Although we tend to think of universities as a relatively modern invention, higher education has a long history, dating back thousands of years. After all, the thirst for knowledge is the driving force behind human nature. 

Centres of learning first emerged in ancient civilisations such as Egypt, Greece, India, Mesopotamia, and China, focusing on aspects relevant to their time, such as religion, philosophy, and science.

In Europe, modern educational institutions first began to form around the 11th century, often as guilds for students and teachers affiliated with the Church. These institutions specialised in theology, law, medicine, and philosophy, which were typically taught in Latin.

Later, the University of Oxford became the first among the oldest universities in the UK, and the first in the English-speaking world, paving the way for higher education.

In this blog post, we’ll uncover a part of the past, and you’ll learn about the history of UK universities, as well as their myths and legacies. 

The ‘Old University’ Criteria 

In this list, we’ve ranked universities based on the year they gained official university status and could award their own degrees.

Universities are historically old if they belong to the following criteria:

• Ancient universities like Oxford and Cambridge were already operating as degree-awarding institutions, and formal charters came later.

• Modern universities gain official status usually through a royal charter or an Act of Parliament.

So, while some colleges were founded earlier, they aren't considered in the list of the UK’s oldest official universities, as they didn't meet these requirements.

UK Universities Classification Explained

• Ancient Universities: Founded before the 17th century and are still operating, such as Oxford and Cambridge.

• Old Universities: Chartered before the 19th-century reforms, such as Durham (1832).

• Red Brick Universities: Established in industrial cities between the late 1800s and early 1900s, and were often characterised by a focus on red brick buildings.

• Civic Universities: Created by local councils to serve urban populations; sometimes overlap with red brick.

• Russell Group: A group of 24 top UK research universities known for academic excellence.

The 20 Oldest Universities in the UK

Here are the top 20 historic universities, from Oxford to Leicester:

1. University of Oxford

Location: Oxford, England
Founded: c. 1096

Category: Ancient University, Russell Group

The University of Oxford began teaching in 1096 and received formal recognition via papal bull in 1254. It quickly rose to prominence in the fields of literature, research, politics, and science.

Noteworthy: Ranked #1 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings from 2017–2025, according to the Oxford official Facts and Figures page. 

Claim to Fame: Alumni include 31 British Prime Ministers, Stephen Hawking, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Did you know?

Myth: Oxford University is the oldest university in the world.

Fact: It's older than Cambridge, but younger than al-Qarawiyyin (859) and Bologna (1088) universities.

2. University of Cambridge

Location: Cambridge, England
Founded: 1209

Category: Ancient University, Russell Group

The University of Cambridge has become renowned for its innovation in science, maths, and the humanities.

Noteworthy: Birthplace of the modern computer (via Alan Turing) and the discovery of DNA’s structure.                                                       

Claim to Fame: Consistently ranks within the top 5, according to the THE World University Ranking 2025.

Did you know?

Myth: The University of Cambridge is older than the University of Oxford.

Fact: Oxford predates Cambridge by over 100 years.

3. University of St Andrews

Location: St Andrews, Scotland

Founded: 1413

Category: Ancient University

Scotland’s oldest university, the University of St Andrews, was a centre for Scottish scholarship and religious thought, and is now famous for its world-leading research.

Noteworthy: The University’s motto is taken from Homer’s Iliad: “Ever to Excel”.

Claim to fame: Based on the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, over 88% of the university’s research was categorised as internationally excellent or world-leading.

Did you know?

Myth: The University of St Andrews is a large university.

Fact: It’s a small university, made up of a tight-knit student community.

4. University of Glasgow

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Founded: 1451

Category: Ancient University, Russell Group

The University of Glasgow, as Scotland's second-oldest university, has played a pivotal role in the Scottish Enlightenment and excels in science, law, and the arts.

Noteworthy: Adam Smith, economist and author of The Wealth of Nations, studied and taught there. 

Claim to Fame: Alumni include 2 First Ministers of Scotland, 2 UK Prime Ministers, and 8 Nobel Laureates.

Did you know?

Myth: Adam Smith studied and taught economics at the University.

Fact: He taught moral philosophy, but economics wasn’t yet a defined subject at his time.

