Number of universities in Western Europe by time period and region 800-1799
It is believed that the first university established in Western Europe was the Schola Medica Salernitana, a medical school founded in the 9th century in Salerno, Italy. It was not until the 12th century when more universities began to appear in Western Europe, with the regions of present-day France, Germany, and Italy having the largest number of institutions.
The University of Bologna, Italy, is considered the oldest university in continuous operation until today - originally founded as a place of non-religious teaching in 1088, it was then organized into a law school in the 1180s. The second and third oldest institutions today are the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England, with both being founded in the early-13th century, although Oxford (similar to Bologna) was also a place of learning from the late 11th century.
The University of Bologna, Italy, is considered the oldest university in continuous operation until today - originally founded as a place of non-religious teaching in 1088, it was then organized into a law school in the 1180s. The second and third oldest institutions today are the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England, with both being founded in the early-13th century, although Oxford (similar to Bologna) was also a place of learning from the late 11th century.
