What is the very first university?

The first university recognized as the oldest continually operating educational institution is the University of al-Qarawiyyin (or Al Quaraouiyine) in Fez, Morocco, founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri as a mosque and madrasa, later becoming part of Morocco's modern university system in 1963. While older learning centers existed, al-Qarawiyyin holds the Guinness World Record and is considered the first in the world, though some scholars debate its status as a "university" before its 1963 integration, viewing it as a madrasa for centuries.

What is the world's first true university?

The world's first university is widely accepted as the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, established in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri.

What is the first university in South Africa?

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa's oldest university, and is one of Africa's leading teaching and research institutions. The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa's oldest university, and is one of Africa's leading teaching and research institutions.

What is the oldest university in Africa?

1. University of al-Qarawiyyin (859) – Morocco. Recognised as the oldest continuously operating degree-granting university in the world, the University of al-Qarawiyyin was founded in 859 AD in Fez, Morocco.

What is the top 1st university in the world?

There's no single "number 1" university, as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently rank at the very top, with Oxford often #1 in Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 and MIT leading QS 2026 rankings, while Harvard University leads U.S. News rankings for global universities.
 

Top 10 Oldest Universities of World

What is the #1 best university?

There's no single "top 1" university, as rankings vary by methodology, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University, and the University of Oxford consistently rank at or near the top globally in 2025-2026, with MIT often #1 for overall global reputation (QS) and Princeton often #1 for US National Universities (U.S. News). Other top contenders include Harvard University, University of Cambridge, and Stanford, depending on the specific list. 

What is the oldest university in the world ever?

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

What is the youngest university in South Africa?

The University of Johannesburg is still the youngest in South Africa 🇿🇦, yet it has risen to become the number one university in research nationally 📚🏆!

Who founded the first university?

🎓 Do you know the world's first university was founded by a Muslim woman? Fatima al-Fihri (800–880 CE) – A visionary from Tunisia who moved to Fez, Morocco. 📍 In 859 CE, she founded Al-Qarawiyyin University — the oldest existing university in the world, still active today.

Which African country was the first to have a university?

North Africa the cradle of HE

The University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, which was established in 859 AD is the second-oldest higher learning institution still operational to date, cementing North Africa's place as the cradle and home of higher education.

Which university is number 1 in SA?

The University of Cape Town is currently the highest ranked university in Africa, although the University of the Witswatersrand is generally regarded as being in a firm second place, having exceeded or tied with the University of Cape Town in major rankings in recent years.

What was UJ called before?

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) was established in 2005 following a landmark merger between the Rand Afrikaans University, the Technikon Witwatersrand, and the Vista University Soweto Campus.

What are the 10 oldest countries in Africa?

A list of African countries by date of independence

• Ethiopia. 1270 (Empire formation) / May 5, 1941 (end of Italian occupation)
• Liberia. July 26, 1847.
• South Africa. May 31, 1910 (Union formed), fully independent republic since 1961.
• Egypt. ...
• Libya. ...
• Sudan. ...
• Morocco. ...
• Tunisia.

Who started universities in the world?

The earliest universities were developed under the aegis of the Latin Church by papal bull as studia generalia and perhaps from cathedral schools. It is possible, however, that the development of cathedral schools into universities was quite rare, with the University of Paris being an exception.

What city has the most universities?

Boston a college capital.

There are 36 colleges and universities within the city of Boston - 4 public and 32 private, (2 of which are specific graduate programs of private universities whose campuses are primarily located in neighboring communities.)

Is there a university older than Oxford?

The University of Bologna in Bologna, Italy, the world's oldest university in continuous operation A dining hall at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England, the world's second-oldest university and oldest in the English-speaking world A partial view of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England, the world's ...

What is the #1 university in the world?

There's no single "number 1" university, as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently rank at the very top, with Oxford often #1 in Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 and MIT leading QS 2026 rankings, while Harvard University leads U.S. News rankings for global universities.
 

Did Muslims create the first universities?

✨📚 In the 9th century, a Muslim woman, Fatima al-Fihri, founded the world's first university in Morocco!

What have Muslims ever invented?

The lives of human beings around the globe today would be quite different without the contributions of these medieval Muslim thinkers and inventors. Hospitals, universities, coffee and even the predecessors of modern violins and cameras, for example, were all pioneered during the Islamic Golden Age.

Which is the biggest school in South Africa?

Ogwini Comprehensive High School is the largest school in South Africa in terms of the number of students and teachers. It has over 3000 students and 117 teachers. An average of 55 students per class.

Who is the 17 year old graduate in South Africa?

At an age when most teenagers are still navigating high school, Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli will be donning her graduation gown this autumn as one of the University of Pretoria's (UP) youngest-ever graduates – obtaining a degree in Actuarial Science that she'd completed at the age of 17.

Who is the youngest doctor in South Africa?

Sandile Kubheka is South Africa's youngest doctor.

How old is the oldest university in Africa?

Top 10 oldest universities in Africa🌍. 1. Morocco🇲🇦 (859 AD) - University of Al-Qarawiyyin 2. Egypt🇪🇬 (970 AD) - University of Al-Azhar 3.

Is Harvard older than America?

Is Harvard Older Than America? Yes! America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, so Harvard does indeed predate America's establishment.