s top ten universities, with a strong record across science, the arts, and professional disciplines.

Famous alumni: Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander Graham Bell, Chris Martin (Coldplay), Ricky Gervais, Jonathan Dimbleby

10. University of Sheffield

Founded: 1828. Sheffield’s origins lie in the Sheffield Medical School, founded in 1828. Firth College followed in 1879, and Sheffield Technical School in 1884. The three institutions merged to form University College Sheffield in 1897, before receiving its royal charter in 1905.

Location: Sheffield, England

Best for: Engineering, Medicine, Journalism, Town Planning, Physics, Music

Sheffield is consistently ranked among the UK’s best universities for student satisfaction. Its campus sits close to the city centre, its students’ union is award-winning, and its research in engineering and science is well respected nationally and internationally.

Famous alumni: Jessica Ennis-Hill, Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley, David Blunkett

11. King’s College London (KCL)

Founded: 1829. King’s College London was co-founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, set up as a church-based complement to the recently founded UCL. It is one of the founding colleges of the University of London and one of the oldest universities in London.

Location: London, England

Best for: Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Nursing, War Studies, Biomedical Sciences

KCL has several campuses along the South Bank and in central London, including the Strand, Guy’s Hospital, and St Thomas’ Hospital. It is a world-leading research university with particular strength in health, science, law, and the humanities.

Famous alumni: Florence Nightingale, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Virginia Woolf, Peter Higgs

12. Durham University

Founded: 1832. Durham was established by Act of Parliament in 1832, with strong support from the Bishop of Durham. It was modelled closely on the collegiate systems at Oxford and Cambridge, and is one of the oldest universities in England outside those two institutions.

Location: Durham, England

Best for: Law, Archaeology, Physics, Business, Theology

A collegiate university with a striking backdrop. The Norman cathedral and castle dominate the hilltop, and each college has its own distinct character. Durham has a strong academic reputation and is often considered England’s third-best university.

Famous alumni: Ridley Scott, Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury), Mackenzie Crook, Sam Fender

13. Newcastle University

Founded: 1834. Newcastle’s roots lie in the School of Medicine and Surgery, founded in 1834. The College of Physical Science (later Armstrong College) followed in 1871. The two merged as King’s College, a division of Durham University, before Newcastle became fully independent in 1963.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Best for: Medicine, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Marine Science, Agriculture

A large campus university in the heart of the city with one of the UK’s most vibrant student scenes. Newcastle has a strong reputation in medicine and engineering, and its Architecture and Marine Science programmes are particularly well regarded.

Famous alumni: Rowan Atkinson, Steve Cram, Alan Shearer (honorary degree)

14. Aberystwyth University

Founded: 1872. Aberystwyth was the first university in Wales, founded in 1872 with funds raised largely through public donations, including contributions from Welsh working people seeking access to higher education. It received its royal charter in 1893.

Location: Aberystwyth, Wales

Best for: Politics, International Relations, Welsh and Celtic Studies, Geography, Law

A small, scenic campus university on the west coast of Wales, right beside the sea. Aberystwyth has a strong sense of community and is known for its commitment to the Welsh language and culture. Its Politics and International Relations department is well regarded worldwide.

Famous alumni: Neil Kinnock, Elystan Morgan, Jan Morris, Prince Charles (honorary degree)

15. University of Leeds

Founded: 1874. The University of Leeds started off as the Yorkshire College of Science, founded in 1874, and the Leeds School of Medicine. The two merged to form Yorkshire College, which joined the federal Victoria University before Leeds received its own royal charter in 1904.

Location: Leeds, England

Best for: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Fashion and Design, Business, Music

A large, research-intensive campus university in the heart of one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities. Leeds has a huge students’ union, a strong events culture, and consistently high rankings across science, the arts, and business.

Famous alumni: Mel B (Spice Girls), Barbara Taylor Bradford, Jeremy Paxman, Alan Bennett

FAQs about the oldest universities

What is the oldest university in the world?

The University of Bologna in Italy, founded in 1088, is widely considered the oldest university in the world. It predates Oxford by nearly a century and was established primarily to study Roman law.

What was the first UK university?

The University of Oxford holds that title. Teaching began there around 1096–1167, making it the oldest university in the UK and England. It is also among the oldest universities in the world.

Which is older, Oxford or Cambridge?

Oxford is older by about a century. Cambridge was founded in 1209 by scholars who left Oxford following a dispute with the local community.

Are older universities better?

Not always. Age is part of a university’s story, but it doesn’t tell the whole one. Course quality, teaching style, location, campus culture, and your personal fit all matter far more for day-to-day experience. That said, many of the oldest universities in the UK, like Oxford, Cambridge, and Scotland’s ancient universities, rank consistently in global top-20 lists, with centuries of research infrastructure, endowments, and alumni networks behind them. The right university is the one that suits your subject, ambitions, and lifestyle.

Read our guide on how to choose a university to help you find the right one.

Planning on studying at one of the oldest universities in London?

If you’re heading to UCL or King’s College London, two of the oldest universities in London, urbanest has student accommodation right on the doorstep. With properties across Zone 1, including King’s Cross, Westminster Bridge, Tower Bridge, and Vauxhall, you’ll be minutes from campus. Every urbanest property includes all-inclusive bills, high-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 on-site support teams, and a range of room types from studios to twin rooms. Plus, regular community events and social spaces make it easy to meet people and settle into London life from day one.

Explore our properties in central London or book your room today.