1
University of Al-Qarawiyyin
- Year Founded
- 859
- Location
- Fes, Morocco

This ranking highlights the longest-running ancient academic institutions globally that maintain historical continuity, architectural heritage, or academic significance today. Rankings are based on historical longevity, continuity of education, and enduring cultural impact.
Ancient academies are not just cradles of knowledge but living fossils of civilization. Chinese academies dominate the list, reflecting the deep-rooted Confucian commitment to academic inheritance. Some institutions, such as the University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, are officially recognized as the world's oldest degree-granting institutions, enduring over a millennium of religious and academic evolution.
| Rank | Academy Name | Year Founded | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Al-Qarawiyyin | 859 | Fes, Morocco |
| 2 | University of Bologna | 1088 | Bologna, Italy |
| 3 |
Yingtianfu Academy |
1009 |
| Shangqiu, China |
| 4 | Yuelu Academy | 976 | Changsha, China |
| 5 | Songyang Academy | 1035 | Dengfeng, China |
| 6 | Bailudong Academy | 940 | Lushan, China |
| 7 | University of Oxford | 1096 | Oxford, UK |
| 8 | University of Salamanca | 1218 | Salamanca, Spain |
| 9 | University of Padua | 1222 | Padua, Italy |
| 10 | University of Cambridge | 1209 | Cambridge, UK |
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