5. University of Aberdeen

Location: Aberdeen, Scotland

Founded: 1495

Category: Ancient University, Russell Group

The University of Aberdeen was established as King’s College with papal approval. It’s known for its expertise in medicine, law, and marine science.

Noteworthy: Designed and built the first full-body MRI scanner in the 1980s.

Claim to Fame: The university is ranked 15th in the UK and second in Scotland (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025).

Did you know?

Myth: Aberdeen was always a single institution.

Fact: Originally, there were two competing colleges: King's College and Marischal College, which merged in 1860.

6. University of Edinburgh 

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Founded: 1582

Category: Ancient University, Russell Group

The University of Edinburgh rose to prominence in science, philosophy, and medicine during the Scottish Enlightenment.

Noteworthy: Home to the Roslin Institute, which cloned Dolly the sheep.

Claim to Fame: Its 1726 medical school set the standard for medical education in Europe.

Did you know?

Myth: It was founded by the Church.

Fact: It was established by the town council under King James VI. 

7. University of Durham

Location: Durham, England 

Founded: 1832

Category: Old University, Russell Group

The University of Durham is the third-oldest university in England, and combines tradition with cutting-edge research and a strong sense of community. 

Noteworthy: Durham Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses students.

Claim to Fame: Durham is often regarded as the “Oxbridge of the North” and is a global leader in archaeology, theology, and earth sciences.

Did you know?

Myth: It’s the UK’s third-oldest university.

Fact: It’s third in England, but Scotland has older universities.

8. University of London

Location: London, England

Founded: 1836

Category: Civic University, Russell Group (some colleges)

The University of London is a federal university made up of prestigious colleges, including UCL, KCL, and LSE. It broke barriers in inclusive education.

Noteworthy: Senate House, where the University is located, has been featured in numerous TV shows and films.

Claim to Fame: The first UK university to award degrees to women in 1878.

Did you know?

Myth: To obtain a degree, you need to study in London.

Fact: Since 1858, the university has offered distance learning, making it one of the oldest providers of remote degrees in the world.

9. University of Manchester

Location: Manchester, England

Founded: 1880 (as Victoria University).

Category: Red Brick University, Russell Group

Formed from Owens College, the University of Manchester became independent after merging with UMIST in 2004.

Noteworthy: It’s the birthplace of graphene, and it played a key role in building the first modern computer.

Claim to Fame: 25 Nobel laureates are among its staff and alumni.

Did you know?

Myth: The university has always been independent.
Fact: It only became fully independent in 2004.

10. The University of Wales

Location: Wales (federal)

Founded: 1893

Category: Civic University

A federal university that united colleges in Aberystwyth, Bangor, and Cardiff. Its structure is now largely dissolved; however, it laid the foundation for Welsh higher education. 

Noteworthy: It shaped Welsh higher education for over a century.

Claim to Fame: Alumni include a Nobel Peace Prize winner and multiple prominent Welsh politicians.

Did you know?

Myth: The university is a single active university today.
Fact: Its member colleges now operate independently.

11. University of Birmingham

Location: Birmingham, England

Founded: 1900

Category: Red Brick University, Russell Group

Founded in the industrial era, the University of Birmingham aimed to provide inclusive, research-based higher education.

Noteworthy: Its clock tower, Old Joe, is the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world.

Claim to Fame: Developed the cavity magnetron, key to radar and microwaves.

Did you know?

Myth: Birmingham was modelled after Oxford and Cambridge.
Fact: It broke tradition by emphasising practical knowledge and access to education.

12. University of Liverpool

Location: Liverpool, England

Founded: 1903

Category: Red Brick University, Russell Group

Initially established as University College Liverpool in 1881, the University of Liverpool gained independence in 1903. 

Noteworthy: Home to the world’s first School of Tropical Medicine and School of Civic Design.

Claim to Fame: Sir Charles Sherrington’s work led to the discovery of the synapse.

Did you know?

Myth: It was always a university.

Fact: It separated from the Victoria University federation in 1903.

13. University of Leeds

Location: Leeds, England

Founded: 1904

Category: Red Brick University, Russell Group

Originating as the Yorkshire College of Science, the University of Leeds became a centre for science, engineering, and healthcare. 

Noteworthy: William Henry Bragg and his son Lawrence pioneered X-ray crystallography here.

Claim to Fame: Helped shape the UK’s net-zero 2050 policy. 

