The oldest universities in England are the largest centers of culture and science, masterpieces of architecture and modern infrastructure. The campuses of the oldest universities are full of history and traditions; more than one generation of prominent British personalities studied there. By choosing a university from the list of the oldest, you can study in the classrooms that were once attended by Charles Darwin, Oscar Wilde, Alexander Milne, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and many others. The chamber atmosphere of such places is very inspiring, isn't it?
TOP-10 of the oldest British universities
- Oxford University
- University of Cambridge
- University of St Andrews
- University of Glasgow
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- University College London
- Durham University
- University of Aberystwyth.
The skeleton of a professor, Oxford snobs and Scottish Hogwarts - the history of the oldest universities in Britain
Oxford University
The most prestigious university began its history almost a thousand years ago. The year of foundation is considered to be 1096, but in fact, the exact date of the opening of a higher educational institution is no longer clear. Oxford is recognized as the oldest university not only in Britain, but also in the English-speaking world.
- Number of students: 23195
- Notable Students: Albert Einstein, Adam Smith, Bill Clinton, Oscar Wilde
- Place in the world QS rank: 6 in the world
- Interesting fact: the word "snob" originated in Oxford - it was originally an abbreviated form of the Latin "sine nobilitate", which translates as "no nobility."
Cambridge university
A respected university in England was opened in 1209 and immediately became a competitor to Oxford. There was a century-old struggle between the two educational institutions for the title of the best university in the country. According to legend, Cambridge was even founded by a group of Oxford scolars who did not share something in Oxford.
- Number of students: 19,955
- Notable Students: Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, James Watson
- QS world rank: 5
- An interesting fact: the university has a traditional student fun that is not approved by the administration - climbing the college buildings at night.
University of St Andrews
The oldest university in Scotland was founded in 1410 by representatives of the Augustinian community. Today St. Andrews has three colleges and the oldest scenic campus, one of the most beautiful on this list. The architecture of the university reminds everyone of the well-known school of wizards Hogwarts. The Scottish University is known for its alumni, including Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton.
- Number of students: 10330
- Notable Students: Rudyard Kipling
- QS world rank: 92
- Fun Fact: Kate Middleton and Prince William started dating while still students of St Andrews!
Glasgow University
The educational institution was founded in 1451 by a papal charter in addition to the city cathedral. As a cultural center, the university played a key role during the Enlightenment in Scotland during the 18th century. Its alumni have made a great contribution to world science, art and society: among them are economist Adam Smith, engineer James Watt, actor Gerard Butler and others.
- Number of students: 28615
- Notable Students: Sir William Ramsey
- Place in the world QS ranking: 65.
University of Aberdeen
In 1495 a law school was opened in Aberdeen, which was destined to grow into one of the largest and most influential educational institutions in Britain. The campus of the university was designed taking into account the examples of the architecture of Parisian educational institutions.
- Number of students: 14510
- Notable Students: Ian Glen, George Thomson
- QS world rank: 158
- An interesting fact: newcomers to the university have to carry a student mascot - a bull named Angus.
Edinburgh University
Since its inception, the University of Edinburgh has established itself as one of the best universities in the country. The campus of the university is a mix of modern and historical buildings. The literary direction is traditionally considered to be strong: among the alumni are James Clerk Maxell, Thomas Bayes. Charles Darwin was especially lucky - after all, he studied at two of the oldest universities in Britain!
- Number of students: 36491
- Notable Students: Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Darwin
- QS world rank: 23
- Interesting fact: Winston Churchill was the rector of the university in 1929.
University of Manchester
The educational institution is part of the famous Russell Group and has always been respected both in the academic world and among students. Among the graduates and working at the university there are 25 Nobel laureates who have glorified the university all over the world.
- Number of students: 40490
- Notable Students: Anthony Burgess, Benedict Cumberbatch
- Place in the world ranking QS: 34.
University College London
University College London was founded in 1826 as London University and quickly became a worthy alternative to Oxford and Cambridge. Today, the educational institution is one of the best educational institutions in the world, and among its graduates are Mahatma Gandhi, Francis Crick, members of the famous musical group Coldplay.
- Number of students: 37905
- Notable Students: Alexander Bell, Chris Martin
- QS world rank: 7
- An interesting fact: Professor Jeremy Bantam ordered to fulfill a specific will after death - his skeleton is still in the university, dressed in clothes, and instead of a head there is a wax copy. The professor ordered to embalm his head, and to this day it is kept in a special room. They don't even think about removing the embalmed mummy!
Durham University
Founded in 1832, the university is regularly included in the top 100 best educational institutions in the world. The Faculty of History is considered particularly strong. A visit to Durham University will leave a lasting impression - there are 60 beautiful and historic buildings on campus.
- Number of students: 18385
- Notable Students: Jane Eyre Actor Andrew Buckan
- Place in the world ranking QS: 78.
University of Aberystwyth
The university was founded on the site of an unfinished hotel, which was bought by the owner of the local railway, who decided to build a university on this site. In the year of foundation, the university accepted only 26 students, and today more than 8000 people from all over the world study here.
- Number of students: 8455
- Notable Students: Prince Charles, Nobel Laureate Frederic Sodi
- Place in the world QS rank: 480-491
- Interesting fact: in 2009, university students broke the unusual Guinness record for "The largest crowd of people in shorts." But the record was broken just two years later at the festival in Utah, which is called - "Jogging in underwear."