Did you know? 

Myth: Leeds was always independent.

Fact: It started as a college affiliated with the University of London and gained full university status in 1904. 

14. University of Sheffield 

Location: Sheffield, England

Founded: 1905 

Category: Red Brick University, Russell Group

Formed by merging three local colleges, the University of Sheffield was established with strong community roots and has contributed to the local economy through partnerships and research.

Noteworthy: Winner of five Queen’s Anniversary Prizes.

Claim to Fame: Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut who is also the first woman to visit the Mir space station, studied here.

Did you know?

Myth: Sheffield is mainly an arts university.

Fact: It’s also globally recognised for materials science, engineering, and aerospace.

15. Queen’s University Belfast

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Founded: 1908

Category: Public University (with civic ethos), Russell Group

Queen’s University Belfast aimed to support accessible education and has now evolved into a place that bridges tradition with fields such as cybersecurity, health, and the arts.

Noteworthy: Awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its cybersecurity centre.

Claim to Fame: Its research institute plays a vital role in cancer research and global health.

Did you know?

Myth: It’s named after Queen Elizabeth II.

Fact: It’s named after Queen Victoria, who founded Queen’s Colleges in 1845.

16. University of Bristol 

Location: Bristol, England

Founded: 1909

Category: Red Brick, Russell Group

Founded as the University College Bristol, the University of Bristol aimed to provide education for men and women. 

Noteworthy: It’s recognised globally for teaching, law research, and social science.

Claim to Fame: First UK university to declare a climate emergency in 2019. 

Did you know?

Myth: Its reputation is recent, driven by modern rankings.

Fact: It has a long-standing reputation and was a founding member of the Russell Group in 1994.

17. University of Reading

Location: Reading, England

Founded: 1926

Category: Civic University

Originally an extension college of the University of Oxford, the University of Reading aimed for accessibility, practical subjects, and public service.

Noteworthy: The Whiteknights campus was awarded the Green Flag Award 14 times in a row.

Claim to Fame: The only UK university granted status between World War I and World War II.

Did you know?

Myth: The university is situated in central Oxford.

Fact: It was based in Reading, Berkshire, and was granted university status in 1926.

18. University of Hull

Location: Hull, England

Founded: 1954

Category: Post-Civic

The University of Hull aimed to serve the industrial community and champion social mobility, as evidenced by its innovative research.

Noteworthy:  Developed liquid-crystal technology.

Claim to Fame: Home to the third oldest department of drama in the UK.

Did you know?

Myth: The drama department is a recent addition to the university.

Fact: The drama department was established in 1969.

19. University of Exeter

Location: Exeter, England

Founded: 1955

Category: Post-Civic University, Russell Group

By 1955, the University of Exeter received its charter and had four faculties: law, social studies, science, and arts. Now, it leads in health sciences, climate science, and environmental studies.

Noteworthy: In 1996, it won the Queen’s Anniversary Award for research.

Claim to Fame: The university has seven IPCC contributors.

Did you know?

Myth: It has no historical roots.

Fact: Its origins date back to 1838.

20. University of Leicester

Location: Leicester, England

Founded: 1957

Category: Post-Civic University

The University of Leicester was founded as a living memorial post World War I, honouring history while aiming to make a difference in genetics, forensics, and space science.

Noteworthy: Birthplace of genetic fingerprinting.

Claim to Fame: Its Space Research Centre has contributed instruments to major NASA and ESA missions.

Did you know?

Myth: Richard III’s remains were found by accident.

Fact: It was a result of the university’s research, planning, and historical analysis.

Honourable Mentions: Historic Colleges

Although the following institutions weren’t independent universities when first founded, they made significant contributions to the UK higher education:

Education has shaped civilisations for millennia, and we are still witnessing the evolution of learning, from history to the present day. The UK’s oldest universities have not only affected the UK people, but also the global intellectual sphere as a whole.

From Oxford to Russell Group and post-civic universities, these institutions reflect learning across a wide range of fields, including theology and philosophy, as well as the advancement of science and medicine. For today’s students, attending university means committing to a journey of education and innovation.

Whether you’re planning to study in a red brick, ancient, or civic university, finding the right accommodation is just as important. With Casita, you can explore student accommodation near some of the UK’s most historic campuses. Explore universities and experience what they have to offer.